Celtic Pride

The video presentation of "Celtic Pride" on Blu-ray, encoded in AVC with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, is evidently derived from an older master, which somewhat hampers its high-definition potential. The level of detail across the board fails to impress, manifesting a limited clarity primarily noticeable during moments of intense action or emotion, such as close-up shots that reveal sweat but lack sharpness in facial features. General scenes, including those capturing the dynamism of the crowd and on-court antics, suffer from a softness that detracts from an otherwise immersive experience. Color reproduction doesn't fare much better, with a prevailing mutedness that undermines what should be vibrant team jerseys and the lively streets of Boston. While certain elements manage to offer a semblance of vitality, the overall palette struggles to escape a certain dullness.

Skin tones throughout the film exhibit an almost pallid quality, further diminishing the visual realism one might expect from a Blu-ray presentation. Night scenes, in particular, reveal the limitations of the source's delineation capabilities, often leaving viewers straining for details within these darker settings. However, it's not all negative, as the physical condition of the source material appears commendably preserved, showing only minor speckling without significant damage or degradation. This indicates a respectful transfer process, even if the resultant image quality is unable to fully capitalize on the format's capabilities.

In summary, while the Blu-ray release of "Celtic Pride" does indeed bring this beloved film into the HD era, it does so with tangible reservations. The choice of an older master as the source results in a video presentation that is at times underwhelming, particularly in its portrayal of detail and color vibrancy. Fans may appreciate the effort to maintain the film's physical integrity, yet the end result leaves a feeling that more could have been achieved with a more recent or meticulously restored master to truly do justice to this classic’s visual potential.

The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio of "Celtic Pride" delivers an engaging, if somewhat unbalanced, aural experience. The soundtrack is marked by an aggressive fidelity, particularly during scenes of heightened emotion and the cacophony of basketball games. This aggression, however, comes across slightly hollow in certain moments, particularly in scenes set in echo-prone environments like basements and gymnasiums, where the lack of warmth in the tones is noticeable. Nevertheless, the mix finds its footing in more ambient settings, where the lack of echo allows its inherent vigor to shine through more evenly.

Dialogue clarity is one of the mix's strengths, conveying each line's intended intensity without succumbing to distortion, whether it be in the form of overly sharp highs or obscured lows. This clarity ensures that the film's rapid-fire exchanges and tension-filled discussions retain their impact, crucial for maintaining the narrative's pace and emotional stakes. The soundtrack and scoring selections contribute a needed heft to the presentation, with the music providing a stable backdrop that enhances rather than overwhelms. Instrumentation within these selections is well handled, adding depth where needed.

Special mention must be made of the sound effects and their role in bringing the vibrant atmosphere of Boston Garden to life. The audio mix excels in capturing the essence of being courtside, from the roar of the crowd to the detailed sounds of the game itself. This attention to ambient detail creates an immersive experience, transporting listeners directly into the heart of the action and maintaining the authenticity of the film's setting. In sum, while facing some challenges in terms of tonal balance, the mix adeptly supports and enhances the viewing experience with its dynamic range and clear dialogue.

The extra features of the "Celtic Pride" Blu-ray leave much to be desired, reflecting a missed opportunity to provide fans and viewers deep insights into the making or the thematic depth of the film. The commentary track featuring Tom DeCerchio and the enigmatically mentioned Mike Baumflah transforms what could have been an informative session into a session filled with in-jokes and distractions, straying far from relevant content about the filmmaking process. Their approach to humour in the commentary might work for some, appreciating the light-hearted tone, yet it disappoints those seeking earnest discussion on the film's production or its cultural impact. Adding to the confusion, the disc includes a Home Video Trailer mislabeled as a Theatrical Trailer, suggesting a lack of attention to detail in the disc's compilation, further diluting the value of the extra features offered.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Tom DeCerchio: A track filled with jokes and light-hearted banter rather than valuable insights into the film.
• Home Video Trailer: A standard-definition trailer, incorrectly listed on the packaging as a Theatrical Trailer.

Celtic Pride," initially springing from the comedic well of Judd Apatow's screenplay, fails to fully capture the ludicrous extents of sports fandom it ambitiously aims to satire. Through its portrayal of gym teacher Mike (Daniel Stern) and plumber Jimmy (Dan Aykroyd), two die-hard Boston Celtics fans, the film seeks to explore the fanatic dedication to and impact of sports teams on individuals' lives. Their actions, driven by an overwhelming desire to see their team win the NBA championship, escalate to the extreme measure of kidnapping the Utah Jazz's star player, Lewis (Damon Wayans), an action that is more a desperate bid for victory than a genuinely hilarious situation. This plot device, intended as the comedic heart of the film, instead highlights its lack of effective humor and a clear direction from director Tom DeCerchio, who opts for louder, less nuanced forms of comedy, neglecting the potential for a smarter, more satirical farce.

A potentially rich vein of comedy—arising from the absurdity of Mike and Jimmy's extreme actions and the exaggerated sports culture they represent—remains largely untapped. Instead of delving into the comedic goldmine of its premise, the movie diverts into a series of slapstick and argumentative moments that fail to build up to a coherent or hilariously escalating farce. The humor that could have been derived from DeCerchio's handling of fanatical sports culture and its impact on personal relationships is lost in translation, reducing what could have been an insightful critique into a loud but ultimately unfulfilling narrative.

While Apatow's original story may have hinted at a more nuanced take on sports fanaticism and identity, "Celtic Pride" ultimately serves as an example of missed opportunities. Its fundamental idea—exploring how individuals intertwine their identities with their sports teams—is commendable but poorly executed, overshadowed by a narrative that leans too heavily on superficial gags and broad comedy. The performances by Stern and Aykroyd add some color to their characters' fanaticism, but they're handcuffed by a script and direction that favor volume over subtlety, leaving "Celtic Pride" as a disjointed attempt to lampoon sports culture.

Celtic Pride's Blu Ray presentation finds itself navigating through the comedic misadventures of Mike and Jimmy, die-hard Celtic fans who find themselves entangled in the kidnapping of a rival team's star player. This premise sets the stage for a series of comedic turns that could have offered a rich exploration of fan obsession, sportsmanship, and redemption. However, the film struggles to fully capitalize on its potential, meandering through its narrative without the necessary guidance to elevate its more innovative ideas. Despite a promising start and an interesting setup, the execution falls short, with the movie spending an inordinate amount of time on the build-up to the big game finale without delivering the comedic payoff one might expect.

The technical aspects of the Blu Ray release do little to compensate for the film’s narrative shortcomings. The video transfer is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and detail that could have enhanced the visual experience, especially during the crucial game sequences where a sharper image would have added much-needed dynamism. Audio quality fares slightly better, adequately capturing the crowd's energy and the soundtrack's nuances, but it doesn't go beyond what's expected from a standard Blu Ray release.

In conclusion, while Celtic Pride's Blu Ray release presents an opportunity to revisit a unique sports comedy, it ultimately falls short of leaving a memorable impression. The film's inability to fully explore its comedic and satirical potential, combined with a lackluster technical presentation, makes this release a missed opportunity. Fans of the genre may find some enjoyment in the performances and the basic premise, but those looking for a more polished and engaging sports comedy experience might be left wanting.