7 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Big-hearted Chicago family man Chet has brought his family to a lakeside resort area, and although his wife and kids aren't quite as excited as he is, Chet has high hopes for the vacation. However, his optimism is sabotaged when his obnoxious brother-in-law Roman drops in unexpectedly, along with his snooty, strange family. Chet and his family try to stay open-minded, but they find it difficult to relax and enjoy themselves because of the constant annoyance of Roman's presence.
Starring: Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Stephanie Faracy, Annette Bening, Chris Young (I)Comedy | 100% |
Family | 16% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 2.0
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
Comedy hasn't been all that great since you passed. It's been in a big-time rut. Sure a few of the new laughers actually, y'know, make you laugh, but long gone are the days of your heyday, when movies like 'The Great Outdoors' delighted audiences with honest laughs, laughs made by your amazing screen presence, comedy grace, and perfect grasp of verbal timing married to physical prowess. Those mannerisms, those facial features...you could tell a story by standing there, sell a joke with a look, a swing of the arms, a hearty chuckle, make a movie simply with your name on the marquee. That name was a guarantee of quality. Nobody lit up the screen quite like you, John. Your catalogue of films stands as a reminder of Comedy's allure. You were the king of the mountain, the man by which most others of your kind were, are, and will continue to be compared. Thanks for the memories. You're missed, even after all these years.
Arrival.
The Great Outdoors' 1080p transfer isn't an eye-opener, nor is it a letdown. It's sometimes a little rough around the edges, appearing a bit overzealously processed in places where detailing in general, and skin textures in particular, is left a little smoothed down. However, the image satisfies more often than not. Light grain often hovers without much sense of intrusion. Details are never fully accentuating, but basics -- skin textures, fabrics, some of the more rustic wooden and accentuating objects around the frame -- pick up enough textural nuance to please. Colors are never punchy, more reserved than they are anything else, but basic natural greens, more brightly colored attire, and hues seen around town don't shirk away from duty. Black levels can be a bit overpowering. Shadowy corners exhibit crush, and a black bear seen at night is more globular than it is well defined. Flesh tones are a little pasty but not too far off track. Minor compression artifacts appear but rarely to any seriously distracting level. Visible print wear is evident, but negligible. This is a fair step up from the movie's standard definition DVD release, but it's not a revelation.
The Great Outdoors camps on Blu-ray with an effective DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is limited by its configuration and the source, but it presents the basics nicely enough. Music manages a fairly nice and wide spread to the sides rather than hunkering down towards the middle. It's rather active and robust, all things considered, with decent enough detailing through the score. Support effects, like driving rain, are a bit muddled, but the basic sonic shape is fine and delivery again seeps fairly wide across the front. The movie is mostly dialogue intensive, however, and there are no issues of note with its delivery. It's clear and detailed with a natural center imaging placement.
All that's included is the theatrical trailer for The Great Outdoors (480i, 1:42). No top menu is included. The trailer, as well as audio and subtitle options and chapter selections, must be accessed in-film via the pop-up menu.
The Great Outdoors doesn't stretch the Comedy medium, but it's a comfortable old favorite that offers up healthy laughs thanks to a fantastic cast, chiefly the pairing of John Candy and Dan Aykroyd. They're golden, and they elevate otherwise pedestrian Comedy material into a hugely enjoyable time waster, sprinkled with several classic moments. Universal's Blu-ray is most welcome, though it could stand a little bump in quality. Supplements are limited to a crummy-looking 480i trailer. Video isn't bad, but it's not great. Same with audio. Recommended, though only on the strength of the movie and a decent, but not serious, upgrade in picture over the DVD.
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