Play It to the Bone Blu-ray Review

In reviewing the video presentation of "Play It to the Bone" on Blu Ray, it's clear that Disney and Mill Creek have collaborated to produce a visually striking release. The source material's cleanliness has provided a strong foundation, resulting in a 1080p, AVC-encoded image that captures the film's anamorphic widescreen cinematography with exceptional clarity. Mark Vargo's hand as cinematographer is evident in the composition's fine details—from the nuanced depiction of the Southwest landscapes to the vibrant energy of Las Vegas and the atmospheric lighting of a pivotal scene in a Greek diner. This release showcases a visual fidelity that honors the original filmmaking, with deep blacks, vivid colors—including a notably vibrant green for a key convertible—and natural skin tones. A notable aspect is the preservation of film grain, adding a layer of authenticity without tipping into excessive noise, ensuring that the image remains crisp and pleasurable to view.

Given the film's dynamic range, from expansive outdoor scenes to the claustrophobic intensity of a boxing ring, the Blu Ray manages to maintain detail and color balance admirably. There's an aesthetic coherence that ties together different locales and settings, ensuring that each frame contributes to a cohesive visual narrative. The lack of digital noise reduction (DNR), compression errors, or other artifacts is commendable, indicating a dedication to quality and a respect for the source material.

Overall, this Blu Ray edition of "Play It to the Bone" stands out for its technical excellence and visual appeal. The attention to detail in transferring the film onto this format is apparent, making it arguably the finest version of this movie Mill Creek has released. Whether it's the subtleties of color gradation or the meticulous preservation of original film textures, this edition is a testament to effective collaboration between distributor and technology, serving both cinematic history and the home viewer’s experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Play It to the Bone" presents a notable disparity in its audio presentation when compared to its theatrical and earlier DVD releases. Originally showcased in a robust Dolby Digital, DTS, and SDDS 5.1 surround sound mix that heightened the film's immersive experience, the transition to Blu-ray has seen this cinematic soundscape confined to a mere 2.0 DTS lossless track. This decision stands out as a significant reduction in audio complexity and spatial quality, stripping away layers of auditory depth that were once available to the audience.

Despite this limitation, it is worth acknowledging that the 2.0 lossless mix does not falter in delivering clear and quality sound. Dialogue emerges crisp and comprehensible, seamlessly interwoven with Alex Wurman’s compelling score and a diverse selection of tracks from artists like John Lee Hooker, Moby, and Los Lobos, ensuring an audibly engaging experience. The mix manages to retain a level of immersion, particularly in showcasing the film's eclectic soundtrack and well-balanced sound elements.

However, it's impossible to overlook the compromised potential of the movie’s auditory experience on Blu-ray. During pivotal moments, especially within the dynamic setting of the boxing ring where the original 5.1 mix would have excelled in enveloping the viewer within the shifting perspectives of Cesar and Vince, the stereo track's limitations become unavoidably evident. This simplification not only detracts from the viewer’s engagement with these key scenes but also signifies a missed opportunity to fully honor the sound engineers’ original design and intent, highlighting a disconnect between what is available and what could have been achieved with a faithful reproduction of the film’s initial audio specification.

The Blu-ray release of "Play It to the Bone" by Mill Creek presents a no-frills direct-to-home experience, consistent with the company's approach to supplementary content. Despite expectations for behind-the-scenes insight, directorial commentary, or even a cursory making-of featurette, this release remains stark. The choice to eschew additional content may disappoint enthusiasts seeking a deeper dive into the film's production nuances or any bonus material typical of Blu-ray presentations. However, for viewers solely focused on the main feature without the interest or time for extras, this straightforward delivery aligns with Mill Creek's streamlined strategy.

Extras included in this disc:

• As always with Mill Creek, none.

Play It to the Bone" stands as a testament to Ron Shelton's adeptness at intertwining sports with the sprawling, complicated tapestry of life. Shelton, whose repertoire includes critically acclaimed sports films, employs boxing in this entry not merely as a physical contest but as a canvas to explore themes of redemption, the fickleness of fate, and the essence of human relationships. The film echoes motifs from Shelton's previous works — the mentorship seen in "Bull Durham," camaraderie amidst competition akin to "White Men Can't Jump," and a nod to the underdog spirit of "Tin Cup." However, "Play It to the Bone" veers away from providing clear-cut resolutions, instead offering viewers a raw slice of life, wrapped in the gloves of two aging boxers, Vince Boudreau (Woody Harrelson) and Cesar Dominguez (Antonio Banderas), whose dreams and disappointments mirror each other’s.

At its heart, the film narrates the journey of Boudreau and Dominguez, two has-beens who seize an unexpected opportunity to fight as undercards in a Las Vegas match, epitomizing their last-ditch shot at glory. Their road trip to Vegas, steered by Grace Pasic (Lolita Davidovich), unfurls layers of personal history, revealing past loves and present tensions. The dynamic among the trio, combined with the desert’s vastness and brief yet impactful encounters along the way, adds depth to what unfolds as more than a mere quest for victory in the ring. It’s a quest for meaning, underscored by clever dialogue and a shared history that binds them.

The climactic bout itself is depicted not as a conventional cinematic spectacle but as an excruciatingly honest display of determination, underscoring decades of unfulfilled aspirations. Unlike the rousing triumphs of movie boxers like Rocky, Boudreau and Dominguez’s fight is less about winning in the traditional sense and more about personal vindication. The intricately choreographed sequences, combined with a nuanced editing rhythm that shifts perspectives, imbue the fight with a palpable sense of desperation and grit. In doing so, "Play It to the Bone" champions the enduring human spirit, affirming that sometimes, the act of battling till the very end, against all odds, is a victory in itself.

Play It to the Bone" on Blu-ray presents an interesting case for enthusiasts of Ron Shelton's work and collectors alike. The film itself, while not hitting the high marks of Shelton's revered sports filmography, shares the underlying qualities that fans appreciate: a gritty narrative punctuated with authentic sporting spirit and occasional humor. This release is heralded as the film’s most commendable visual presentation on home video to date, offering an enhanced viewing experience that attempts to elevate the movie beyond its initial reception. However, it's essential to note that while the video quality may have seen improvements, the audio aspect remains a sore point. The soundtrack, integral to immersing oneself fully into the cinematic experience, disappointingly doesn’t receive the same level of attention or upgrade, leaving a noticeable gap in what could have been a holistic enhancement of the film.

Moreover, the Blu-ray edition of "Play It to the Bone" brings to light an ongoing issue with older films being transitioned into new formats: incomplete enhancements. Viewers are left with a dilemma; whether to invest in a copy based on visual improvements alone or hold off in hopes of a more comprehensive upgrade in the future, perhaps by Disney or another licensee. The ownership of this particular Blu-ray thus becomes a weighing of priorities, between content fidelity and hope for technological advancements that fully realize the film's potential in both picture and sound.

In conclusion, while "Play It to the Bone" on Blu-ray does offer the best visual representation of the film to date, it unfortunately falls short of delivering a complete cinematic revival due to its lackluster audio component. Prospective buyers should temper their expectations and view this purchase as acquiring only three quarters of a product. Fans dedicated to Ron Shelton's work might find value in this version for its enhanced visuals, but it remains an imperfect representation that leaves one yearning for a future release that addresses these shortcomings more thoroughly.