Miracle [Blu-ray]
by Gavin O'Connor
![Miracle [Blu-ray]](/images/Miracle-Blu-ray-B001UREJY0-L.jpg)
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Kurt Russell, Noah Emmerich, Patricia ClarksonDirector: Gavin O'Connor
Brand: Buena Vista Home Video
Blu-ray: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); French (Original Language); Spanish (Original Language)
Format: Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.40:1
Running Time: 136 minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: 2009-06-16
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Product features:
- The studio that brought you THE ROOKIE and REMEMBER THE TITANS presents a new reason to stand up and cheer: MIRACLE is here on Disney Blu-ray! Now the action-packed true story that united a nation is more exhilarating and suspenseful than ever in heart-racing high definition! Kurt Russell stars as Herb Brooks, the dynamic and determined coach of the 1980 United States Olympic ice hockey team. Broo
Movie Reviews of Miracle [Blu-ray]
Movie Review: Blu-ray: An inspiring film that is one of the more realistic sports films out there but is it worth the double dip?
Summary: 5 Stars
1979-1980...the United States of America was in a difficult position from in the late 70's with water shortages, oil shortages (which led to long lines at the gas pump since gas stations didn't have enough gas), Jimmy Carter vs. Ronald Reagan and the Iran hostage crisis. As 1980 came, there was one major highlight in sports history for the United States that won the hearts of millions and that was the underdog United States men's hockey team defeating the "unbeatable" Soviet team in the medal round. That moment in time sports announcer Al Michaels said "Do you believe in miracles?" and from that win, the game was dubbed a "miracle".
In 2004, Walt Disney Pictures and director Gavin O'Connor ("Tumbleweeds" and "Pride and Glory"), writer Eric Guggenheim, actor Kurt Russell ("Stargate", "Backdraft", "The Thing", and "Escape from New York"), composer Mark Isham ("Crash", "Next", "Invincible" and "Pride and Glory"), cinematographer Dan Stoloff "Tumbleweeds", "The Vagina Monologues" and "The Prince") came together to recreate this moment of time and adapt it into a film.
Working with the coach of the 1980 United States Olympic ice hockey team, Herb Brooks (who passed away before the film was completed) and several of the players from the team, the filmmakers and the athletes and the talent would come together and make a film that would be true to how the original people were but to have a film that was as authentic and real, so that meant having actors who can play hockey and even have to participate in grueling and challenging moments in order to understand how strict the coach was on the players and how they needed to prepare for the Olympics.
"MIRACLE" documents the challenges that the players had to go from day one up to the actual 1980's Olympic games but also challenges some of the players and the coach had to face off the ice.
The film would earn its distinction as one of the most accurate looking sports films ever and also take home "Best Sports Movie" at the ESPY Awards in 2004.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"MIRACLE" is featured in 1080p High Definition with an aspect ratio of 2:40:1. The picture quality does feature grain throughout but you can see the quality from Kurt Russell's skin pores, detail on the clothing. Low light scenes look great with no digital compression artifacts and no dust or scratches. Skin detail can be seen quite well during the dark as well.
Director Gavin O'Connor and Director of Photography Daniel Stoloff did a great job in capturing the look and feel of that time. From hair styles, clothing, closeups but most of all capturing all the action on the ice.
As for audio, audio is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (also, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital). Director Gavin O'Connor was very much involved with the audio process and making sure that the sounds of hockey, from the puck hitting a post, body clashing on the barriers, pucks being hit, skates on the ice were captured. Sounds of various players from different countries communicating to each other in their own language was covered. The cheers from the audience would come alive through the audio.
With that being said, the audio is front channel heavy. Audio is quite clear and the music by Mark Isham comes alive as well. But I was no immersed in sound as I was hoping to be. Rear surrounds were used sparingly but I suppose I was expecting a full round of audience cheering all around me but that didn't happen. Everything seemed as if it was all front channel driven. I don't recall any low frequency sounds utilizing the subwoofer as well.
But overall, dialogue is clear and understandable. Music is clear and heard quite well. But I wish the audio was more immersive and utilized the rear audio channels even more.
As for subtitles, the film is presented in English, English SDH and French.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
MIRACLE comes with a good number of special features. Included are:
* Audio Commentary by Director Gavin O'Connor, Director of Photography Dan Stoloff and Editor John Gilroy -
* The Making of Miracle - (17:52) Behind the scenes on the making of "MIRACLE". How Director Gavin O'Connor wanted authenticity and the talent needing to go through training camp and having to take the physical hits, having to go through similar grueling conditioning that Coach Herb Brooks put the 1980 Olympic Men's Ice Hockey team through. Having to bring Al Michaels to re-record certain play-by-play calls and much more. Capturing the game from that time period and making things look authentic nearly 25 years later.
* From Hockey to Hollywood: The Actor's Journeys - (27:31) An interesting interview as we get some of the original team members with the actors who are portraying them. The actors talk about their roles and trying to make sure that they were like the actual actors. Original athletes of the 1980 team talking about how the talent were almost like spitting image of them during that time.
* The Sound of Miracle - (10:24) As the Director Gavin O'Connor wanted to create authenticity of the game. It was important to get the sounds of the game incorporated in the film. This featurette shows us how that was done.
* Miracle ESPN Roundtable with Linda Cohn - (41:08) Linda Cohn interviews actor Kurt Russell and 1980 United States Olympic ice hockey team members Mike Eruzione, Buzz Schneider and Jim Craig. From discussions of the comparison of the film and what happened in real life and remembering Coach Herb Brooks and what Kurt Russell did to play the role of the coach.
* First Impressions: Herb Brooks with Kurt Russell and the Filmmakers - (21:13) Herb Brooks passed away before the film was completed but the filmmakers had footage of when they met with Herb Brooks and getting to know the man. Brooks talked about his emotions of being part of the 1960 US Olympic Men's Ice Hockey team but then getting cut before the day of the Olympics and the emotions he head then and also as a coach.
* Outtakes - (4:52) - The bloopers and outtakes from the film.
The special features are all featured in 480i Standard definition and with English 2.0 Dolby Digital audio. Subtitles for the special features are in English SDH, French and Spanish.
JUDGMENT CALL:
When I was younger, I can easily remember watching the 1980's US Men's Olympic Hockey Team beating the Soviets and watching as many of the games before the medal rounds and literally be entranced by the moment.
After watching "MIRACLE", I was amazed by how much went into the creation of this film in order to capture the authentic feel of the game but everything that went on behind-the-scenes such as the players calling themselves only by their characters names, going through extensive hockey training and preparing them for actual grueling scenes of conditioning (especially having to take part in actual "Herbies" that the 1980 United States Olympic ice hockey team had to go through), having to endure actual hockey body-to-body hits and much more.
Kurt Russell also determined to capture Coach Herb Brooks in his mannerisms and even going so far in reality not introducing himself to the talents and keeping his distance in order to capture Brooks attitude towards his players.
Sports films are typically, make or break. People know when actors are playing sports films because scenes are not realistic. But what made this film work so well was the preparation that Director Gavin O'Connor demanded and got from his crew and talent in capturing authenticity. From making hockey look like hockey, the sounds are captured authentically for the film and more.
As for the Blu-ray, picture quality is good and definitely much better than its DVD counterpart. Audio is clear and understandable but I wish that the rear surrounds were utilized much more, especially to make the audio of the crowds much more immersive and make you feel that you were there. The special features were all informative and fun to watch.
But for those who own the original 2-disc DVD, there's not much of anything extra on this Blu-ray disc in terms of features but you do get the 1080p High Definition transfer which looks great and a DTS-HD Master Audio track. So, if you really enjoyed the film, you'll enjoy the High Definition transfer on Blu-ray.
Whether or not you enjoy hockey, "MIRACLE" is about adversity, team work, rising from the bottom to the top and an awesome and nostalgic return to that moment in time to show us that "miracles do happen".
Do you believe in miracles? "MIRACLE" is highly recommended!
Summary of Miracle [Blu-ray]
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