The Many Saints of Newark (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner
Release Date: December 21, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 3.5/5
 
Plot
Young Anthony Soprano (Michael Gandolfini) is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city. Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola), who struggles to manage both his professional and personal responsibilities—and whose influence over his nephew will help make the impressionable teenager into the all-powerful mob boss we’ll later come to know: Tony Soprano.
 
My Thoughts
I watched The Sopranos during its run on HBO, but has been almost 15 years since I’ve watched it, so I went into this prequel expecting great things. AS a movie, it’s a decent endeavor and you don’t have to have seen the original series to enjoy it. My son and future son-in-law watched with me and neither have seen the TV show (yet), but generally like mob movies.
 
Our biggest collective gripe with the film is that there’s just too much going on as they throw a plethora of characters at you and the story doesn’t really get a chance to develop as one would expect. This would have been a great vehicle for a limited run series of possibly six or eight episodes to really dig into the characters and dive deep into Dickie’s influence on a young Tony. On the surface, it’s entertaining in its own way, but its somewhat shallow in its execution.
 
The film was finished with a 4K DI and I was disappointed that 4K copies weren’t available for review, but supply chain problems are impacting the studios as well. While the film was shot digitally, it was given a late 60s / early 70s look in post and the results are magnificent. Not to be outshined is the excellent Atmos track which provides clear and concise dialog, ample LFE (when needed), and great use of the rear and overhead soundstage.
      
Video 5/5 (AVC)
 
 Audio 5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Deleted Scenes
• The Making of Newark
• Sopranos Family Honor
• Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 

 
 
Conclusion
I somewhat expected to be disappointed with this because the show its based on left some massive shoes to fill. While it doesn’t reach the level of the TV show, it has the ability to stand on its own as a decent mob film. For Christmas I asked for The Sopranos box set and plan to revisit the show in 2022 and I’ll be sure to go back and watch this film when I get through the classic show on Blu-ray. If you’re a longtime fan, then you’ll want to check this out, but go in with the right expectations and you’ll be entertained.
 
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

[Barry]

I reviewed it for us too
https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=3053.msg21699#msg21699

[bmoney]

Wow I def wouldn’t have been so generous with a score on this one. I disliked it 

[David Vaughn]

Wow I def wouldn’t have been so generous with a score on this one. I disliked it

Maybe you were in a bad mood  Based off your thoughts I expected to not love it, but ended up enjoying myself.

[David Vaughn]

I reviewed it for us too
https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=3053.msg21699#msg21699

Thanks Barry. I liked it a bit more than you did but agree with many of your thoughts. 

[bmoney]

I feel it was just another one of those oh yeah remember this? Or remember him? Type movies which have become way too common now. And that on it being a random BLM movie which made no sense tot the story 

Idk. I just feel like a lot of these movies are being written lazily 

[David Vaughn]

I feel it was just another one of those oh yeah remember this? Or remember him? Type movies which have become way too common now. And that on it being a random BLM movie which made no sense tot the story

Idk. I just feel like a lot of these movies are being written lazily

The race riots were a real thing in 1967 so I think the timing was used as a plot angle. Also, it provides a mystery to the ending (although we know the real story from The Sopranos). Again, not a great movie and a bit shallow, but it's watchable. 

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

We are in agreement on this one Dave. It needed more room to better flesh out its various narrative elements but, manages to make for a watchable drama. Nice review..!


Regards,

[David Vaughn]

Greetings,

We are in agreement on this one Dave. It needed more room to better flesh out its various narrative elements but, manages to make for a watchable drama. Nice review..!


Regards,

Thanks Ralph. Merry Christmas!