Review of Days Of Thunder

Introduction

Cole Trickle (Cruise) is a small time driver getting his big chance but failing to grab the importance of the situation. he sets about upsetting everyone around him including his main rival on the track and his crew chief Harry Hogge (Duvall). Hogge is dragged out of retirement by a local car dealer Tim Daland (Quaid) who discovered Trickle racing the drt tracks of North America.

Trickle is made aware that he has to grow up quickly if he is to attain his dream of winning the big race. Does he do this? What do you think, it`s a Tom Cruise film!

Video

A print that is certainly showing it`s age. Although nearly completely free of dirt and noise, the 2.35:1 non-anamorphic picture is quite dull in places although remains acceptably sharp throughout. You can`t help thinking though that someone lent on the conrast button when the disk was being mastered.

The racing scenes don`t improve the matter either, with the impression that the footage was taken from real race sequences and just added later. You can always tell when this has been done as it never looks quite right.

Audio

I was dissapointed by the standard of the audio track on this disk. The box states a 5.1 mix and the thought of that and the oval racing with big V8`s screaming around had memories of Super Speedway ringing in my ears.

Oh dear.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The racing sequences never really get going and the rest of the film is mainly centred on the front stage, and the centre at that.

Features

A theatrical trailer and a single sheet of paper in the box comprise the `extras` on this disk.

Ah well, maybe next time.

Conclusion

With a bit more care and attention to detail this could have been a great disc, the film has all the ingredients with the topic such as it is.

Unfortuantly it is let down by a poorish picture and an unexciting soundtrack.

The film itself is typical early Cruise fare, happy ending and all. He even gets to kiss Nicole Kidman which makes a change.

Better luck next time Paramount.