Million Dollar Arm Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Stephen Hornbrook

Million Dollar Arm

Synopsis

Based on a true story, sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm) finds that business has changed and things aren’t going well for his career. In a last ditch effort to save his livelihood he concocts a scheme to find baseball’s next great pitching ace. Hoping to find a young cricket pitcher he can turn into a major league baseball star, JB travels to India to produce a reality show competition called “The Million Dollar Arm.” With the help of cantankerous but eagle-eyed retired baseball scout Ray Poitevint (Alan Arkin), he discovers Dinesh (Madhur Mittal) and Rinku (Suraj Sharma), two young men who have no idea about playing baseball, yet have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to sign them to major league contracts and make a quick buck, JB brings the boys home to America to train. While the Americans are definitely out of their element in India — the boys, who have never left their rural villages — are equally challenged when they come to the States. As the boys learn the finer points of baseball — JB, with the help of his charming friend Brenda (Lake Bell) — learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family.

Specifications

  • Disney
  • 2014, Color, rated: PG, 2 hours 4 Minutes
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
  • 1080p
  • English DTS-HD MA 5.1
  • Starring: Jon Hamm, Alan Arkin, Lake Bell, Aasif Mandvi
  • Directed by Craig Gillespie

Rating

  • Entertainment:
  • Video:
  • Audio:
  • Extras:
  • Violence: No
  • Sex: No
  • Language: No

Commentary

Hollywood movies with an Indian angle are few and far between. Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel all come to mind. Million Dollar Arm certainly doesn’t try to be the epics that Life of Pi and Slumdog are, but it also didn’t muster up quite the same magical charm that Marigold Hotel had. It is a classic feel good sports movie in the likes The Rookie and Remember the Titans, among many others. Personally, these are not my favorite types of movies, so I was not as emotionally invested in JB Bernstein, Dinesh and Rinku. Jon Hamm does play the selfish sports agent well and Arkin does a fine job as well. A bit predictable, but a fun and heartwarming film in the end and one I can definitely recommend to fans of the genre. The fact that it is based on a true story really does add to its charm. One interesting note is that the film is directed by Craig Gillespie who also directed the excellent film “Lars and the Real Girl” which is also worth checking out.

Technical

The look of Million Dollar Arm is very warm and muted and thus doesn’t have the vibrant pop as some transfers do. Still, it is a quality transfer with plenty of detail and balanced colors, fitting I”m sure the directors intent. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack is along the same lines. Plays it safe for this kind of movie without heavy use of surrounds or low frequency. It fit’s the movie just fine, but may not be the greatest demo flick for your home theater. Still, a proper job once again by the folks at Disney. The movie does feature a nice score by the oscar-winning composer of Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman.

Extras

Making-of Featurettes: Training Camp – Actors Suraj Sharma and Madhur Mittal faced the same daunting challenge that their characters Rinku and Dinesh did—learning how to pitch a baseball. Their Story – The real JB Bernstein, Rinku and Dinesh explore the legacy of the Million Dollar Arm contest and its impact on the lives and aspirations of children in India…and their own lives as well. Million Dollar Music by A.R. Rahman – The Oscar-winning composer (Best Original Score, “Slumdog Millionaire,” 2008) talks about creating music that encompasses two worlds—India and the U.S. Alternate Ending, Deleted Scenes, and Outtakes