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The D Train
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray A - America - Paramount Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Abraham Phillips (14th September 2015). |
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The Film
 This was a film that had promise, but in the end it fell flat, and had no real value to remember. A wonderful cast of performers is the only real thing going for it and they could not save this disjointed film. "The D Train" is equal parts drama and dark humor. I wanted to like this movie, and I thought I would after seeing the trailers, but in the end I felt it was a total waste of time. Your main character Daniel Landsman, played by funny man Jack Black, is trying to organize a class reunion. Daniel was the unlikable person, the outcast in high school, and so most don’t even remember him or even care. No one is taking his invitation for a class reunion. Just when he is about to give up, he sees Oliver Lawless (James Marsden) on a TV commercial. Oliver was the most popular kid in school. Daniel believes if he can get Oliver to say yes for a reunion, then he hopes that others would agree to take part. The chemistry between Black and Marsden is solid, and is what makes the picture mostly watchable. That is really about the only redeeming value of this picture. The supporting cast is also stacked with talent, the wonderful Kathryn Hahn, Jeffrey Tambor, Mike White, Henry Zebrowski, Kyle Bornheimer, Dermot Mulroney, and Donna Duplantier, which all give well-crafted performances. The newcomer Russell Posner is actually quite amazing as Black’s son in the film; providing a shinning light to a overly dismal movie. Posner has a natural talent which I think he will have a bright future ahead of him. Like I say, amazing cast, but in the end, they could not save the movie. I think the biggest problem with the film is it did not know what it really was. Was it a comedy? Or a drama? Could it be both? Yes, but it wavered so much that it over clouded the comedy and in the end fell flat. I didn’t know if, and when, I should laugh, or if that part was serious. I think the overarching problem is that the film was poorly scripted and directed.
Video
Presented in the film's original theatrical ratio of 2.40:1 mastered in 1080p HD 24/fps using AVC MPEG-4 compression. The transfer is vibrant in color. There's no flaw in this department. The imagery looks as if it should, bright and with lots of detail.
Audio
There's a single English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround (48kHz/24-bit). This is another great example of a technically solid blu-ray. Everything sounds crisp, detailed and you come away satisfied with the end product through the audio on display here. Optional subtitles are included in English, English for the hearing impaired, French, and Spanish.
Extras
The only supplements we have here are a collection of deleted scenes and a gag reel. The gag reel has a running time of 3:38 and is in 1080p, it's a fairly generic reel of flubs. The deleted scenes included are: - "I’m Home" with a running time of 25 seconds. - "In the Bedroom" with a running time of 24 seconds. - "Fatherly Advice" with a running time of 44 seconds. - "Getting Ready" with a running time of 38 seconds. - "Cancelled Plans" with a running time of 1 minute 48 seconds. - "Girlfriend" with a running time of 18 seconds. - "Dan at the Reunion" with a running time of 1 minute 23 seconds. - "Nosey Neighbors" with a running time of 1 minute 20 seconds. You also get an insert for a code for a digital copy of the Film.
Packaging
Comes packaged in a standard blu-ray case with wrap around artwork.
Overall
I would have to say skip buying, and just rent it if you must. It’s a film that does have some promise, laughs and great chemistry, but ultimately failed.
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