Review of Best Shot (aka Hoosiers)

Introduction

Best shot (Hoosiers was its U.S. title) is Footloose meets A League Of Our Own (I honestly can`t think of a basket ball movie). It has the fast paced youthful attitude and at the same time a sweet mushiness and not forgetting that overused cliche of the underdogs winning against all odds.

Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper are the key players and offer some great performances. The film is a little slow to get going but once the games begin were treated to some fast pace edge-of-your-seat action.

This is very eighties and follows the formula for that decade to the letter. This is a heart warming and proficient movie that still holds up to some of today`s sentimental drivel. Although it does look a little dated.

Video

A slightly grainy 1.85:1 Anamorphic transfer failed to impress. Colours are washed out and blacks lean towards grey when they should be solid. Whites, especially the brighter moments flare and halo to distraction, Edge enhancement is also evident throughout. That said there is only a small amount of macro blocking on large areas of solid colour.

Audio

A rather weak 5.1 Dolby Digital mix that never delivers the true punch it should. Surrounds are used but sound unnatural and strained. Pushing the volume level higher gives extra bass but hurts the ears with a shrill mid range. For a film that`s over 15-years-old I didn`t expect Phantom Menace style sound, but there are many movies out there that are just as old and have delivered better sonic performance.

Features

Just the lonely old theatrical trailer!

Conclusion

A pleasant movie that`s stuck back in the eighties formulaic rut. Poor sound and unimaginative extras added to the poor picture rendering don`t help this DVD.