BLU-RAY REVIEW

Front Runner, The

Featured In Issue 238, April 2019

Picture4.5
Sound4
WSR Score4.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
54648
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Language including sexual references
(Retail Price):
$34.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
113
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
ABC
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
2/12/2019
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Jason Reitman
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Subtitles):

In "The Front Runner," Senator Gary Hart's (Jackman) presidential campaign in 1988 is derailed when he's caught in a scandalous love affair. Based on a true story and the book "All The Truth Is Out" by Matt Bai. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Jason Reitman, the featurette "The Unmaking Of A Candidate" (HD 15:39), three deleted scenes (HD 04:23), upfront previews, and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed using the Panavision PanaflexMillennium XL2 camera system on Kodak Vision3 film stock in Super 35 and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. Film grain is very light and the imagery consists of live action and stock footage. The picture exhibits a natural presence throughout with a beautiful color palette. Hues are rich and warm with no exaggerations. Fleshtones are naturally hued and healthy. Contrast is well balanced. Black levels and shadow delineation are excellent, as are lighting highlights. Resolution is good. Facial features, skin pores and hair are nicely resolved, as well as clothing and textural attributes of objects. Offices reveal era televisions, telephones, and typewriters. Still, there is no mistaking this is film with just a bit softer light-grain appearance. The picture is nicely filmic and really captures the era, and is sure to satisfy. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack nicely delivers the political atmospherics of the period. There is an almost constant level of dialogue and political chatter, which at times sounds confusing. Office chatter and atmospherics are prominent throughout such as in office settings and numerous campaign stops. Foley sound effects are impressively executed, which enhances the realism. Primary dialogue is often difficult to discern with all the surrounding and background chatter, such as din in newspaper offices and campaign offices, and during press conferences with cameras and flashes clicking obsessively. Dialogue integration varies from good to normal but is always intelligible. Throughout, piano music dots in and out. The music extends wide and deep across the soundstage and extends to the surrounds. The surrounds also provide a home for subtle atmospherics every so often. Fidelity is excellent throughout. This is a soundtrack completely comprised of recognizable sonics and delivers a satisfying experience. (Gary Reber)