The Natural Blu-ray Review

"The Natural" arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer that effectively conveys the classic film's visual charm. Sony's meticulous remastering work allows the picture to retain a rich, film-like texture brimming with excellent detailing and vibrant colors. From the ambient lighting in Roy Hobbs’ childhood scenes to the lush greens of the baseball fields, the color palette is vibrant and thoughtfully rendered, providing a genuine portrayal of the film's iconic settings. The primary hues, particularly the deeply saturated reds and pops of yellow in city scenes, enhance the visual narrative without looking artificial. Best of all, blacks remain stable throughout, maintaining definition in darker sequences like the shadowy Judge's office and the moonlit barn, thus enhancing depth and contrast remarkably.

Fine object detail stands out prominently, even though some scenes exhibit minor inconsistencies. The clothes, such as the woolen baseball uniforms, are depicted with such fine precision that individual fibers can be discerned. Similarly, props like wood-grain baseball bats and infield dirt reveal intricate texturing that truly benefits from high-definition treatment. However, sharpness can waver slightly, with certain scenes appearing less defined, but these instances are infrequent and likely due to original film limitations rather than transfer issues. Some grainy sequences exhibit pronounced film grain which adds to the cinematic authenticity rather than detracting from it.

Lastly, while minor technical flaws exist—such as occasional Gaussian blur and slight banding—the overall presentation sports a commendable fidelity that long-time fans will appreciate. Background imagery remains detailed with elements like train platforms and building billboards excellently rendered. Despite the sporadic alignment issues and minimal artifacting, "The Natural" on Blu-ray stands as possibly the best home video rendition, showcasing an impressive balance of clarity and nostalgic grain that pays homage to its original theatrical presentation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for the Blu-ray release of "The Natural" impressively revitalizes the film’s soundtrack with remarkable clarity and definition. Dialogue remains clear with discernible intonation and above-average room penetration, ensuring that every spoken word resonates within the listening environment. This front-oriented presentation adeptly utilizes the entire audio system to create a seamlessly integrated experience, highlighted by Randy Newman's iconic music score. Dynamic range is effectively managed, never seeming constrained by the recording’s aged elements. Surround activity, while not constant, becomes engaging when applied, offering spatial ambience and discrete sounds that fill the listening space. The LFE channel complements this by adding substantial weight to low bass frequencies, enhancing moments of clapping thunder and other impactful sounds with refined definition and presence.

Sony’s DTS-HD MA 5.1 presentation particularly excels in its reproduction of Randy Newman's classic Americana-style score, breathing new life into the composition with extraordinary fidelity. Each instrument—whether it be horns, strings, or percussion—stands out with pinpoint precision and clarity, stirring the soul as scenes unfold. Environmental sound effects are equally impressive, with immersive elements such as cheering stadium crowds, atmospheric buzzing insects, and distant fairground noises vividly realized across the soundstage. Notably, thunder booms authoritatively while subtly echoing throughout the listening area, and raindrops falling seem to hit the ground with detailed realism. Additionally, sound effects like Roy's train rumbles and the shattering of press booth glass further demonstrate the track’s excellent spatial accuracy. Overall, this lossless audio presentation is both honest and satisfying, offering a nostalgic yet robust auditory experience that will undoubtedly thrill fans of the film.

The Blu-ray release of "The Natural" delivers an All-Star lineup of extras that are comprehensive, well-produced, and indispensable for fans. When Lightning Strikes: Creating 'The Natural' offers a detailed three-part documentary on the film's adaptation process, including insights into Bernard Malamud's life, filming locations, and Randy Newman's impactful score. Extra Innings features short segments diving into specific elements such as slow-motion and uniform colors. Clubhouse Conversations includes discussions with baseball icons and celebrities about the sport's significance. A Natural Gunned Down: The Stalking of Eddie Waitkus explores the real-life incident of baseball player Eddie Waitkus. Knight in Shining Armor: The Mythology of The Natural parallels the film with ancient mythology. Finally, The Heart of The Natural, directed by Charles Kiselyak, features insights from Barry Levinson and Cal Ripken Jr. Also included are HD previews and BD-Live functionality.

Extras included in this disc:

• When lightning strikes - Creating The Natural: A three-part documentary on the film's creation.
• Pregame: A novelist steps up to the plate: Introduction to Bernard Malamud and the novel.
• The lineup: Assembling the moviemaking team: Insights into cast and crew.
• Let's play ball: Filming the show: Behind-the-scenes footage of filming.
• Extra innings - A series of short segments: Detailed looks at elements like Slow Motion, Uniform Color, The Sandberg Game, The President’s Question.
• Clubhouse conversations: Documentary featuring various baseball personalities.
• A natural gunned down: The stalking of Eddie Waitkus: Examination of Eddie Waitkus' incident.
• Knight in shining armor: The mythology of The Natural: Comparison with ancient mythology.
• The heart of The Natural: A short film by Charles Kiselyak featuring interviews about the film’s legacy.
• Previews: Trailers for Ghostbusters, A River Runs Through It, and Facing the Giants.
• BD-Live enabled

Barry Levinson's "The Natural" is not simply a tale of baseball but a profound narrative about human resilience, destiny, and redemption. The film follows Roy Hobbs, a man whose promising career is derailed by a near-fatal incident, only to resurface years later with tenacity and his handcrafted bat, Wonderboy. Portrayed masterfully by Robert Redford, Hobbs' journey epitomizes the hero's struggle against daunting odds. The character's physical prowess and indefatigable spirit to reclaim lost glory are themes that transcend the sport, making this more about heart than home runs. The film intricately weaves a metaphor for life's vicissitudes, leveraging heroic baseball moments to amplify its deeper philosophical undertones.

Technically, "The Natural" excels under Levinson's meticulous direction and Caleb Deschanel's evocative cinematography, which transforms the baseball diamond into an arena for life's grand narratives. Their collaboration crafts both grand stadium highlights and nuanced period details that visually enrich the storytelling. The authenticity and emotional depth are further bolstered by an exceptional ensemble cast. Glenn Close's poignant performance as Iris, Roy's enduring love, serves as a beacon of hope and goodness amidst his tumultuous journey. Supporting roles by Wilford Brimley, Robert Duvall, and others add layers of complexity and richness to the narrative.

Randy Newman’s iconic score stands as an integral part of the film's fabric, elevating it to a timeless classic status. His triumphant compositions perfectly complement the visuals, encapsulating the film's ethos and heroism with an auditory brilliance rivaling other legendary movie scores. Overall, "The Natural" does not just capture the beauty of baseball but immortalizes a touching saga of triumph over life's adversities, demonstrating that greatness often stems from the strength of the human spirit.

An incredible movie of the power of the human spirit and with an honest and important message that says that it's never too late to realize one's dreams as long as the motives are good and the intentions true, The Natural stands proudly as one of the finest sports films of all time, and like the best of its genre, it uses sport as but a backdrop for the deeper meaning to be found.
It's a rare combination indeed to find a movie that's so enthralling both superficially and thematically as this; The Natural holds up incredibly well to a multitude of viewings thanks to its ability to effortlessly combine baseball and life into one incredible tale of a man's return to glory both on the field and in his soul. Supported by astounding direction and cinematography, superb acting, and an unforgettable score, The Natural is a Hall-of-Famer and arguably the finest baseball movie of all time.

Sony has done right by this timeless classic, bestowing it with a remarkable film-like transfer, an equally splendid lossless soundtrack, and a comprehensive selection of extras.
It might not have received perfect scores across the board, but the emotional depth of the movie, its replay value, incredible visuals and acting, as well as its status as an all-time classic, make The Natural stand out. The high-definition transfer looks pristine, bringing out every detail of the film's excellent cinematography. Additionally, the audio experience is immersive, enhancing Randy Newman's memorable score.

In conclusion, The Natural on Blu-ray offers an exceptional viewing experience for both new audiences and long-time fans of the film. Sony's meticulous restoration ensures that this beloved classic continues to enchant and inspire. With its indelible performances and profound storytelling, this Blu-ray release earns my highest recommendation.