Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Steelbook Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: November 23, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 4.5/5

Plot
Steve Martin and John Candy star in Jon Hughes' classic tale of holiday travel gone awry. Neal Page (Martin) is an uptight advertising executive trying to get home to Chicago for Thanksgiving. When his flight is rerouted to Wichita, he reluctantly partners with Del Griffith (candy), an obnoxious yet loveable salesman. Together, they embark on a cross-country adventure that includes various modes of transportation, hilarious mishaps, and unforgettable rental car shenanigans.

My Thoughts
Unlike most of today's comedies, Planes, Trains and Automobiles is funny without being overtly crude and contains some of the most hilarious scenes you'll ever see in a movie. Take Page's interaction with the rental car clerk, or the two men waking up with one of their hands between the pillows—those aren't pillows!—or better yet, the abuse the rental car receives on their trip home. The chemistry between Marin and Candy is outstanding and John Hughes proved he could make more than just teenage comedies with this classic hit.

If you're into perfectly scrubbed video, then you'll love the look of this title. Unfortunately, it doesn't look much like film since it's been DNR'd to death with virtually no facial textures or fine detail. If your display is less than 50 inches then you probably won't notice these things, but on a front projection system they jump right out at you. On the plus side, the colors are very vibrant but this is the same transfer we’ve seen on previous Blu-ray releases. Hopefully this is released in the Paramount Presents line and gets a new 4K scan befitting the classic comedy.

For a 1980s comedy, the audio track sounds quite good with consistent dialog, decent ambience, and an engaging score. It's no demo showpiece for sure, but it isn't meant to be.
     
Video 3/5 (AVC)
 
 Audio 4/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)

Special Features:

• Getting There is Half the Fun: The Story of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
• John Hughes: Life Moves Pretty Fast
• John Hughes for Adults
• A Tribute to John Candy
• Deleted Scenes
• Steelbook Packaging
• Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy

Conclusion
There aren't many films that I can watch over and over again and still enjoy each time. Thankfully this is one of them and holds a permanent space in my collection and I can finally donate my old Blu-ray to my local library and replace it with this spiffy Steelbook. Highly recommended for fans of the movie despite the flaws in the video presentation. 


Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD  controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

“You know what I could really use right now?”
“An extra set of balls and a couple extra fingers?”

Lmao so many outstanding lines in this movie 

[David Vaughn]

“You know what I could really use right now?”
“An extra set of balls and a couple extra fingers?”

Lmao so many outstanding lines in this movie

That movie never gets old to me. 

[bmoney]

Agreed. Absolutely outstanding 

[Paul Heroy]

A classic that I haven't seen in a long time. Need to put it on my list for when the wife & I are looking for something funny and not too over the top crude.

[bmoney]

I treat it as a holiday movie. Watch it at least once a year during this time 

[AVSCraig]

I treat it as a holiday movie. Watch it at least once a year during this time

I'm screening it for a bunch of friends this Wed. night in fact - seeing as it's about traveling for Thanksgiving!