The D Train Blu-ray Review

The 1080p transfer of "The D Train" stands as a technically proficient yet somewhat understated visual representation. The film's aesthetic leans towards a warm, diffuse appearance, bringing with it a soft texturing that might not dazzle but is commendably maintained. Details in the video are adequate though not commanding, offering fine textures in elements such as clothing and facial features—revealing stitches, pores, and stubble with satisfactory precision. While the softer strokes leave some background elements lacking in crispness, environments like homes, offices, and restaurants maintain acceptable visual clarity. Colors, primarily influenced by a pervasive warmth, manage to deliver vibrant primary hues in brighter scenes. Black levels stay within expected norms, ensuring no concerns arise regarding noise, banding, or macroblocking.

The AVC MPEG-4 rendering by Paramount presents a clean transfer that captures the movie's essence. Solid contrast and bold colors are complemented by excellent detail levels. The subtle addition of grain slightly enhances textural fidelity, bringing fabrics and upholstery authentically to life within its crafted warm glow. Black levels are sufficiently rich, with consistent primary hues providing visual engagement, while flesh tones are portrayed with stability and natural accuracy. Close-ups effectively accentuate facial stubble and defined features without overshadowing background details that remain pretty discernible. Shadow delineation is efficiently managed with no visible crush or banding issues present, ensuring a pure viewing experience from start to finish.

Overall, the Blu-ray transfer succeeds in delivering a competent visual experience, characterized by a balance of warmth, detail, and clarity, though lacking the eye-popping brilliance expected by some viewers.

"The D Train" Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that offers a technically proficient yet straightforward auditory experience. The sound presentation provides satisfying music with good front-end spacing, occasional surround pushes, and a well-balanced low end. Atmospheric details are effectively incorporated, creating immersive environments, particularly in scenes situated within an airplane, restaurant, and bar. However, the track is primarily dialogue-focused, showcasing efficient clarity and natural front-center positioning of spoken words. Light reverberation appears in select instances, adding a touch of depth without overshadowing the main audio elements.

While robust bass adds depth to the track, its fidelity and tonal fullness enhance the overall listening experience. Surround activity is generally limited but includes moments of directionality that broaden the auditory landscape, complemented by ambient sounds that contribute to an enveloping feel. The soundtrack effectively fills the space, but it's the clear and intelligible dialogue that anchors the audio experience in "The D Train." Absent of distortion and surface defects, the track offers a smooth and reliable audio performance. Despite not reaching spectacular heights, this competent presentation supports the film's narrative effectively.

The Blu-ray release of "The D Train" offers a limited selection of extras, focusing primarily on light-hearted and humorous content. The Gag Reel is a standard compilation of amusing blunders and unscripted antics, providing a brief but entertaining glimpse behind the scenes. The Deleted Scenes, though mostly inconsequential, offer eight snippets, with only one carrying notable narrative weight. While not expansive, these extras provide a charming addition to the film's home release. A digital copy voucher is also included, enhancing accessibility for viewers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Gag Reel: A collection of bloopers and improvisations that deliver moments of humor.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes eight cut sequences, with minimal impact on the overall story.

"The D Train" is a film that attempts to blend comedy and drama through the journey of its central character, Dan Landsman (played by Jack Black). Despite its promising premise and a strong cast, the film falters in delivering a coherent narrative. As an unremarkable high school outsider, Dan takes on the mission of organizing his class's 20th reunion. Spotting a former popular classmate, Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), in a TV commercial reignites his desire to gain recognition. Dan believes getting Oliver to attend the reunion will solve his social insecurities. However, this seemingly comedic setup spirals into unnecessary complexity, drifting from its core theme of acceptance into an implausible scenario that fails to sustain audience engagement.

The narrative tiptoes between being a dark human interest story and a comedic exploration of insecurity, yet it often undermines itself with overwrought circumstances and an over-reliance on shock value. The chemistry between Black and Marsden shows potential during moments of vulnerability and humor, but the film's shift into unfamiliar territory disrupts any genuine connection with the audience. Directors Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul explore themes of jealousy and identity, but their handling is uneven, resulting in more incredulity than laughs. Jeffrey Tambor, playing Dan's boss, shines with comedic relief, grounding some of the film's unrealistic turns with genuine humor.

While Jack Black gives a spirited performance full of energy and emotion, "The D Train" struggles under the weight of a misguided script that alienates rather than endears. The decision to introduce an unnecessary sexual element detracts from the film's potential insights into personal evolution and self-acceptance. Instead, "The D Train" finds itself derailed by narrative choices that feel engineered for shock rather than substance, ultimately sacrificing both depth and authenticity.

"The D Train" presents a commendable ensemble cast, including Jack Black, James Marsden, Kathryn Hahn, and Jeffrey Tambor, yet struggles under the weight of an unfocused narrative. The film ambitiously strives for a blend of dark humor and astute character exploration but ultimately delivers an erratic mix. It neither achieves the comedic flair nor the dramatic depth it aims for, failing to carve out a unique identity amidst its class reunion comedy predecessors like "Grosse Pointe Blank" and "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion."

Despite occasional humorous moments, the effort is often undercut by a second-rate script that becomes increasingly convoluted and unsettling as the story progresses. The narrative momentarily captivates but eventually devolves into a jumbled character study, detracting from its initial promise and leaving an unpleasant aftertaste. Paramount’s Blu-ray offers quality video and audio presentations but falls short in the extras department, offering sparse additional content.

In conclusion, "The D Train" is overshadowed by its own ambitions and its inability to decisively choose between its comedic and dramatic pursuits. While the Blu-ray technical presentation is commendable, the lack of substantial supplementary material mirrors the film’s overall lack of development. Ultimately, unless you are an ardent fan of the cast, particularly Jack Black, or a collector of all things Paramount, this might be one train you'll want to miss. Consider renting before deciding to buy.