Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Lance Clayton (Robin Williams) learns that fame and fortune may not always be the key to happiness when in the wake of a freak accident his lifelong dream of being a famous writer comes to fruition, but at what cost?

Written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, World's Greatest Dad is one of the most offensive films I've had the displeasure of watching in a long time. It's only redeeming quality is the performance of Robin Williams, whose role as an unpopular poetry teacher and failed father is very convincing, unfortunately the supporting characters are as likable as Osama Bin Laden.

This is my first experience with a Magnolia film and if all its video presentations look this good, I'll have to check out more of their films. Close-ups are very revealing and highly detailed, contrast is stable and consistent, and black levels are respectable. Longer shots retain sharpness and color saturation is lifelike and stable.

The sound design is rather bland but fits the subject matter and the DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack doesn't disappoint. The dialog is always intelligible with some nice pans across the front speakers. The surround channels have some subtle ambience befitting each particular scene, but rarely offer anything earth-shattering.

Extra's include a feature length commentary with Bobcat Goldthwait, a couple of behind-the-scenes featurettes, outtakes, deleted scenes, and a music video by the Deadly Syndrome.

The message in the film tries to be deep and profound, but comes across as contrived and heavy-handed. The presentation is solid, but I can't in good conscience recommend the film given the depressing subject matter and unlikable characters. Skip it.

Release Date: December 8, 2009

Studio: Magnolia

Movie: 3/10

Picture: 9/10

Sound: 8/10

Review System

Source

Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player

Display

JVC DLA-RS1 projector

Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics

Onkyo Pro PR-SC885 pre/pro

Anthem PVA-7 power amplifier

Belkin PF60 power conditioner

Speakers

M&K S-150s (L, C, R)

M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)

SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables

Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)

Best Deal analog-audio cables

PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector

Acoustical treatments from GIK Acoustics