Extraordinary Measures – Blu-ray Review

The Film:

While it is unfair to fear having kids based on what if‘s, but I think I can safely speak for parents in saying that it might be the most damning thing to see a child deteriorate from a disease stemming from birth.  Autosomal recessive metabolic disorder, or commonly referred to as Pompe’s Disease is something I’m sure isn’t on one’s lips to ask a doctor about prior to having kids. While we’ve grown accustomed to seeing rare diseases being handled on TV every week with such shows as House or Private Practice, don’t let the melodrama fool you. Extraordinary Measures might be  fairly average, but it’s not without some merits.

What a weird world we live in where true stories are easily shrugged off, as most did with this film when it was released. If anything, it is predictable, but only because we know the story telling routines all too well. The determined parent, the eccentric doctor, the melodramatic notes from the dialogue and music cues, yes, be there, done that. Isn’t all we really want sometimes is a feel-good story? That’s Extraordinary Measures. Possibly average, maybe even cliched, but a tearjerker (albeit at times a forced one) nonetheless.  While the set up and delivery is quite rudimentary, some of what the film explores isn’t.

I feel for these parents and the kids, I do, but it enrages me at the same time. Every stand-up comedian has a bit or two about how we won’t find cures for diseases, like famously in Dennis Leary’s No Cure for Cancer and Chris Rock’s Bigger and Blacker. Sad, but true. The money isn’t in the cure. Extraordinary Measures focuses on some subtle (like how University of Nebraska pays the Husker’s coach more than their medical research, the second most notable thing about the school, outside of football) and not so subtle issues involving the reality of the money issue when it comes to finding a cure (the acceptable lives lost). A shame; while the film ends happily, obviously, there are a slew of diseases that the government and charities dump money into, that never sees an answer.

While this doesn’t ascend Extraordinary Measures above what it is-an average tearjerker-it makes for a decent 100 minutes unwasted. It could even possibly feature one of the better performances from Harrison Ford that we’ve seen in a long time.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Sony delivers another nice HD presentation. While a few scenes look over-saturated in whiteness and a few look soft, it’s still a great HD transfer with fine level of details and color. The DTS track is appropriately reserved for a film like this. Dialogue seemed a light soft, but was still clear. Music was comforting and was some surround atmospherics.

The Power to Overcome: In HD, this 10 minute little featurette might be a little like an EPK, but hearing about the real-life story from the cast and crew is a nice piece. Sure, it could be more effective, but it’s light and sweet, and doesn’t bore.

Meet John Crowley: In HD, here’s a shorter look at the Pompe Disease and the rel life dad, who is played by Brendan Fraser in the film. Again, yes, it could have been longer and more informative, but it’s a nice primer piece to get to know the real story.

Deleted Scenes, MovieIQ functionality, BD-Live, and other HD Trailers round out the extras.

Conclusion: Nothing pivotal or great, but a nice rental.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating: