Young Rock: Season Two Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Young Rock: Season Two Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 18, 2023

Universal has released the second season of the hit TV show 'Young Rock.' The release features all twelve episodes on a single Blu-ray disc. Note that season one was released in March 2022 and is similarly structed to this release, though it did include a bonus episode whereas no supplements of any kind appear on this disc. The video and audio presentations are, as expected, essentially identical between the releases.

Official synopsis: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's hit coming-of-age comedy returns with more incredible stories from his formative years. Season two of 'Young Rock' continues to explore seminal chapters in Dwayne Johnson’s extraordinary life, from his early years growing up surrounded by wrestling icons in Hawaii, to his rebellious teen years navigating new surroundings in Nashville, to his early twenties playing in the Canadian Football League. Dwayne Johnson himself takes a look back on the memorable moments and remarkable people that helped shape him into the global superstar he is today.

Season two offers a straight continuation from season one in terms of both story and structure. The episodes hop along various timeframes with, of course, the story of Johnson's presidential aspirations -- now only two weeks away as the season begins -- cementing the journey through his youth and move into the young adult years. It looks at his flourishing wrestling career, life as a celebrity's child, and all of the formative characteristics that defined him growing up and which have shaped him not simply into a star and an aspiring political figure, but the likely next President of the United States. Despite the hopping from one timeline to another, the show always feels well considered and effortlessly structured; there's never any structural confusion because that present-day (near future) timeline always grounds the return trips into the various timeframes of Johnson's life. The stories are compelling, the narrative is rich, and the acting is excellent. This is another great season!

The following episodes comprise season two:

• Unprecedented Fatherhood: As the 2032 election nears, Dwayne reflects on what it means to be a father. In 1984, little Dewey vies for his father’s attention after Rocky becomes the WWF tag team champ. In 1987, teenage Dwayne arrives in Nashville to unexpected circumstances. In 1996, adult Dwayne struggles in the Canadian Football League.
• Seven Bucks: Calgary, 1996: Dwayne struggles to find his footing on the Calgary Stampeders practice squad. Fearing he'll be cut, he spends a life-changing day with a teammate where he gains a new perspective. In 2032, an online troll threatens Dwayne's presidential campaign.
• In Your Blood: Hawaii, 1984: As Lia prepares for her trial, she puts Ata in charge of her wrestling promotion and all the problems that come with it. Rocky begins to feel overshadowed by his partner, Tony Atlas. Dewey goes head-to-head with a new classmate who threatens his reputation.
• In the Dark: Nashville, 1987: Rocky promises he will find the family an apartment by the time Ata arrives from Hawaii, but the clock is ticking. Dwayne settles into his new Nashville life with the help of an old family friend, Downtown Bruno.
• What Business?: Tampa, 1995: With his football dreams dashed, Dwayne asks Rocky to train him to become a wrestler. Rocky begrudgingly agrees, but when Dwayne feels he isn't progressing, he secretly turns for outside help.
• Kiss and Release: Hawaii, 1984: When Dewey gets in trouble at school, Ata enlists the help of Andre the Giant to set him straight. Lia, on trial for extortion, attempts to curry favor with the jury.
• An Understanding: Nashville, 1987: Ata and Rocky's marriage hits a rough patch. When teenage Dwayne questions his dad’s decision making, Ata tells him the story of how she and Rocky met. In 2032, candidate Johnson decides to face his challenger head on.
• Corpus Christi: Texas, 1996: Dwayne gets an incredible opportunity: His first match will be for the WWF. After meeting legends and future legends backstage, he soon discovers there’s more to the match than just the moves: He needs to get a hostile audience to care.
• Backyard Brawl-B-Q: Hawaii, 1984: On the day of the Brawl-B-Q, Rocky's relationship with partner Tony Atlas hits a breaking point. Dewey becomes the object of multiple school crushes. Meanwhile, the extortion case against Lia reaches its conclusion.
• Rocky's Code: Nashville, 1987: Rocky takes a promising new wrestling job, but is faced with a difficult decision. Ata spends a night out with Miss Elizabeth. Teenage Dwayne starts to worry about his dad's health. In 2032, Dwayne seeks advice from an old friend.
• You Gotta Get Down to Get Up: Memphis, 1996: The WWF sends Dwayne to Memphis to develop his wrestling skills; when a booker bullies Downtown Bruno, Dwayne decides to fight back; in 2032, candidate Johnson's conflict with Dr. Julien comes to a head.
• Let the People Decide: In 2032, candidate Johnson rides the ups and downs of election day. In 1984, Rocky and Ata are at a crossroads with their futures in wrestling. In 1987, teenage Dwayne learns that the family is leaving Nashville. In 1996, Dwayne's rise through the WWF doesn't go as planned.

Young Rock: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Universal's 1080p Blu-ray presentation of Young Rock: Season Two delights. The picture quality is stable throughout all of the timeframes, offering clean, organic digital imagery that offers near showcase levels of fine detail and clarity. Period attire and accents, complex facial features, hair, and natural environments all demonstrate superb command and offer complex and accessible detailing. The picture holds steadily clear and well defined in every second. Colors are rich and robust, offering bold splashes and healthy warm and reserved tones alike. Flesh tones are alive, black level depth is excellent, and whites are bright and bold. Some source noise is in evidence here and there, but such is not overtly problematic, Better, there are no blatantly obvious encode artifacts, either. This is a very well-rounded presentation from Universal.

Young Rock: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Universal's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is beholden to the show's sound design, which is fairly basic. That does not mean that this is not a rich audio experience. It's very capable, but it's also simply a product of simple sound design. Dialogue is the main focus here, and it flows with faultless clarity from a natural front-center location. Musical engagement satisfies for spacing (mostly along the front) and clarity, both of which are aided by a nice, albeit grounded, subwoofer extension. The track is never wildly immersive or fully engaged in the surround channels, but the presentation does offer some filter through the back, mostly to help build and define ambient location details.

Young Rock: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Young Rock: Season Two contains no supplemental content. The main menu screen offers only episode listing and brief setup options. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This release does not ship with a slipcover.

Young Rock: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Young Rock's second season is a straight continuation of the story (or stories, as the timeline case may be) established in season one. And that is a good thing. the flow from season to season is seamless, and the entertainment value and dramatic content alike play in perfect harmony with season one. The Blu-ray, too, is a straight continuation, offering practically identical video and audio qualities. Recommended.