2008 Philadelphia Phillies – World Series Fall
Classic 2008 (Shout! Factory
Blu-ray)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: B Film: A
Not since
the team’s World Series win in 1980 has the city of Philadelphia been so
overfilled with joy for a sports team.
With 15 years since the team has got to smell the grass on a World
Series field and 28 years since they got to taste sweet, victorious, success;
it was about time for a big win.
Philadelphia is a city of big sports teams that get so close year after year
and lose it all in the end; so experiencing a World Series win was serene for
the city of brotherly love. Until the
parade that is! This 2008 Philadelphia Phillies- World Series
Fall Classic film reviews the Phillies’ road to the World Series in a manner
that captures all the heart, excitement, and teeth clenching action that was
there all season long.
Shane
Victorino, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell,
and all the rest of the Phillies that made the 2008 Season possible shine in
their full glory on this World Series Blu-ray.
For whatever reason, after seeing the games Live on television and the
insurmountable amount of highlight footage on ESPN, this Blu-ray still made the
footage feel as fresh as ever. The games
leading up to the World Series are portrayed in the manner they deserve; as a
long and hard fought journey, with many twists and turns along the way. The World Series Games themselves are epic to
say the least and overflow with Philadelphia’s undying love for their team
(though it is tough love at times).
There are a ton of interviews spread throughout the Blu-ray; including
thoughts and emotions from the Phillies’ players and managers, to a plethora
other enthusiastic sports’ officials.
Over all the feature is amazingly well done and it is not boring for one
moment. Each segment of the Blu-ray
evolves with exact precision to heighten the already exhilarating 2008 Phillies
Season. This Blu-ray is a Grand Slam!
Though
the film has managed to capture all the thrills and chills of the Phillies epic
2008 Season the picture and sound quality fail to deliver the same level of
enthusiasm. The picture is presented in
a 1080i AVC, 1.33 X 1 full frame with only a little over half of the season’s
footage being presented in widescreen HD and it is very obvious. The interviews on the Blu-ray all took place
post-World Series and for the most part are a solid high definition
presentation; the actual game footage, however, is a mixed bag. Some games’ footage are HD and others are a
standard (fuzzy) definition mess.
Whereas the picture is a definite upgrade from the DVD release, it is
certainly not the best Blu-ray this reviewer has seen. The sound could have been better as it is
presented in a PCM 5.1 Lossless track that once again has solid post-World
Series interviews (as far as sound quality), but lacks very much range during
actual game footage. On the whole the
picture and sound quality are better than any standard release, but far from
the best HD picture or lossless audio out there.
The
extras are plentiful and very entertaining as they throw out a variety of
special features for anyone to enjoy.
The extras include a Shane Victorino exclusive sound clip compilation
with “Best Wire Clips” (specially microphoned for certain games) and a “This
Week in Baseball” segment that takes the audience on a tour of Shane’s home
(sort of like MTV Cribs). Also on the
extras is the NL East Clincher that highlights the final moments between
Philadelphia and Washington, NSDL Clincher with the final moments of the
Philadelphia/Brewers showdown, NLCS Clincher that highlights the Phillies
match-up with the Dodgers. In a truly
memorable fashion the extras include the final 3 outs of the World Series as
well as a separate segment that includes the entire trophy ceremony to those
fantastic Phil’s.
The
picture and sound may not be the best Blu-ray has ever seen, but the content is
all there; capturing every exhilarating moment.
As a long time Phillies fan I can say this Blu-ray is excellent. It made me feel as if I was watching it for
the first time all over again. There
were moments of ‘OH MAN!’ where family members looked at me crossed eyed and
exclaimed ‘You already saw this!’ The
Phillies 2008 was truly awe inspiring and this Blu-ray will remind Phillies
fans across the board of just how good that season was. How did they do it? I guess it was just in the cards…the baseball
cards.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
