The Freshman Blu-ray Review

Mill Creek's Blu-ray release of "The Freshman" falls disappointingly short in terms of video quality, plagued by numerous deficiencies from start to finish. The imagery is consistently flat, soft, and heavily compressed, severely hampered by macroblocking that adversely affects background clarity and overall picture stability. The problematic elements are evident from the very beginning, with the opening titles showcasing a miserable array of speckling, scratches, and a noticeable lack of fine details. The color palette is lifeless, failing to exhibit any real vibrancy or saturation, leading to a flat, muted visual experience that lacks depth and dimension. Occasional scenes, such as Clark meeting Carmine for the first time, show a mild, fleeting improvement in sharpness and stability but are far too inconsistent to salvage the presentation.

This release employs a wide array of detrimental processing techniques including DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) and edge enhancement. These processes eliminate much of the grain structure, resulting in heavy blocking and smeared details. Sharpening attempts are marred by messy halos around edges. The color representation is subpar, with fading producing diluted primaries and generally bland hues, although flesh tones manage to hit a reasonable mark. The contrast is merely average, giving the film a cloudy look, while brightness stands out only due to the otherwise lackluster transfer elements. Black levels fare slightly better but are often crushed or appear as a muddy brown, further degrading the visual experience.

In summary, Mill Creek's handling of "The Freshman" demonstrates significant technical shortcomings. The master appears predated by DVD technology, with myriad video artifacts detracting from the viewing experience. The transfer lacks the textural clarity and structural integrity that one would expect from a Blu-ray release, especially for a film not yet 30 years old. This release is a severe disappointement; fans of "The Freshman", and home theater enthusiasts alike deserve a substantially superior presentation.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 lossless soundtrack for "The Freshman" is capable of meeting the film’s sonic needs, although it primarily serves a functional rather than immersive role. The opening gunshots are surprisingly deep and detailed, representing the most aggressive sounds in the film. Quasi-action scenes produce lighter outputs, often interwoven with a score that is wide and nicely detailed, contributing some richness to the city ambiance and backgrounds. However, the limited channel output restricts the atmospheric depth within scenes, especially in environments like coffee shops. Dialogue, predominantly driving the film, is clear and detailed with reliable front-center imaging.

Though the perky score manages to stretch the DTS-HD stereo track, delivering stable highs and a touch of low-end energy, the overall audio experience remains mundane and typical. Dialog reveals its age through a thin fidelity, maintaining balance even with Brando’s muffled speech. The lack of impactful stereo effects renders the track almost monophonic. Disappointingly, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix leaves much to be desired concerning atmosphere or range, failing to place the viewer within the action. While basic elements like dialogue and music are adequately covered, they lack crispness or liveliness. Despite this, dialogue presentation remains clear, which is crucial given the film's reliance on verbal exchanges for humor. This mix suffices for basic needs but falls short of creating a robust auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "The Freshman" disappoints in the extras department, offering no supplemental content whatsoever. The main menu is notably sparse, providing only options for Play and toggling subtitles. Buyers won't find any DVD or digital copies nor any bonus features that might provide further insight or enjoyment of this classic film. While the packaging does include a retro VHS slipcover with alternate artwork, which may please collectors, it does little to make up for the lack of actual bonus material.

Extras included in this disc: None: No supplemental content is provided.

Andrew Bergman's 1990 film The Freshman is an endearing blend of comedy and crime that pays homage to Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather. The plot revolves around Clark Kellogg, played by Matthew Broderick, who moves from Vermont to New York City to attend NYU's film school. Shortly after his arrival, Clark is swindled by a conman named Victor (Bruno Kirby) and subsequently introduced to Carmine Sabatini (Marlon Brando), who bears an uncanny resemblance to Vito Corleone. Clark is quickly ensnared in the New York underground scene, performing seemingly innocent errands that become increasingly dubious. The film masterfully balances an aura of innocence with underlying sinister motives, making it engaging for both casual viewers and seasoned cinephiles.

Broderick's portrayal of the naive but determined Clark is compelling, capturing the character's ethical struggles amidst the lucrative yet morally ambiguous opportunities presented by Carmine. Brando shines in his meta-role, effortlessly blending elements of Vito Corleone with a unique touches that make Carmine more than just a caricature. The dynamic between Broderick and Brando forms the film’s emotional and comedic core, accentuated by supporting performances from Penelope Ann Miller as Carmine's daughter, Frank Whaley as Clark's roommate, and Paul Benedict as a pretentious film professor. Particularly noteworthy is Bruno Kirby's Victor, whose blend of charm and cunning provides both humor and tension.

The script is a clever mix of genre conventions and unexpected twists, playing with mafia movie tropes while maintaining a light-hearted tone. Bergman's direction ensures that the humor remains sophisticated, with intelligent wit and multi-layered storytelling. The comedy is subtle but effective, often derived from the absurdity of Clark's calm reactions to chaotic situations. The film's self-awareness, particularly regarding Brando’s iconic past roles, adds an additional layer of enjoyment. Although it didn’t achieve widespread commercial success, The Freshman stands out as an intelligent comedy that subverts expectations while delivering genuine laughs.

Mill Creek’s Blu-ray release of "The Freshman" appears lackluster despite the film's inherent charm and classic appeal. The movie itself is a delightful comedy, well-acted with Matthew Broderick showcasing his inherent knack for portraying the naive, young protagonist caught in comically challenging situations. Marlon Brando delivers a fun and nuanced performance, parodying one of his iconic roles with evident enjoyment. The screenplay is sharp and the ensemble cast complements the smart humor, making it an enjoyable watch. However, this Blu-ray edition falls short of delivering what fans of the movie deserve.

The most glaring issue lies in the video quality; it's remarkably subpar, bordering on atrocious. Colors lack vibrancy and detail clarity is poor, only marginally better than a standard DVD. The audio department fares better with a competent two-channel lossless soundtrack that preserves the dialogues and background score adequately but doesn't excel. The absence of any special features further diminishes the value of this release, leaving it to be a bare-bones addition to one’s collection. Such shortcomings in A/V quality severely undermine the viewing experience and do an injustice to the film's timeless appeal.

In conclusion, "The Freshman" is well worth owning due to its disarming humor and strong performances, but Mill Creek’s Blu-ray release does not do justice to its potential. Priced affordably, this disc is slightly better than available DVD versions, yet falls short of expectations for a high-definition transfer. Potential buyers might want to hold out for a better release, perhaps from Sony, which could provide "The Freshman" with the transfer it truly deserves. For now, it’s best to skip this mediocre Blu-ray edition – your wallet will thank you.