Forrest Gump

Reviewed by Drav3n

Format: Blu-ray

Release: November 3, 2009

Rated: PG-13

Runtime: 141 Minutes

"If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, they're yours; if they don't they never were." - Richard Bach

The Movie:

What really needs to be said about this film that hasn't already been said? Robert Zemeckis' 1994 Academy Award winning film for best picture, actor and director will always remain as one of the greatest films of all time. Tom Hanks provides a spectacular performance as Forrest, a physically and mentally slow-developing character. The film heavily incorporates his journies meeting historical figures, historical events of the late 20th century, and his influence with pop culture.

The movie is told as a flashback by Forrest while sitting on a bench waiting for the bus. The movie follows him as he goes from being a child that was made fun of in school for wearing leg braces, to receiving a full schloraship to play college football, meeting the President, going to war, creating his own business and eventually going on a cross country trip several times...by running (all because of the girl that he loves, doesn't feel the same way for him).

The supporting cast consisting of Robin Wright Penn as Jenny, Gary Sinise as Lt. Dan, Sally Field as Forrest' mother, and Mykelti Williamson as Bubba were all memorable characters. Even Sinise, who had won for Best Supporting Actor at the 1994 National Board of Review of Motion Pictures and the 1995 Saturn Awards had one of the best performances in a movie I'd ever seen.

This movie shined on its state-of-the-art special effects, but the overall story of the film is why this will always be remembered. Yes, it's a love and loss story and there's been a million love stories to come before this movie and there have been millions that have followed this, but there are a very select few that will always be remembered the way this movie is remembered. The way the story is told and unfolds throughout keeps you on the edge of your seat. And everytime Forrest and Jenny would re-unite, you are led to start thinking this is when they will end up together. But as you watch, you realize that's never the case. The quote I used fits this movie perfectly. After he confesses his love and proposes her, she rejects it. But they always encounter each other, which leads to an incredible ending to this movie.

Unlike alot of other film director's, Zemeckis is one of those director's that is able to use special effects and make you appreciate how it was used. From his earlier and successful films of Back to the Future and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, to his most recent work of Beowulf and A Christmas Carol, all of his films have a way to leave a lasting effect on you, and Forrest Gump is one of those films that you will never forget!

Presentation:

Hands down, Forrest Gump looked great on dvd. How does this sixteen year old film look on blu-ray? One word: stunning! Even though there are a few speckles on the image, that takes nothing away from this transfer! The 2.35:1 full 1080p transfer is very sharp and contains a huge depth of detail, skin tones are very accurate, colors are very strong, and black levels are deep. The amount of detail on the facial close-ups is incredible. Easily, the best looking part of this film will come during the Vietnam scenes. The amount of detail is so fine, and the colors stand out the most in that sequence. Videophiles and fans of this movie will be absolutely satisfied with this transfer to HD. One of the best looking blu-ray's to be released in 2009!

Audio:

Paramount delivers this film with a lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master audio track. The film sounds just as amazing as it looks. The sound comes through delivering crystal clear dialogue, with powerful sounding sound effects and a beautiful sounding score. The audio really comes to life during the Vietnam scenes and the college football scenes. The sounds of the explosions and gunfire during the Vietnam scene is on par as sounding just as good as in the opening of Saving Private Ryan during the infamous Omaha Beach scene. Viewers will easily be impressed with what they hear and will ultimately be left satisfied.

Bonus Material:

• Audio Commentary - Featuring director Robert Zemeckis, producer Steve Starkey and production designer Rick Carter
• Audio Commentary - Featuring producer Wendy Finerman
• Musical Signposts to History (1080p, Runtime 3:54) - A short feature that discusses the soundtrack and score, and how the songs were paired up with the scenes. After this feature ends you will be prompted to choose how you want to view the film with the "Musical Signposts" feature. You can choose between "Manual," "Auto," or "Selective."
• Greenbow Diary (1080p, Runtime 25:59) - A really interesting feature that allows you to view the production of the film from the eye of a spectator. Also has interviews with the cast about the scenes as they were being filmed.
• The Art of Screenplay Adaptation (1080p, Runtime 26:58) - A look at the process of going from book to the big screen, the drafts of the screenplay and much more.
• Getting Past the Impossible: 'Forrest Gump' and the Visual Effects Revolution (1080p, Runtime 27:04) - An excellent feature that shows the creation of film's visual effects. You get to see how they "removed" Lt. Dan's legs, when Forrest met JFK, and more.
• Little Forrest (1080p, Runtime 14:48) - A short feature that focuses on the actor that played Forrest as a kid in the movie.
• An Evening with 'Forrest Gump' (1080p, Runtime 55:08) - Hanks, Sinise, Eric Roth and director Robert Zemeckis discuss the film at the University of Southern California.
• The Make-up of 'Forrest Gump' (480p, Runtime 8:03)
• Through the Ears of 'Forrest Gump:' Sound Design (480p, Runtime 15:45 ) - Sound designer Randy Thom discusses the process of creating the sound effects for five different scenes.
• Building the World of 'Gump:' Production Design (480p, Runtime 7:18)
• Seeing is Believing: The Visual Effects of 'Forrest Gump' (480p, Runtime 30:00) - Visual Effects supervisor Ken Ralston discusses how nine different scenes were created.
• Screen Tests (480p) - Michael Conner Humphreys, Hanna R. Hall, Robin Wright, and Haley Joel Osment.
• Trailers (1080p) - Theatrical (3:57) and Remember (1:13).

Bottom Line:

There is absolutely no reason for you to question yourself on this movie. The blu-ray transfer of this movie is absolutely gorgeous. Plus over two hours of new bonus features, this disc is a no-brainer. If you have a HDTV and a blu-ray player, this is a must-own movie to have in your collection!