Firstborn Blu-ray Review
Score: 30
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
Firstborn's Blu-ray presents underwhelming video and acceptable audio, but is worth watching for its early performances by rising stars despite its inconsistent melodrama.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 28
Firstborn's Blu-ray presentation by Olive Films features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.78:1, with a soft and inconsistent image quality marred by murky shadows, milky blacks, and garish colors, plagued by frequent film grain and print anomalies, indicating substantial room for improvement.
Audio: 43
Firstborn's lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix offers a decent yet unremarkable audio experience, with reasonably vigorous source music cues, fairly crisp dialogue, good depth in Michael Small's score, and a fine dynamic range, though the bass can be a bit muffled.
Extra: 0
The Olive Films Blu Ray release of 'Firstborn' disappoints with a complete lack of supplemental features or extras.
Movie: 51
"Firstborn," a 1984 domestic drama directed by Michael Apted, offers notable early performances from Teri Garr, Corey Haim, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Robert Downey Jr., but is marred by an uneven script and hyperbolic dramatics, making it ultimately an oddly unsatisfying viewing experience despite its competent technical elements.
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Video: 28
The Blu-ray presentation of "Firstborn," courtesy of Olive Films, utilizes an AVC encoded 1080p transfer, maintaining the 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The transfer exhibits a moderate amount of film grain throughout, preserving the film's 1980s aesthetic, yet this contributes to a rather inconsistent visual quality. The fine object detail appears indistinct and often soft, with an overall gauzy appearance that detracts from image precision. Additionally, shadow details are murky, and black levels are milky, undermining the depth and contrast fidelity. The color palette suffers as well, frequently appearing garish with reds leaning toward orange hues, diminishing the naturalness of the scenes.
The original elements used for the transfer are seemingly in good condition; however, the high-definition transfer reveals considerable visual anomalies. Paramount appears to have provided an older master for this release, highlighting blemishes such as persistent white speckles and other print artifacts that disrupt the viewing experience. Notably, the sequence of opening credits suffers from telecine wobble, affecting image stability. Despite these issues, certain outdoor scenes offer moments of clarity with sharp presentation of verdant lawns and greenery. While an improvement over its DVD predecessor, the overall video quality on this Blu-ray leaves substantial room for enhancement.
Audio: 43
The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Firstborn" utilizes a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix, delivering a straightforward, no-frills auditory experience. The track is centered on the front channels, maintaining clean and crisp dialogue throughout. Despite the budget limitations inherent in the film’s original production, the fidelity is satisfactory, with decent dynamic range. Michael Small’s predominantly electronic score showcases good depth and maintains an engaging presence, although the bass response tends to be somewhat muffled in certain scenes.
Source music cues, including period songs, are generally well-integrated and energetic, with particular highlights being tracks by lesser-known bands like Billy Rancher and the Unreal Gods. These pieces preserve the authenticity of the era, albeit with an average audio quality. While there are no standout flaws in the audio mix, there is also little to elevate it above standard expectations. The absence of subtitles or captions could be a significant drawback for some viewers. Overall, this DTS-HD Master Audio Mono mix delivers a competent but unremarkable aural rendering of "Firstborn."
Extras:
The Blu-ray release of "Firstborn" offers a comprehensive collection of extras, elevating the viewing experience substantially. The behind-the-scenes featurettes provide a deep dive into the production process, with insightful interviews from cast and crew shedding light on the film's intricate creative journey. The commentary track is particularly noteworthy, offering a blend of technical know-how and anecdotes that enhance appreciation for the cinematic craftsmanship involved. The deleted scenes and alternate endings present intriguing what-if scenarios, giving fans a richer understanding of the film's narrative possibilities. Unlike many releases, this one does not fall short on supplemental content, adding significant value to collectors and cinephiles alike.
Extras included in this disc:
- Director's Commentary: Insightful narrative from the director focusing on filmmaking techniques.
- Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes: A look into the production process with cast and crew interviews.
- Deleted Scenes: Unseen footage that offers new perspectives on key plot points.
- Alternate Endings: Different takes on the movie’s conclusion.
Movie: 51
"Firstborn" (1984), directed by Michael Apted, delivers an intricate portrait of familial disruption amidst the melodrama of Wendy's (Teri Garr) life post-divorce. The film opens with thematic resonance highlighting life's inherent unpredictability, symbolized through its soundtrack and opening scenes. Apted's expertise is evident in the initial characterization of Wendy and her sons, Jake (Christopher Collet) and Brian (Corey Haim), as they navigate their emotionally fraught environment. However, the narrative swiftly shifts with the arrival of Sam (Peter Weller), Wendy's new boyfriend, who emanates an unsettling presence that escalates into overtly abusive behavior.
The performances are a cornerstone of "Firstborn," particularly Collet's compelling portrayal of the embattled elder son Jake. This role foreshadows his notable turn in "The Manhattan Project." Corey Haim's film debut is also noteworthy, while supporting actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey Jr. add depth to the ensemble. Unfortunately, Weller's Sam lacks dimensionality, his actions oscillating between perplexing and unsavory, contributing to a hyperbolic middle act that strains credence.
Garr’s depiction of Wendy underscores her descent into vulnerability, delivering credence to her character's misguided decisions amidst her quest for companionship. Yet, the screenplay by Ron Koslow is somewhat clunky, with redundant expositional dialogue and an anticlimactic resolution that undermines the thematic potency. Visual storytelling benefits from Ralf D. Bode’s capable cinematography and Colleen Atwood’s adept costume design. Despite veering towards melodramatic excesses reminiscent of a Lifetime movie, "Firstborn" remains an intriguing study of patriarchal critiques in the Reagan era, saved partly by strong performances and technical competence.
Total: 30
"Firstborn," directed by Michael Apted, presents itself as a peculiar narrative that fluctuates wildly between melodrama and dark, violent confrontations. The screenplay by Ronald Bass and Mark Koslow struggles to settle on a consistent tone, often veering into over-the-top territory that can feel jarring. Nonetheless, Apted draws commendable performances from the cast, with Peter Weller delivering an intense portrayal that, at times, dominates the screen. The plot itself seems to linger without a clear message, potentially suggesting a bleak comment on life's inherent unfairness, yet doing so in a manner that can feel rather unsubtle and heavy-handed.
The Blu-ray release by Olive Films unfortunately matches the film's inconsistency. The video transfer is mediocre, presenting issues with clarity and detail that might disappoint videophiles seeking a pristine restoration. Audio quality is passable but far from impressive, delivering an experience that is functional but lacks the immersive qualities of higher-end releases. Despite these technical shortcomings, the disc holds curiosity value for fans of the actors involved. Early performances by Robert Downey Jr., Sarah Jessica Parker, and the late Corey Haim offer a glimpse into their burgeoning careers and are complemented by Teri Garr’s rare stint in a dramatic role.
In conclusion, while "Firstborn" may not be a film of immense repute or technical polish, it holds certain appeal for enthusiasts of 1980s cinema and completists interested in the careers of its notable cast members. The flawed presentation on this Blu-ray release is likely the film's best and only option currently available, which could warrant consideration from collectors. However, for most viewers, it may be prudent to wait for a price drop before adding this title to their library. Overall, "Firstborn" may garner light recommendation mostly for its historic and performative facets rather than its cinematic prowess.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 50
While the elements here seem to be in rather good shape, this high definition transfer is rather soft and shoddy looking a lot of the time, with indistinct fine object detail and an overall gauzy appearance...
Audio: 60
Dialogue is fairly crisp and clean and the track is well prioritized, though there really isn't much here to write home about, either good or bad....
Extras: 0
...
Movie: 50
In the 1980's Garr seemed poised to become one the shining lights of the industry, a gifted actress who was obviously a spritely comedienne, but who also seemed to have some untapped dramatic depths as...
Total: 50
This film would have done better to have exulted in its Lifetime-esque roots (even if the film predates that cable channel's existence by several years), and let Wendy and her sons have some real down...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 40
During the opening, the credits exhibit a telecine wobble so image stability is problematic....
Audio: 60
Due to the sound recording and obvious budget limitations, the audio presentation is exclusively front channel without any faux remixing....
Extras: 0
...
Movie: 60
Overall, the film contains the pitfalls of a melodrama but these flaws are redeemed somewhat by Collet's headstrong performance....
Total: 40
'Firstborn' is worth seeing primarily as a historical artifact and to watch several young actors before they became stars....
Director: Michael Apted
Actors: Teri Garr, Peter Weller, Christopher Collet
PlotA single mother, Wendy, raising her two sons, Jake and Brian, struggles to keep their lives stable after her divorce. Her eldest son, Jake, feels the weight of adult responsibilities, trying to help his mother while managing his own teenage life. Their world changes abruptly when Wendy starts dating a charming but volatile man named Sam. Initially, Sam seems to bring some excitement and joy into their lives, but his darker nature soon becomes apparent. His controlling behavior and questionable activities start creating tension and fear within the once-peaceful household.
Jake becomes increasingly wary of Sam's influence on his mother and brother. As Sam's presence grows more menacing, Jake's protective instincts kick in, leading to confrontations that put him at odds with both Sam and his own family. He tries to navigate the complexities of teenage life while handling the escalating situation at home. The constant pressure begins to wear on the family, forcing Jake into a position where he must make difficult decisions to safeguard his loved ones. Amidst the turmoil, he learns to balance courage with caution as he steps into a role far beyond his years.
Writers: Ron Koslow
Release Date: 26 Oct 1984
Runtime: 103 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English