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TIT

'The Natural (Director's Cut)'
(Robert Redford, Glenn Close, et al / DVD / PG / (1984) 2007 / Sony Pictures)

Overview: An unknown middle-aged batter named Roy Hobbs with a mysterious past appears out of nowhere to take a losing 1930s baseball team to the top of the league in this magical sports fantasy. With the aid of a bat cut from a lightning struck tree, Hobbs lives the fame he should have had earlier when, as a rising pitcher, he is inexplicably shot by a young woman.

DVD Verdict: Obviously a feel good sports movie with lots of supporters and fans, `The Natural' is one of those movies I'd been told about, been told to watch but never had the desire to do so. Last night though (and with the new Baseball season now upon us), my wife and I decided to give this new 2-Disc Director's Cut a try; and while I will think that it is just that, a feel good sports movie, I was most certainly imspired and definitely left impressed.

Roy Hobbs (Redford) wanted to play baseball since he was a young boy, and he was always a natural, a very talented athlete. Right before he was able to break into the majors though, he was shot and ended up `sidetracked' for fifteen years. All that time has passed and he mysteriously shows back up in an attempt to finally play major league ball. He's picked up by the New York Knights, reluctantly, but soon proves his weight with the help of his trusty bat `Wonderboy'.

What Roy soon learns is that the team he was sold to is in trouble. The owner of the team, Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley), has entered into a forced agreement with The Judge (Robert Prosky) that if the Knights don't make it into the World Series then Pop will have to sell his share to The Judge, but if they do win the Pennant then Pop will own the team in full. The Judge is soon frazzled by the appearance of Roy and is soon trying to bribe him to throw the final game, losing the Pennant.

The cast is quite strong, and sure the script is fluff and corny at best - how else could Roy disappear for fifteen years and then reappear with absolutely no one knowing what happened to him? Not even his one time fiancé Iris (Glen Close)? - but it's OK and doesn't distract from the film (to much) in the slightest. Robert Redford is fine, not great, no where near as good as he's been before, but it's truly Robert Duval and Kim Basinger who steal the show with their turns as the reporter and the woman that get too close.

In closing, 'The Natural' is a wonderful tribute to the "Boys of Summer" and "America's favorite past-time." It is a very fine cinematic shooting re: angles, shadows, lighting and done just right to compliment the era and the story. Your time will not be wasted watching this one! This is a Widescreen presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

"A Natural Gunned Down" The stalking of Eddie Waitkus featurette
"Clubhouse Conversations" featurette
"Extra Innings 1: Slow Motion" featurette
"Extra Innings 2: Uniform Color" featurette
"Extra Innings 3: The Sandberg Game" featurette
"Extra Innings 4: The President’s Question" featurette
The mythology of The Natural featurette
"The Heart of The Natural" featurette
Three "Creating The Natural" featurettes
Video Introduction by Barry Levinson
Digitally Remastered Audio and Video

www.SonyPictures.com





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