Moneyball Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Moneyball" sports an impressive 1080p transfer that has received near-universal praise for its impeccable clarity and lifelike colors, with Sony demonstrating its prowess through this release. The video quality shines in its reproduction of deep blacks without succumbing to crush, particularly notable in scenes set in dimly lit stadiums where the ambient light plays across glossy seats. This clarity extends to the vibrant representation of the green grass and the Oakland A's color scheme, alongside the more subdued tones found in office environments and attire. Textural details, such as the mesh on caps and the stitching on baseball uniforms, are remarkably sharp, benefiting from a transfer that embraces a significant, yet appealing level of grain to enhance its cinematic feel. Skin tones are rendered accurately throughout the film, avoiding any unnatural warmth and maintaining consistency.

On the technical front, the transfer utilizes the AVC MPEG-4 encode, showcasing stunning picture depth, outstanding contrast levels, and bold yet natural colors without any instances of black crush or aliasing. The historical footage, despite being less glossy and somewhat stylized, integrates well without detracting from the overall quality. Minute details, like stray hairs, are so crisply presented that they add an almost tactile layer to the viewing experience. Clean whites and precise skin tones enrich the myriad of close-up shots.

However, it's not entirely without its issues. A few shots exhibit noise, and some scenes lack visual pop, coming across as somewhat dull and unengaging. Edge enhancement in particular spots also detracts from what could otherwise be called a flawless presentation. Despite these minor flaws, the Blu-ray transfer of "Moneyball" is commendable for its technical achievements and remains a robust offering for fans demanding high-quality home video experiences.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack of "Moneyball" presents an effective, albeit understated, auditory experience that showcases a notable attention to naturalism and detail within its audio delivery. The soundtrack deftly balances dialogue, ambient sounds, and the more dynamic aspects of its baseball-centric world with confidence and precision. Dialogue remains crisp and clear, anchored to the center channel, ensuring that spoken words are smooth, accurately pitched, and easily intelligible. Ambient sounds, from the mundane rustling of papers in an office to the immersive roar of a crowded stadium, are carefully placed to enhance the film's atmospherics without overwhelming the primary audio elements. Even the subtler effects, like a baseball striking a bat or the ambient hum of a jet engine, are rendered with a realism that pulls the viewer deeper into the story's environments.

Despite its strengths, the soundtrack's utilization of the rear channels is somewhat inconsistent, with moments of brilliance in spatial audio fading into stretches where they seem all but forgotten. Initial scenes may impress with an enveloping rear audio presence that places listeners directly into the action, but this is not uniformly sustained throughout the film. The dynamics across the board remain solid, with every sound from muffled dialogue to the score's bass levels conveyed with appropriate depth and clarity, though the latter seldom demands much from the subwoofer. Ambience throughout the film fluctuates, capturing some settings with immersive detail while glossing over others, leading to a somewhat uneven auditory landscape.

Overall, while "Moneyball's" audio presentation might not stretch the capabilities of a high-end home theater system to its limits, it excels in delivering a naturally engaging and accurate sonic portrayal of its narrative. The mix expertly balances vocal clarity with environmental ambience and dynamic effects, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience that supports the film's storytelling. However, expectations for a consistently active surround sound experience should be tempered, as the focus here seems to be on subtlety and realism rather than auditory spectacle.

The 'Moneyball' Blu-ray extras provide an enticing glimpse into the making of the film through an array of featurettes and deleted scenes, despite lacking an audio commentary. It includes a blooper reel showcasing Brad Pitt's infectious laughter, which contrastingly highlights his ability to snap back into character. The collection of deleted scenes offers additional depth to the storyline, including a notable interaction between Beane and Howe about bullpen decisions and a deeper dive into the intricacies of the Red Sox contract offer. The featurettes are notably rich in content; they detail the rigorous process of adapting the book into a screenplay, the exhaustive efforts to authentically recreate baseball scenes, and provide a comprehensive look at the casting process. Insightful discussions led by key figures such as Michael Lewis, Bennett Miller, Aaron Sorkin, and Billy Beane himself delve into Beane’s unique approach to baseball management and its impact on the sport, making these extras a must-watch for fans and cinephiles alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Blooper -- Brad Loses It: Pitt unable to control his laughter during takes.
• Deleted Scenes: Insight into three cut scenes, revealing more about Beane's strategies and personal moments.
• Billy Beane: Re-Inventing the Game: Deep dive into Billy Beane's methodology and influence on baseball, featuring interviews with pivotal insiders.
• Drafting the Team: Examination of the movie's casting choices.
• Moneyball: Playing the Game: Behind-the-scenes look at the film's authentic baseball scene recreations and historical context.
• Adapting Moneyball: Exploration of turning the book into a screenplay and its dramatic elements.
• MLB 12 The Show Preview Trailer: Sneak peek at the video game.
• Previews: Trailers for other Sony titles.
• BD-Live: Access to online features.

Moneyball" is an unconventional sports movie that delves deep into the heart of baseball, redefining the way we perceive the game not through its physicality but through the prism of statistics and underappreciated talent. It tells the compelling story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), the Oakland Athletics' general manager, who, faced with a restrictive budget, turns to a revolutionary strategy focusing on undervalued players to build a competitive team. The adaptation of Michael Lewis’ book on Beane's groundbreaking approach to assembling a baseball team is brilliantly brought to life by director Bennett Miller, capturing not only the essence of the sport but the very soul of innovation and resistance against traditional paradigms.

The film masterfully combines drama with the nitty-gritty of baseball analytics, presenting a narrative that is as much about personal triumphs and battles as it is about the game. Brad Pitt delivers a nuanced performance, portraying Beane with a depth that transcends the conventional sports movie hero archetype. Jonah Hill, playing Beane’s assistant Peter Brand, brings an unexpected gravitas to the role, complementing Pitt’s Beane in their quest to change the game. Their dynamic represents a core theme of "Moneyball": the clash between old-school baseball philosophy and the emerging evidence-based approach that values on-base percentage and other overlooked metrics over traditional statistics.

"Moneyball" transcends its genre by engaging not just hardcore baseball fans but also those intrigued by the process of innovation and change management in any field. It's a film about looking beyond the surface, challenging established norms, and finding value where none is apparent. While it meticulously details the strategy behind assembling a team capable of competing against financially stronger opponents, it’s also a universal story of determination, vision, and the relentless pursuit of success against the odds. Through its focus on strategy and analytics, "Moneyball" does for baseball what few films have done for sports, turning a story about numbers into a captivating narrative of human aspiration and resilience.

Moneyball," as portrayed in its Blu-ray presentation, stands as a notable exemplar of filmmaking that ventures beyond the conventional confines of sports genres, showcasing a compelling narrative that transcends the mere analytics of baseball to touch upon broader themes of innovation, resilience, and the pursuit of success against entrenched orthodoxies. The film, veering away from the beaten path of traditional sports storytelling, delves into the intricacies of baseball's backstage, offering viewers an insightful look into the game's financial and strategic aspects. This narrative is brought to life through the commendable performances of its cast, led by stellar roles that encapsulate the essence of determination and intellect over sheer financial might. The technical quality of the Blu-ray release further enhances this experience, boasting exceptional video quality and robust audio that immerses viewers into the world of "Moneyball," complemented by a well-curated selection of extras that provide additional layers of depth to the viewing experience.

Sony's release of "Moneyball" on Blu-ray effectively captures the film's authentic portrayal of its compelling story, supported by a high-quality audiovisual presentation that stands out among home entertainment releases. The inclusion of both standalone and combo pack options caters to a diverse range of preferences among cinephiles and dramatic movie enthusiasts, making it an indispensable addition to their collections. Not only does the Blu-ray deliver on a technical level, but it also offers an engaging array of bonus content that enriches the film's context and appreciation, thereby rounding out an already solid package.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray presentation of "Moneyball" is a must-own for those who appreciate filmmaking that challenges traditional narratives and offers a fresh perspective on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of sports. Its impressive combination of storytelling prowess, remarkable performances, and high-quality technical presentation make it a standout addition to the catalogues of both sports aficionados and fans of cinema at large. This release not only commemorates one of 2011's most distinguished films but also sets a high standard for Blu-ray releases in 2012 and beyond, underscoring its highly recommended status.