The Film
The sports genre is riddled with underdog stories. We get attached to the players, cheer for them from the sidelines, and (typically) they overcome the odds.
In some ways, Moneyball is the typical cinematic Cinderella story. However, the difference here is that the film is focused on the action off the field and behind the scenes. And that's just one of the reasons that it's so darn interesting.
Brad Pitt stars as Billy Beane, the financially challenged general manager of the Oakland Athletics. He's finding it increasingly hard to compete with the overblown budgets in the MLB. During a trade meeting, he's introduced to Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), an economist with the gift of looking at players as a math problem. Naturally, he's good at math problems.
What ensues is a gamble that changed the game of baseball -- at least for some. It may also change the way people view Hill as an actor. He plays a fictional character that's actually based on former assistant GM Paul DePodesta. Even though he's better known for comedic roles, Hill pulls off this serious one quite beautifully, and has a great on-screen rapport with Pitt. Philip Seymour Hoffman is a blip as A's manager Art Howe. However, Hoffman is in the movie; how can you not mention that? Naturally, the real show is Pitt, who gives the real-life GM more than just a pretty face.
Based on the best-selling book by Michael Lewis, Moneyball is a home run filled with Oscar bait. It also doesn't hurt that the roster includes director Bennett Miller (Capote) and screenwriters Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin.
Looking for the MVP of movie reviewers? Check out Karen Dahlstrom's theatrical review of Moneyball.
The Picture
For the most part, Moneyball features a surprisingly dark color palette. However, it manages to deliver those dark colors beautifully, without an ounce of crush. Not to worry; there are plenty of bright images and bold colors throughout, most notably on the field, of course. One soft shot of Brad Pitt aside, the film is incredibly sharp. There's a good layer of grain, but it never interferes with the great details on Pitt's face and hair. Also, the ballpark scenery, as well as the players' uniforms and faces, all look wonderful. This is a huge title for Sony, and the studio can be insanely proud of this 1.85:1 transfer.
The Sound
Despite being a sports movie, Moneyball is very dialogue-heavy. Remember that it's more about what goes on in baseball from behind-the-scenes. That said, there's nice atmospheric sound here. Viewers will also be treated to a little action on the field. For those moments, expect to hear the roar of the crowds, music, and other sounds of the game in its full surround glory.
The Extras
Moneyball comes packing a fair collection of extras. For such a big title, we were expecting a tad bit more, but this set goes for quality over quantity. Most notably, there are featurettes on adapting the book and the real-life Billy Beane. There's also "Moneyball: Playing the Game," which covers some of the production process. Without a doubt, those three are the meatiest of the lot. It's also worth mentioning that even though Sony was kind enough to include the UltraViolet digital copy in this single-disc set, there's a 2-disc set with the standard-def DVD version of the film.
Final Thoughts
Will Brad Pitt finally snag that Oscar? Considering this year's contenders, that could be a bigger gamble than the whole concept behind Moneyball. That said, the guy delivers an award-worthy performance, with a great collection of backup players. This one is well worth the price of admission, with a great story and image that will please sports and non-sports fans alike.
Product Details
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