DVDown Under REVIEW - Radio - Collector's Edition

Inspired by true events this story depicts a year in the life of Robert .Radio. Kennedy and how unintentionally he influences an entire small town community to become drawn closer together.

The backdrop for the story is South Carolina in 1976 where Harold Jones (Ed Harris) is head coach of a US High school football team. Rather than football being the main focus our attention is turned to a slightly intellectually impaired black young man who passes by the football training fields every session pushing a shopping trolley. One afternoon while minding his own business he gets harassed by members of the football team and locked in a storage room. Coach Jones punishes the players responsible and then invites their target to be part of the off field support team. At first the coach and his assistant cannot get him to speak and name him Radio due to his fondness to listening to the radio. Jones gradually integrates Radio into the support team, but not everyone is happy with this situation. The father of one of the team stars is less than impressed with the distraction that Radio often provides on the sidelines and campaigns to have his presence removed. This creates tension and some moral dilemmas to all those involved in helping Radio, particularly Jones who develops quite a bond with Radio.

This is a feel-good story and basically pulls at the heart strings quite deliberately as it depicts how a small town comes to accept Radio and how he affects their own lives and attitudes towards others. Ed Harris and Cuba Gooding Jr do great justice to their roles and are totally believable as the main characters.

So how does this DVD Scrub Up?

VIDEO
This Anamorphic Widescreen transfer (1.85:1 aspect ratio) has been handled extremely well and there are no detectable major problems. Images are clear and well defined and there are no transfer or film artefacts visible of any kind. Grain is also not an issue.

The colour palette is appropriate and well suited to the storyline with predominantly muted themes for clothing. Exterior scenes exhibit solid contrast and shadow detail is good. Skin tones are realistic and overall the visuals look very clean and pleasant to view.

The layer change occurs at 38:54 and while mid scene is relatively smooth with no disruption to audio or visuals.

AUDIO
An impressive English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is provided for this DVD. It is both powerful when required and appropriately subtle during quieter moments. The story is predominantly dialogue driven interspersed with some football action sequences. The dialogue is clear, except for Radio.s character which is necessarily muffled at times due to the character.s speaking manner. Audio synch is not an issue. The surrounds are used very effectively and come in strongly for the action scenes, mostly consisting of the football sequences but they are also used to provide more subtle ambience. Overall it creates a very nice all around sound that complements and supports the visuals.

The narrator (Debra Winger) comes on rather strong in the centre front channel, but this is only relevant at the beginning and end of the movie.

The musical score is quite dramatic and emotional at times and overall is quite dynamic consisting of both vocal and instrumental numbers.

EXTRAS

DISC 1 -

FEATURETTES

Tuning in on Radio :- This is basically a making of and shows behind the scenes and also interviews with the real coach Jones and how the real story was adapted and condensed to be suitable for an entertaining movie script. Shows the sets used and interviews with main cast and crew and images of Robert Radio Kennedy appearing on the set and interacting with Cuba Gooding Jr. Runs for 21:50
Audio Commentary with the director :- Michael Tollin provides an excellent commentary and gives some interesting analyses of the scenes being shown and why they were filmed in a particular way.

FEATURETTES

Writing Radio :- As the name suggests this featurette relates to the writing of the script and how the concept for the movie was stimulated by a Sports Illustrated article. Runs for 12:25.
The 12-Hour Football Games of Radio :- Shows how the football scenes were designed and how the participants were chosen through some rigorous selection processes. This was to ensure it was as realistic as possible with believable football sequences using players with genuine athletic ability. They shot for 12 hours a day so it was tough for all concerned. Interesting stuff and runs for 9.30.
Deleted Scenes :- comprises six deleted scenes with optional directors commentary and a total running time of 6.24. Low quality and not presented in an anamorphic widescreen format. In general the scenes were not essential to the story and the director explains his reasons for why they were filmed in the first place and then why they were eliminated.
Filmographies :- consists of static listings for the director, writer and major cast.
Trailers :- The trailer is presented in the same aspect ratio as the feature and exhibits similar quality. Sets up the story quite well. Runs for 1.46

Bonus trailer: A bonus trailer for Mona Lisa Smile as an upcoming release starring Julia Roberts is also included. Runs for 2.21

A very decent story suitable for family viewing that makes you feel good, presented on a good quality DVD with a good selection of extras. You just have to be in the mood for this type of movie.

DVD Ratings

PICTURE QUALITY	9/10 Visually attractive and no problems
SOUND QUALITY - Dolby	9/10 Quite impressive audio
5.1 WOW FACTOR	6/10 at the required times during action sequences
SOUND QUALITY - DTS	N/A
EXTRAS	7/10 quite a lot of interest to the overall DVD

Click HERE for Kathryn's Review Equipment

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