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The Movie:
"Rudy" was one of those films that passed through theaters quickly, but has gained a following on video. After sitting down to watch it for the first time with this DVD edition, I must say that I enjoyed it quite a bit. Inspirational without becoming sappy, the film is well-written, well-acted and genuinely emotional.
The film revolves around a young man named Rudy Ruettiger, whose dream is to play football at Notre Dame. Everyone tells him that he's too short, doesn't have the grades, and the list goes on and on. Things don't go the way he wants, and he finds himself working and with a girlfriend (Lili Taylor). Slowly but surely, things suddenly begin to go his way.
Elements of the film certainly have been seen before, but the performances are natural and engaging and the dialogue is enjoyable. It's unfortunate that Sean Astin hasn't really done anything since this film, because his performance here is quite good. He makes the audience believe that he will simply stop at nothing to reach the goal, and we believe him. He doesn't go for a showy performance, and keeps the character real.
There are a few moments where the film drags a bit, but Astin's performance keeps the viewer invested, and we care about whether or not he'll reach his goal in the end, which of course, in a "true story" film like this, the outcome is pretty predictable. Jerry Goldsmith's score is also emotional without pounding the audience over the head with the dramatic moments. All-in-all a really good movie.
The DVD
VIDEO: Tristar's anamorphic transfer for "Rudy" does have some minor faults that pop up now and then, but the majority of the picture looks clean and clear. In other words, the usual that we've come to expect from the studio, whether a new release, or a film that's a few years old, or a older classic. Here, sharpness is pretty good; some scenes look better than others, but the majority of the movie looks well-defined. Detail is good, and clarity is fine, with the slight exception of a few dark scenes.
Flaws are very minor; the picture displays some very slight marks on the print used now and then, but these instances are brief and not a consistent problem throughout the film. There are also a couple of instances of shimmering, but these are also not a distraction.
Colors are particularly successful; they look great during the majority of the film, natural and bold, like the green of the grass or the colors of the uniforms. There are a few little problems here, but the majority of "Rudy" looks excellent.
SOUND: The film's Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is a very pleasing one, and although it's not consistently active, it does have elements to appreciate in the quieter moments. Jerry Goldsmith's score is incredibly well-done, and sounds fantastic on this DVD, where it fills the listening space very well.
Surprisingly, surrounds occasionally get moderately effective use, especially during the more intense sequences such as the football games or the accident at the plant in chapter 6. Even in some of the quieter moments, they offer some good ambient sounds such as birds chirping. Dialogue is clear and crisp. A good soundtrack.
MENUS:: The film's menus are pretty basic and non-animated.
EXTRAS: Although the extra features here aren't bad on their own, they are slightly less than the "special" edition that the disc's cover boasts.
The Real Rudy: A 12 minute featurette with the real "Rudy" behind the story, who shares his feelings about the events that are shown in the story.
Original Featurette: A very short promotional featurette that has interviews with the actors and crew.
First Down With Sean Astin: A short interview with the actor, who talks about the appeal of the movie and what it was like to film the football sequences.
Also: Trailers for "Brians Song" and "Jerry Maguire"; talent files and isolated score (Dolby Digital 5.1).
Final Thoughts: Although it's not much of a "special edition", the presentation in terms of audio/video quality is good, and the movie is certainly great. "Rudy" is recommended.
Film Grade
The Film A-
DVD Grades
Video 87/B = (348/400 possible points)
Audio: 89/B+ = (356/400 possible points)
Extras: 80/B- = (240/300 possible points)
Menus: 75/C = (150/200 possible points)
Value: 82/B = (246/300 possible points)
TOTAL POINTS:1340/1600
DVD GRADE:B/83%
FILM GRADE: A-
DVD GRADE: B
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