The Bad News Bears [DVD] [1976]

A major surprise as one of 1976's top grossing films. The Bad News Bears is a movie about children that is refreshing, utterly believable, and quite cleverly funny. Walter Matthau is at his absolute best as the grumbling beer-guzzling former minor-league pitcher who gets roped into coaching a band of half-pint misfits somewhat loosely called a team. With this bunch in uniform, it's impossible to get caught up in the suburban competitive spirit that drives other adults to extremes of parental discipline. So, instead, the Bears have a good time.

A surprise hit in 1976, The Bad News Bears is the story of a grumpy coach and a bunch of untalented kids learning the hard way about sportsmanship and winning the day. Sadly, Paramount has put little to no effort in this first-ever DVD edition of this film. The 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer often looks washed out and soft. While the colors and black levels usually look clean and even, there is often a good amount of dirt or grain in the image which can be distracting to the viewing. The audio is presented in a newly created 5.1 soundtrack and is hardly impressive; directional sounds are sparse with the bulk of the soundtrack filtered through only the center speaker. Channel separation is used in a few instances during the ball game scenes, though otherwise this is a very boring and flat 5.1 remix. Also included on this disc are English subtitles. For those looking for extra features, you'd better be looking elsewhere. Not one single solitary supplement is included on this DVD edition of The Bad News Bears. For a film that has garnered a loyal fan base, this DVD is one big strike out.