The Natural Blu-ray delivers stunning video and audio in this exceptional Blu-ray release
Nothing was going to stop Roy Hobbs from fulfilling his boyhood dream of baseball superstardom. Robert
Redford stars in this inspiring fable that begins when 14-year-old Hobbs (Redford) fashions a powerful bat from
a fallen oak tree. He soon impresses major league scouts with his ability, fixing his extraordinary talent in the
mind of sportswriter Max Mercy (Robert Duvall), who eventually becomesinstrumental in Hobb's career. But a
meeting with a mysterious woman shatters his dream. Years passand an older Hobbs reappears as a rookie from
The New York Knights. Overcoming physical pain and defying those who have a stake in seeing the Knights lose,
Hobbs, with his boyhood bat, has his chanceto lead the Knights to the pennant and to finally fulfill his dream.
It seems the best sports movies aren't really about sports; they may be set on the football field,
in
the hockey rink, or on the baseball diamond, but movies like Rudy, Miracle, and The
Natural are more about heart, determination, spirit, and overcoming the odds, and through
the
prism of sport providing both their on-film characters and in-theater audiences with a glimpse
into
what it means to truly be alive, to excel, to beat the odds, to live up to potential, to for one day
realize the glory not of getting in the game, hoisting the trophy, or smacking the winning home
run, but of fulfilling a destiny and proving that there's always room at the top for those armed
not necessarily
with the skill but rather with the true strength of the human condition to do the impossible.
Director Barry Levinson's (Rain Man) The Natural is a classic story of a hero
rising from the ashes of the long-since discarded pile of forgotten would-be's, the story not one
that's absolutely about baseball but instead about the spirit of a man to set aside his past and
rebuild his life, to prove not to others but to himself that life is always worth living and that
there's a purpose in every action no matter the cost, the hardships, the sacrifices, the time lost,
or the reward gained. It's about satisfying the soul, about destiny, about love, about right and
wrong. The Natural is a picture that's far greater than even the sum of its parts,
delivering a moving and timeless story of heroism and, indeed, of life itself wrapped in the
wondrous guise of
the most beautiful of games.
And on the horizon, they appear, like knights of yore, armed with bats of ash and hickory.
Young farm boy Roy Hobbs is taught the art of pitching by his father and Roy quickly proves a
natural with his fireball of an arm. When Roy's father suddenly passes away, the grief-stricken
boy crafts a baseball bat from the wood of the tree beneath which is father died and lightning
soon thereafter split in two. Dubbing the bat "Wonderboy," the youngster continues on with his
pitching, and at the young age of 19, Roy (Robert Redford, Out of Africa) is
summoned to try out for the Chicago Cubs, leaving his sweetheart Iris (Glenn Close, Air Force One)
behind. On the trip, Roy is introduced the great slugger "The Whammer" (Joe Don Baker,
Cape Fear), whom Roy strikes out on three straight pitches while on a stop to Chicago.
With Roy's confidence soaring, he meets the mysterious Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey, Hoosiers) who
promptly shoots him and leaves him for dead in her Chicago hotel room. Sixteen years later, Roy
Hobbs has fought his way back into baseball, this time as a slugger and with a freshly-inked
contract to play right field for the slumping New York Knights. Club manager "Pop" Fisher
(Wilford Brimley, The Thing) -- whose
future both in the game and in the pocketbook are riding on the Knights' ability to capture the
pennant -- is reluctant to play the aging rookie, but when Roy is finally given the opportunity to
show off his power and star outfielder "Bump" Bailey (Michael Madsen, Reservoir Dogs) dies in
a tragic accident on the field, Roy earns the opportunity to lead the Knights to a remarkable
resurgence in the standings. Only the club's corrupt majority shareholder, known as "The Judge"
(Robert Prosky); his underling and Pop's niece Memo Paris (Kim Basinger, L.A. Confidential);
and gambler Gus Sands (Darren McGavin); stand in the way of Roy's return to glory and the
Knights' return to greatness.
Much like the astounding Field of Dreams,
The Natural plays as baseball-as-fantasy, but also like Field of Dreams, there's an
underlying element that examines a deeper philosophical purpose beyond the diamond. In
The Natural, the story is unlikely, but never at all to the detriment of the film or its
meanings. Roy Hobbs' heroics are expected and even welcome, not because they light up the
screen and allow the crowd to cheer, but because they necessarily reinforce the deeper thematic
elements to be found behind the exciting but nevertheless superficial scenes featuring a cover
literally
knocked off a baseball, a
shattered stadium clock, or that sparkling trip around the bases. It is, therefore, Hobbs' courage
and ultimate
embracing of right even in the face of temptation and wrong off the field that proves just as
crucial to the
meaning of the story as his heroics on it. A man with mistakes in his past that would have cost
lesser individuals their very existences, Roy Hobbs chose instead to embrace his fate and regain
his standing as an honorable and successful man, even if it meant readjusting his entire baseball
repertoire to succeed as a hitter rather than as a pitcher. His success with the Knights
stem from both his naturally God-given talents as a baseball player and also from his strength of
spirit to tackle life's most challenging hurdles both on the biggest of stages and in the smallest
recesses of his heart.
Though it's made of some darker elements, The Natural nevertheless proves a
wholesome and even timeless motion picture that uses baseball as a metaphor for success in life.
The movie's conflict stems not only from one man's remarkable recovery to find the glory that
was taken from him through no fault of his own save for his innocent and naïve hubris, but also
through his ability to rediscover and embrace the good things in his life and put the well-being
of others before his own. Though tempted, threatened, and rejected throughout, Roy Hobbs
finds success not just through his powerful swing but through the integrity of his soul that
ultimately makes for a story that's as much a triumph of the human spirit as it is a victory on the
scoreboard. It's a movie that only gets better with every viewing, with age, with one's greater
understanding of how the world works around them. The Natural works as Fantasy, as a
Baseball movie, as a Drama, making it a rare picture that offers a bit of something for everyone,
baseball fan or not. The story of a man coming full circle -- beginning a journey on the fields of
nowhere, USA and experiencing most everything life has to offer and culminating with successes
both on the field and in life -- make it a movie that speaks to audiences in search not of guidance
or
purpose but rather reassurance that fate and destiny sometimes have a funny way of taking
someone wherever it is they need to be, whether somewhere in the big city, on the baseball field,
or in the arms and heart of true love.
One of the more thematically purposeful, heartfelt, and entertaining movies -- sports or
otherwise -- of its or any time also proves a wonderfully constructed picture from a technical
perspective. Director Barry Levinson and Cinematographer Caleb Deschanel give the movie a
magical and mystical quality not only through the startlingly absorbing and heroic baseball
scenes, but through their ability to both capture the small details of the period and display many
perfectly-framed
shots that visually convey the nuances, purpose, and meaning of the story as much as, if not
more so than, the dialogue. Still, the honest performances from what is still today one of the
best casts in
recent memory reflect what the movie's all about
both on its surface and beneath the layers of baseball. Robert Redford's sincere take on Roy
Hobbs -- a hero who is quiet and unassuming, professional, mature even beyond his
character's somewhat advanced years, but nevertheless struggling even years after the fateful
shooting to find exactly who he is and what wrongs need be made right -- is a thing of constant
wonder as he graciously goes
about his business on the field but also stands up for himself, his manager, and his principles as
he fights to save his own soul as well as the team from both the bottom of the standings and the
pocket of a unscrupulous owner. Likewise, Glenn Close delivers a memorable and
Oscar-nominated effort as a homely and loving woman who hasn't betrayed Roy's place in her
heart and serves as a reminder to him of all that was once -- and could again be -- good in his life
as he fights to beat the odds and recapture both
the glory that would have been on the field and his soul off of it. Beyond Redford and
Close is a terrific ensemble collection of name and character actors, including Robert Duvall, Joe
Don Baker, Kim Bassinger, Barbara Hershey, Wilford Brimley, Richard Farnsworth, Michael
Madsen, Robert Prosky, and Darren McGavin, all of whom in some way define what the movie is
all about, whether through their impeccable period look and acting or their characters' traits,
motivations, and place in this wonderful story of a career -- and more importantly a man --
reborn. Finally, no review of The Natural would be complete without mention of what is
easily one of the finest scores in movie history courtesy of the legendary Randy Newman (Seabiscuit).
Triumphant and rousing, there's just nothing like Newman's heroic score blaring from the sound
system as Roy Hobbs circles the bases, surrounded by darkness and fiery sparks, the music an
absolute perfect companion that not only reinforces the awe-inspiring visuals of the film but
musically captures every thematic nuance as finely as Levinson and Deschanel do visually;
Newman's score is as iconic, fitting, memorable, and recognizable as any of the great movie
scores, including John Williams' Star Wars and Superman and James Horner's
Glory.
The Natural digs into Blu-ray and produces a 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer that's of a
remarkably high quality. No, this isn't the most pristine eye candy out there, but the Blu-ray
allows the picture to retain a classy, film-like texture that's bound to thrill longtime fans of the
movie with its excellent detailing and coloring. From the film's opening moments of an elder Roy
Hobbs awaiting his train to New York onward there's no question as to the quality of Sony's
handiwork. The filmic texture of the shot and the detail around the train platform impresses, and
subsequent flashback scenes
returning to Roy's childhood are defined by a gorgeous color palette dominated by golden wheat
fields and vibrant green grasses, the latter of which remains throughout the movie as seen in the
many baseball sequences. Colors indeed impress throughout, whether the bright yellows of a city
taxi cab or the wondrous blue skies hovering high above the ballparks. Likewise, fine object
detail, while often striking, can fall by the wayside in some of the more bland scenes (particularly
those at the maternity hospital later in the film), but viewers will more often than not note
exceptional imagery throughout. Indeed, texturing and detailing are rarely in question with this
image as evidenced by the wood grain structures on baseball bats; dirt, pebbles, and
concrete both inside and about the periphery of the dugouts; and the period clothing with
particular attention
paid to the woolen baseball uniforms seen throughout the movie with the transfer displaying
every
stray thread and fray to perfection. Likewise, overhead and closeup shots of the infield dirt
reveal the details of every footprint or the speckles of chalk that remain from the once-solid
white foul lines. Flesh tones appear suitably accurate throughout and influenced primarily by
various lighting conditions, while blacks remain stable and true in every dark scene. The transfer
does exhibit a touch of banding and a sprinkling of artifacts, neither of which are cause for much
concern and at most merit a passing comment. Still, The Natural retains a noticeably
prominent layer of film grain that lends to and rounds out an image that's spectacularly film-like
and sure to please longtime fans of the film.
The Natural swings for the fences and smacks a home run of a lossless soundtrack;
Sony's DTS-HD MA 5.1 presentation easily exceeds previous home video mixes and, perhaps most
importantly, breathes extraordinary life into Randy Newman's classic Americana-style score.
Indeed, it's beautifully realized in every scene in which it's used; listeners will enjoy the
culmination of instruments but the clarity of the track seems to make it possible to pinpoint each
one, whether horns, strings, or percussion, as the entire score is delivered with the utmost
fidelity
that only adds to its grand feel and stirs the soul all over again as Roy rounds the bases
in a literal blaze of glory. As the film begins, the track strongly asserts itself in the sound effects
department as Roy's train slowly rumbles from left to right across the soundstage with a
generous back-channel immersive support structure and a rumbling of tight bass for good
measure. Likewise, atmospherics are a strength of this mix. There's no shortage of immersive
environmental sound effects, whether cheering crowds at the ballgames or the background
ambience of buzzing insects and the din of a distant fairgrounds as Roy proceeds to strike out
"The Whammer" on three pitches. Additionally, thunder booms with authority several times and
subtly echoes about the listening area, and raindrops seem to fall and hit the ground all
throughout the soundstage. Dialogue is also reproduced without a hitch in every scene. Like the
video presentation, this isn't a high-powered or pristine affair, but it's an honest, satisfying, and
wonderfully-realized presentation of a movie and its score that will thrill dedicated fans.
This Blu-ray release of The Natural trots out a lineup of All-Star extras. When
Lightning
Strikes: Creating 'The Natural' (480p, 49:56) is a three-part documentary that looks at
Bernard Malamud's life and the novel of the same name that inspired the film, parallels between
segments of the story and real-life baseball history, the story's journey from page to screen, the
assemblage of the cast and crew, shooting locations, costume design, the look of the film, the
challenge of putting together the baseball scenes, assembling the film's climax, Randy Newman's
score and its importance to the film, and the movie's release and legacy. This is a well-produced,
smart, and comprehensive piece that's a must-see for fans of The Natural. Next up is
Extra Innings (480p, 7:12), a four-piece segment that looks more closely at several
elements of the film and the world surrounding it: Slow Motion (1:05); Uniform
Color (2:03); The Sandberg Game (1:50), a look at Major League Baseball star Ryne
Sandberg's Roy Hobbs-style game; and The President's Question (2:12), the recollection
of a question for Writer/Former Chairman of BBDO Noth America Phil Dusenberry from President
Ronald Reagan about the film.
Clubhouse Conversations (480p, 15:25) features Men at Work author George
Will; Actor Robert Redford; Broadcaster Bob Costas; Writer Rob Edelman; Broadcaster Charley
Steiner; and current and former Major League Baseball players Don Mattingly, Jason Giambi, and
Ryne Sandberg
speaking on the greatness of baseball, the challenges of the sport, the uniqueness of the sport's
combination of team and individual play, its status as America's pastime, the current state of the
game, and the allure and legacy of The Natural. Next on the lineup card is A Natural
Gunned Down: The Stalking of Eddie Waitkus (480p, 17:08), an examination of the true-life
baseball player whose career was sidelined when he was shot by an obsessed fan. Knights in
Shining Armor: The Mythology of 'The Natural' (480p, 9:18) looks at the parallels between
The Natural and the world of ancient mythology and heroes. Finally, The Heart of
'The Natural' (480p, 44:06) is a film by Charles Kiselyak that features Director Barry
Levinson and baseball Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. sharing their extensive thoughts on baseball
and the film and how they both parallel many of the challenging aspects of life. Also included is
BD-Live functionality; Sony's MovieIQ connectivity; and 1080p
trailers for Ghostbusters, A River Runs Through
It, and Facing the Giants.
An incredible movie of the power of the human spirit and with an honest and important message
that says that it's never too late to realize one's dreams as long as the motives are good and the
intentions true, The Natural stands proudly as one of the finest sports films of all time,
and
like the best of its genre, it uses sport as but a backdrop for the deeper meaning to be found. It's
a
rare combination indeed to find a movie that's so enthralling both superficially and thematically as
this; The Natural holds up incredibly well to a multitude of viewings thanks to its ability
to
effortlessly combine baseball and life into one incredible tale of a man's return to glory both on
the
field and in his soul. Supported by astounding direction and cinematography, superb acting, and
an
unforgettable score, The Natural is a Hall-of-Famer and arguably the finest baseball
movie
of all time. Sony's has done right by this timeless classic, bestowing it with a remarkable film-like
transfer, an equally splendid lossless soundtrack, and a comprehensive selection of extras. It
might not have
received perfect scores across the board, but the emotional depth of the movie, its replay value,
incredible visuals and acting,
status as an all-time classic, and this superb Blu-ray presentation earn The Naturalmy
highest recommendation.
On a personal note, I'd like to dedicate this review to my dad who passed away in early March
of this year. He was largely responsible for shaping my love of movies and encouraging me to
become the best writer and reviewer I could be, and he was always eager to see what I would
come up with
for each of the many hundreds films I've reviewed over the past several years. He himself was a
movie lover and was particularly fond of baseball movies; he always said, "there's no such thing
as a bad baseball movie," and I have to agree. It seems only fitting to dedicate The
Natural to him; the film and baseball both may be seen as metaphors for the journey that is
life, including its ups and downs and the many innocently fleeting moments in between that
seemed so unimportant then but, when faced with a loss of this magnitude, suddenly become
cherished memories that shape the greater whole and add depth and understanding to the larger
moments that until now seemed the only things to define who my dad was. On the day of his
passing, I'll never forget telling a police officer on the scene that "he was my dad." Four words so
small and simple yet saying so much; ultimately, for everything that he was and that made him
into
the man I remember, he was first, foremost, and always, my dad. He's had his turn at bat and
has circled the bases of life, making everyone that knew him proud, cheering his name,
remembering him for what he accomplished and might have still been. A writer himself with
many words that have sadly gone unread, he was, like Roy Hobbs, a natural, not with the
baseball bat but with the creative mind and utmost dedication and love to both the written word
and to the happiness and well-being of his son that certainly made me proud to call him "dad." I
miss you, dad, and I love you. As he used to sign off on each E-mail he'd send me, "that's all,
folks!"
Martin Wayne Liebman, Sr., April 1, 1947-March 6, 2010.
"He was my dad."
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced 'The Natural' for release on Blu-ray on April 6. This baseball movie, starring Robert Redford, was initially slated to come out three years ago, simultaneously with the director's cut DVD, but was pulled from the schedule. ...
