DVD Corner's blog

Planes, Trains And Automobiles 4K UHD Review

“Planes, Trains And Automobiles” hits 4K just in time for Thanksgiving.

With Thanksgiving this week, Paramount has recently trotted out what is arguably the best and most well known Thanksgiving movie for the first time on 4K. The movie is, of course, “Planes, Trains And Automobiles.” The simple, hilarious and heartfelt film revolves around two polar opposite men (Neal and Del) trying to get back home. A seemingly simple journey turns into an utter nightmare as everything that can go wrong does. 

It should go without saying that the late great John Hughes is the master of holiday movies. He wrote the first 2 “Home Alone” films, he wrote “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and he also wrote and directed “Planes, Trains And Automobiles.” While the movie is littered with comedic hijinks involving everything from sinus clearing to a destroyed car, it’s the core story about loneliness, family, and friendship that really connect here. Neal and Del are completely different people with Neal being a family man with a good marketing job and Del being a lonely, lower class shower ring salesman, but their unlikely friendship and journey together is what makes the movie so charming. 

Naturally, it is stars Steve Martin and John Candy that really sell the movie though. Their chemistry together is undeniable. Candy may have the more amusing and comedically showier role, but Martin’s reactions to and interactions with Candy are equally vital to both the movie and the comedy. Together this duo managed to make real movie magic together.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.78:1 2160p. How does it look? You may have already heard many in the home video community voicing their displeasure about the 4K release. Sadly, the criticisms are justified. It looks like a real rush job with its patchy, fuzzy, and overly processed image quality. You’re better off with the Blu-ray at this juncture.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? An effective 5.1 track that is the same one featured on the Blu-ray.

Extras:
* Digital copy
* On The 4K- “Getting There Is Half The Fun: The Story Of Planes, Trains And Automobiles” featurette, “John Hughes: Life Moves Pretty Fast” (a two-parter about his art and legacy), “John Hughes For Adults” (part interview, part featurette) and the moving “A Tribute To John Candy.”
* The crown jewel here is a Blu-ray Bonus Disc full of brand new extras that include a 3 ½ minute audition video of Dylan Baker as Owen and 10 deleted/extended scenes (which include more John Candy gems).

November 22, 2022 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Holiday Movie, John Candy, John Hughes, Planes Trains And Automobiles 4K, Planes Trains And Automobiles 4K UHD Review, Steve Martin, Thanksgiving Movie