The Film
An all girl band in the time of glam rock sets the stage for The Runaways as it appears on Blu-ray. Joan Jett leads the charge in this rock and roll biopic that covers the short-lived run of one of the first female bands as they rehearse and tour the U.S. and Asia before the typical clash of egos beaks them apart. The band was together just long enough to give the 15-year-olds drug habits, of course.
Don't miss a beat; you can also check out David Kempler's review of The Runaways.
The Picture
In this day of high definition, sequences of drug use and stardom are portrayed with a sharper picture and not so much of the notalgic blur of yesterday. A glittery, saturated picture represents a few trips, and we're not talking about the Japan tour the band went on before returning to the states to record a new album. Other scenes, which take place circa 1975 and later, have a sharp, yet washed out look in this 2.35:1 1080p picture. Skin tones appear a little pinkish under the layers of eye shadow on all the characters.
The Sound
The Runaways uses sound levels to show the difference between average teen life in 1970s Los Angeles and the exciting life of a rock star. On the Blu-ray the sound levels have a little too much contrast between dialog and club scenes. In a few instances it's difficult to hear the dialog, then in the next scene you may find yourself reaching for the remote to turn the volume back down. It would do a service to bring some of the slower dialog parts up a tick.
The Extras
It's not often you find the subject of your biopic alive and interested in getting hands-on with the film, but The Runaways, which was based on the book written by real life band member Cherie Currie, has both Joan Jett and Cherie Currie on set working with the lead actresses. The quantity of extras is not extraordinary, commentary and a making-of feature, yet the participation of the two original band members adds value to the limited number of extras.
Final Thoughts
While Cherie Currie survived rehab and went on to council teens about substance abuse, the film is no PSA against drugs. If anything it glamorizes the events to err on the side of romanticism rather than reality. A few star-packed extras gives some insight into how two young actresses got into character for the film. Worth a rental at least, the Blu-ray will certainly appeal to fans of rock and roll or really anyone who wonders what young Kristen Stewart (and Dakota Fanning, for that matter) can do when not surrounded by packs of vampires and wolves.
Product Details
Where to Buy:
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Video | |
| Audio | |
| Movie | |
| Extras |
