Seabiscuit on Blu-ray Disc Review
By Rachel Cericola
The Film
Hot on the heels/hooves of this year's Preakness comes the Blu-ray release of
Seabiscuit, an insanely sad (but uplifting) story set in the Great Depression.
Of course, Hollywood doesn't make a lot of happy movies that deal with the Depression. Still, between the market crash, starvation and joblessness, there was one shiny, four-legged light; the little pony that could, better known as Seabiscuit. This story tells some of the horse's tale, but mainly focuses on three other underdogs: a jockey (Tobey Maguire), a businessman (Jeff Bridges) and a horse trainer/whisperer (Chris Cooper).
The movie is almost two-and-a-half hours. That's probably about two hours more than you want hear about horses without placing your bets. Still, the film does have more excitement than a Saturday at OTB.
It's also got great acting, including a very entertaining William H. Macy, and might even make you cry like a baby in some parts. What more do you need? Whether you love to play or ride the ponies, this feel-good story is a must-see.
Looking for more on this magnificent beast? Check out Joe Lozito's review of the theatrical release of
Seabiscuit.
The Picture
From Maguire's eyes and bright red hair to the film's rustic colors, this release is definitely demo-worthy. Of course, the best part is the magnificent beast who headlines, as well as all of his horse buddies; they are downright beautiful, bold, and a bit too lifelike in some spots. There's also plenty of detail, with dirt and fists flying, tons of green grass, and all of the fancy wear that you'd only find during a day at the races. Overall, though, we couldn't find one thing wrong with this 2.35:1 transfer.
The Sound
Ever wonder what it was like to be trampled by horses? This DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack will hopefully be the closest you'll ever get. Sure, the dialogue is nice and clear, but the film's race scenes will get your heart and surrounds pumping. There's also plenty of action off the track, including the church scene and the sound of Seabiscuit's bell, which will ring loud through all of your speakers.
The Extras
There really isn't anything new in this Blu-ray release, but wow wee -- do you really need more? Aside from the standard, yet interesting, making-of short, make sure to catch the
multiple featurettes that talk about the actual Seabiscuit, as well as the peek of portraits that semi-pro shutterbug Bridges took while on the set.
Final Thoughts
Secretariat, Mr. Ed and even Trigger have nothing on this Blu-ray winner.
Seabiscuit scores the trifecta: a great image, great sound and a solid set of extras. Don't forget the acting and story too, which is nothing to sneeze at. Saddle up with this entry; it's in for a long ride in your setup.
Where to Buy:
Product Details
- Actors: Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Banks, Gary Stevens, William H. Macy
- Director: Gary Ross
- Audio/Languages: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (English), DTS 5.1 (French, Spanish), Dolby Digital 2.0 (English)
- Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
- Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
- Region: A
- Number of Discs: 1
- Rating: PG-13
- Studio: Universal Pictures
- Blu-ray Disc Release Date: May 26, 2009
- Run Time: 141 minutes
- List Price: $29.98
- Extras:
- Feature Commentary with Director Gary Ross and Filmmaker Steven Soderbergh
- Bringing the Legend to Life: The Making of Seabiscuit
- Anatomy of a Movie Moment
- Seabiscuit: Racing Through History
- Photo Finish: Jeff Bridges' On the Set Photographs
- The Longshot: A Special Message from Buick
- Seabiscuit vs. War Admiral: The 1938 Match Race
- Winner's Circle: The Heroes Behind the Legend
- HBO First Look
- A&E's True Story of Seabiscuit
- BD Live
