Old Dogs Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Old Dogs" offers a commendable 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that preserves Jeffrey Kimball's distinct visual style, characterized by deep blacks and impressive shadow detail. Colors are vibrant and primary hues are rendered with a high level of clarity, though the film's overall orange-ish skintones suggest an overzealous approach to contrast leveling that might detract some viewers. Detail retention is strong, particularly in well-lit scenes, showcasing clean edge definition and refined textures. Notable is the accurate reproduction of small details, from the tidy stitches on suits to the intricate fur on Green's gorilla. However, minor lapses such as occasional source noise and soft shots do appear, which seems more attributable to Kimball's original photography rather than Disney's transfer work.

Despite a few technical drawbacks, like some blown-out whites in exterior scenes and sporadic aliasing in finer patterns, the transfer largely succeeds in delivering a consistently sharp and film-like experience. The presentation does suffer slightly from some pervasive bronzed skin tones, creating a spray-tanned appearance that some viewers might find distracting. Additionally, while artifacting, banding, edge enhancement, and other artifacts are blissfully absent, a few specks of noise remain visible, somewhat marring the otherwise polished consistency of the image. Nevertheless, for fans of the film, this Blu-ray maintains a high standard of visual fidelity and should satisfy those looking for a detailed and vibrant viewing experience.

In summary, "Old Dogs" on Blu-ray achieves a robust visual presentation with notable sharpness and texture refinement, balanced by some minor inconsistencies. While it may not revolutionize home viewing experiences, it effectively captures the film’s intended aesthetic within the exaggerated comedic framework.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release for "Old Dogs" features a dynamic and robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that delivers a lively and immersive experience. The dialogue is consistently clear and well-prioritized, allowing for easy comprehension amidst a variety of sound effects. Surround channels are utilized extensively, providing an engaging and encompassing sound field that effectively places ambient noises, such as those found in campouts and busy restaurants, in the appropriate spatial context. The LFE output is substantial, lending the necessary heft to highlight the dramatic pratfalls, jetpacks, and action sequences throughout the film. However, it occasionally overpowers other elements within the mix.

The sound design, while bold and assertive, leans towards the caricatured nature of the film's genre, with directionality and panning appearing somewhat artificial at times. This heightened effect works to amplify the comedic elements but can also verge on inducing fatigue due to its abrasive intensity. Notably, the deep growls and other exaggerated effects, such as an exploding clay pigeon and lunging penguins, contribute to a soundscape that is both convincing and unrelenting in its forward momentum. The soundtrack’s integration into the surround channels promotes a richly layered aural atmosphere, although John Debney's musical score can occasionally feel either overbearing or underwhelming.

Overall, Disney's lossless audio presentation manages to impress with its powerful dynamics and precise directionality despite the occasional limitations inherent to its genre. While it might not be the most refined audio experience available, it undoubtedly fulfills its purpose with an engaging and potent mix that will satisfy enthusiastic viewers of the film.

The Blu Ray release of "Old Dogs" boasts an array of high-definition extras, though their quality leaves much to be desired. Despite containing a robust suite of supplemental materials, the content generally fails to elevate the experience. The audio commentary by Director Walt Becker, Producer Andrew Panay, and writers David Diamond & David Weissman notably underdelivers, marked by awkward silences and shallow insights. Deleted scenes and alternate endings offer little in terms of additional value, while brief featurettes including interviews and bloopers contribute minimally to the overall enjoyment. Nevertheless, all features are presented in HD, which is a modest advantage for avid collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary with Director Walt Becker, Producer Andrew Panay, and writers David Diamond & David Weissman: The commentary is largely unengaging.
• Deleted Scenes: Includes two scenes and an alternate ending.
• Young Dogs Learn New Tricks: Short interviews with the child actors.
• Music Videos: Performances by Bryan Adams and the Travoltas.
• Bloopers: Contains a few mild laughs.
• BD-Live: Online functionality.
• Digital Copy
• DVD Disk

In "Old Dogs," directed by Walt Becker, John Travolta and Robin Williams star as Charlie and Dan, longtime friends and co-owners of a sports marketing firm. Their professional success starkly contrasts with their personal lives, as both are single and grappling with mid-life crises. The plot kicks off when Dan, who is reeling from a divorce, discovers that a past fling with Vicki (Kelly Preston) resulted in twins, who he now has to care for as Vicki faces a brief jail sentence. The film attempts to blend slapstick humor with heartfelt moments but often falls into the territory of cringeworthy gags and predictable clichés.

The performances by Travolta and Williams, while energetic, feel over-the-top and strained. The actors rely heavily on exaggerated expressions and physical comedy, diminishing the potential for genuine humor or emotional depth. One notable sequence involves a medication mix-up leading to bizarre side effects like facial paralysis and impaired depth perception, which, instead of providing humor, only adds to the film's absurdity. Seth Green, although talented, is underutilized, while cameos from actors like Matt Dillon and Justin Long offer brief but fleeting relief.

The screenplay is marred by offensive jokes and tasteless humor that seem out of place in a family-oriented film. Scenes involving outdated stereotypes and unsuitable situational comedy undermine any attempt at delivering meaningful life lessons about fatherhood and responsibility. For instance, the film features an unfortunate sequence with poorly executed virtual reality-based humor and another involving hostile penguins, both of which fail to resonate. Ultimately, "Old Dogs" struggles to find its footing, resulting in a disjointed narrative that neither entertains nor engages its audience meaningfully.

The Blu-ray edition of "Old Dogs" is a mixed bag, blending exceptional technical presentation with lackluster content. Disney has indeed done a commendable job on the audiovisual front. The video transfer is snazzy, offering vibrant, crisp visuals that showcase the film’s lively color palette. The DTS-HD Master Audio track delivers a robust and immersive auditory experience, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail in both audio and video streams which Blu-ray enthusiasts will appreciate.

Despite its strong technical execution, "Old Dogs" falters significantly in terms of content. The humor feels forced and often falls flat, contributing to a narrative that can be best described as unwieldy and contrived. Seth Green’s plight as the poster boy, ensnared by a gorilla, embodies the overall cumbersome and tasteless nature of the film. Moreover, the supplemental package is decidedly underwhelming. The DVD Disc and Digital Copy Disc are appreciated additions, but the bonus features, especially the commentary track, do little to enhance the viewing experience or provide valuable insights.

In conclusion, while "Old Dogs" excels in its video and audio quality, the film itself leaves much to be desired. Although it might be worth a rental for a casual viewing, its uninspired comedy and subpar bonus features make a purchase difficult to justify. For those who prioritize technical presentation over content, this Blu-ray could still be a consideration. However, for many, simply being warned may suffice to steer clear.