Fever Pitch Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation of "Fever Pitch" leaves much to be desired, displaying signs of a dated master likely reused from its DVD release. The frequent haloing around hard outlines suggests notable edge enhancement, which might go unnoticed in standard definition but becomes distractingly harsh in 1080p, giving the picture an unnatural quality. While the digital noise reduction is not overly aggressive—thankfully dodging clay-like faces and preserving some film grain—the unnecessary sharpening detracts significantly from the overall visual appeal. Clarity is marginally better than the DVD, with improved recognition of facial and clothing textures, but the increase in detail isn't enough to justify the upgrade for existing DVD owners.

Color reproduction in this release is another weak point. The hues fail to maintain solid and vivid appearances, with reds appearing fuzzy and blues looking dingy. Whites come off as dull, while blacks suffer from severe crush, eradicating fine details and making scenes seem lifeless and flat. This detracts greatly from the experience, as the intended bright, clean rom-com aesthetic is lost in a sea of muted and poorly defined colors. Highlight scenes, such as those at Niagara Falls or the ball field, lack the sharpness one would expect from a high-definition transfer.

Additional issues include persistent black crush that absorbs surrounding objects and diminishes depth, alongside noticeable haloing and a sporadic debris field. Overall, textures on this disc are subpar, failing to capture the intricate details expected from a Blu-ray release. In summary, while this offering does improve slightly over the DVD version in terms of clarity, it falls short of delivering an impressive HD experience due to its numerous visual shortcomings.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Fever Pitch" is surprisingly robust for a mid-2000s romantic comedy. Featuring a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix, the track meets and at times exceeds expectations for its genre. The dynamics are generally understated, with the rear channels often remaining quiet but effectively springing to life for key ambience moments—particularly the energetic crowd noises at the baseball stadiums. The mix ensures that dialogue remains clean and balanced, which is crucial for the film's comedic and romantic elements. Additionally, the mix includes French and Spanish dubs in Dolby Digital 5.1, with optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles.

On a more granular level, the soundtrack notably benefits from this lossless audio format. The clarity in musical sequences, like a rousing rendition of "Sweet Caroline," adds an unexpected layer of enjoyment, while even minor sound effects—such as Barrymore’s distinct seagull impressions—stand out with newfound clarity. The bass elements perform adequately, injecting a steady undercurrent of energy into various scenes. While some audio lines in environments like school classrooms exhibit slight hollowness and certain busy indoor settings can feel dominated by front-heavy mixing, the overall effort to include localized effects in the rear channels pays off. Despite its variances, the sound design contributes positively to the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray of "Fever Pitch" features a diverse assortment of engaging extras that enhance the viewing experience. The Farrelly brothers' audio commentary is particularly entertaining, though it occasionally meanders into overly indulgent praise for cast and crew. The alternate Red Sox Ending provides an interesting, but ultimately unnecessary, twist to the film's conclusion. The 13 deleted scenes offer intriguing character moments that fans will appreciate, while the gag reel induces the usual chuckles, albeit with a forced feel. Short internet featurettes provide promotional insights into the film's behind-the-scenes aspects and its serendipitous timing with the Red Sox's historic win. The "Making a Scene" segment delivers revealing details about key scenes, rounding out a comprehensive set of extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Peter and Bobby Farrelly discuss behind-the-scenes details and personal anecdotes.
• Red Sox Ending: An alternate cut of the film's ending.
• Deleted Scenes: Thirteen scenes that offer additional character and plot moments.
• Gag Reel: Humorous outtakes from the filming.
• Love Triangle Internet Featurette: Promotional behind-the-scenes content.
• Break the Curse Internet Featurette: Focuses on the film's alignment with the Red Sox's series win.
• Making a Scene: Behind-the-scenes interviews and insights.
• Trailer: The theatrical trailer for the film.

The Farrelly brothers’ "Fever Pitch" transitioned from their edgier comedies to a more sentimental rom-com, adapting Nick Hornby's soccer-centric memoir to baseball with significant thematic changes. The film stars Jimmy Fallon as Ben, a high school geometry teacher and passionate Boston Red Sox fan, and Drew Barrymore as Lindsey, a high-powered executive. Their disparate worlds collide as they navigate the ups and downs of an unexpected romantic relationship. The film blends humor with heartfelt moments, though it leans heavily on clichés and predictable rom-com tropes. Despite these elements, it captures the excitement of the Red Sox’s 2004 World Series win, making it nostalgic for baseball fans.

The chemistry between Fallon and Barrymore holds the film together, with Fallon’s characteristic goofiness juxtaposed against Barrymore’s more grounded portrayal. The characters are relatable, embodying themes of obsession, compromise, and personal growth. Ben’s fanatical devotion to the Red Sox tests their relationship, illustrating the tension between personal passions and romantic commitments. Key scenes portray Ben’s extreme fandom humorously yet tenderly, highlighting both his flaws and endearing qualities. The film's strength lies in its ability to depict the genuine challenges of balancing individual interests within a relationship.

However, the film suffers from typical Farrelly Brothers distractions—superfluous side characters and unfunny subplots that detract from the main narrative. While it demonstrates the Farrelly’s trademark style, these elements often feel out of place. Despite this, "Fever Pitch" succeeds in its core narrative, effectively showcasing the intersection of love and fanaticism set against the backdrop of a historic sports event. Though not critically lauded, it has retained a sense of charm and nostalgia for audiences over the years.

The Farelly brothers' "Fever Pitch" offers a charming, albeit imperfect, romantic comedy experience that should particularly resonate with fans of Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, and the Boston Red Sox. While the film has its share of endearing moments and captures the duo's typical humor, it also inherits some of their well-known directorial shortcomings, which might not appeal to everyone. The movie is enjoyable but expect some scenes to be fast-forward-worthy due to their potential annoyance.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray release by 20th Century Fox remains a mixed bag. The high-definition transfer doesn't quite meet current visual standards, appearing rather dated and lacking in the clarity that modern viewers might expect. Additionally, while this release includes a fair number of extras that fans might appreciate, it still suffers from being a "budget cheapie." Whether this version represents a significant upgrade over the original DVD release largely depends on individual preferences and their love for supplemental content.

In conclusion, the Farelly brothers didn't quite knock "Fever Pitch" out of the park, but it remains a decently enjoyable rom-com for dedicated Fallon, Barrymore, or Red Sox enthusiasts. Although the Blu-ray's high-definition transfer is dated, it stands as the best way to view the movie if it isn’t already in your collection. Those who already own the DVD might not find the upgrade compelling, yet for newcomers, this Blu-ray edition provides an ample way to experience the film's nostalgic charm.