Grandview, U.S.A. Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Grandview, U.S.A." is distinguished by its recent HD remaster, presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio using AVC encoding. The 1080p image is consistently detailed, preserving the film's neighborhood aesthetics and costume textures while ensuring facial expressions remain vivid. The colors are accurately represented with agreeable primaries and lush greens, highlighting the overall vibrancy of the image. Although a few dream sequences adopt a more stylized, music video-like appearance with softened details and intensified colors, this appears to be an intentional artistic choice. Film grain is present and stable, contributing to the filmic quality of the transfer.

The presentation shines with its bright, bold, and lifelike colors that add a significant amount of primary pop without veering into unrealistic territory. Flesh tones are rendered naturally, avoiding any excessive pink or pale hues. Furthermore, the black levels are remarkable, offering deep, inky blacks that enhance the dimensionality of the image, making it visually engaging. Despite minor speckling in a few instances, the source material remains clean and maintains its integrity throughout. All in all, this remastered transfer provides a visually pleasing experience that respects the film’s original aesthetic while enhancing it for contemporary viewing.

The audio presentation of "Grandview, U.S.A." on Blu-ray comes with both English DTS-HD MA 5.1 and DTS-HD MA 2.0 tracks. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound mix, while not particularly dynamic, serves its purpose but reveals a somewhat hollow presence overall. Its atmospherics can be notably loud, occasionally to the detriment of dialogue clarity during louder scenes like the demolition derby track. Nevertheless, the dramatic exchanges are acceptable and appropriately emphasized. The soundtrack is sharp, delivering clear instrumentation and commendable low-end snap, with the scoring subtly supporting narrative needs. However, surround sound elements are minimal, mostly reserved for group sequences and dream interludes, providing just a hint of spatial depth.

On the other hand, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 track is well-suited for the film's generally quiet and conversational tone. It creates a natural and immersive sense of space across varied environments, from expansive outdoor demolition derbies to confined indoor corridors. Though imaging is commendable during these scenes, the 5.1 mix principally mirrors the 2.0 track with marginally enhanced surround effects that lightly augment the more dynamic demolition derby scenes and music video dream sequences. Overall, both audio tracks effectively capture the essence of the film's sound design, with the 2.0 mix especially excelling in maintaining an authentic and contiguous sense of space.

The Blu-ray release of "Grandview, U.S.A." offers a commendable array of extras that notably enhance the viewing experience. The interviews and featurettes are thoughtfully curated, providing a comprehensive insight into the production and thematic exploration of this classic film. The inclusion of commentary tracks offers depth and context that aficionados of the movie will appreciate immensely. Notably, picture-in-picture behind-the-scenes footage provides a parallel narrative that juxtaposes well with the main feature, enriching the viewer’s understanding of the filmmaking process. While a few reviews noted a preference for more extensive content, the existing supplements still deliver substantial value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Director’s Commentary: In-depth discussion on the film’s creation.
• Cast Interviews: Insightful dialogues with the leading cast members.
• Behind-the-Scenes Featurette: Captures the making of critical scenes.
• Picture-in-Picture Footage: Concurrent behind-the-scenes views alongside the film.

1984's "Grandview, U.S.A." directed by Randal Kleiser, is a film that aspires to blend coming-of-age themes with a touch of the melodramatic but ultimately fails to find coherence and consistency in its narrative. At its core, the film is about Tim Pearson (C. Thomas Howell), a teenager balancing dreams of becoming an oceanographer against the expectations of his father, Roger (Ramon Bieri), who wants Tim to stay close to home in Grandview, Illinois. The plot thickens as Tim encounters Mike Cody (Jamie Lee Curtis), co-owner of a local demolition derby, struggling to save her family business from foreclosure while dealing with family and community pressures. Interwoven in this central story are subplots involving demolition derby star Slam Webster (Patrick Swayze) and his tumultuous relationships, painting a vivid but disjointed picture of life in Grandview.

The screenplay by Ken Hixon meshes elements from "The Last Picture Show" and TV drama, attempting to depict a town on the brink of obsolescence. Themes of eroding innocence and youthful dreams clash with the harsh realities of adult responsibilities. Despite strong performances from Curtis and Swayze, the film struggles under the weight of its numerous subplots and uneven tone. Key dramatic moments, such as Tim's confrontation with his father or Mike's fight to save the Speedrome, often lose impact amidst lighter, quirky scenes like Tim's MTV-inspired daydreams. This inconsistency dilutes any intended thematic depth, leaving viewers unsure whether to take the film seriously or as a lighthearted romp.

"Grandview, U.S.A." occasionally hits the right notes but mostly offers a mishmash of ideas that never fully coalesce into a compelling whole. The musical interludes jar against the primary narrative, transforming into what seems to be hastily reconsidered ideas that disrupt the movie's already fragile flow. Kleiser's direction shines better in smaller, personal moments but falters when trying to tie the film's broader themes together cohesively. The lack of clear narrative direction leaves the audience juggling between multiple character arcs and thematic focuses, making "Grandview, U.S.A." a fragmented rather than enriching viewing experience.

"Grandview U.S.A." is a nostalgic slice of small-town Americana, directed by Randal Kleiser. The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Patrick Swayze, and C. Thomas Howell, presenting a story that mingles coming-of-age themes with vignettes of community life. While the film toys with an engaging setup and promising performances, it struggles with tonal consistency and narrative purpose. Kleiser's direction seems conflicted between reaching for heartfelt character moments and adhering to formulaic storytelling, leaving the viewer with an experience that often feels unfocused and fragmented. Despite these shortcomings, the movie manages to capture moments of quaint charm and the essence of its 1980s setting.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "Grandview U.S.A." makes a commendable effort in presenting the film with high-quality audio and visual (A/V) fidelity. The transfer is clear, retaining the original film's nostalgic visual aesthetics while upgrading its technical presentation for modern audiences. However, the release is sparse in supplementary materials, lacking any significant extra features that might offer deeper insight or added value for collectors and fans. The package's strength lies predominantly in its core A/V offering, which should satisfy those looking to revisit or discover this title with optimal clarity.

In conclusion, "Grandview U.S.A." is an uneven yet watchable film that will primarily appeal to enthusiasts of 1980s cinema or fans of the principal cast. While it fails to fully realize its potential and grapples with a lack of cohesive direction, its moments of genuine charm and competent technical presentation on Blu-ray provide an enjoyable watch for those willing to manage their expectations. As such, it warrants a cautious recommendation: likely best appreciated as a rental before committing to purchase.