Planes, Trains and Automobiles (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: November 22, 2022
Rating: R
Film:  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.
 
Unfortunately, the 4K transfer looks like a rehash of the previously released Blu-ray, which I only rated 3/5 due to excessive DNR. Sadly, this only looks worse in 4K and highlights the travesty even further. While there is an uptick in some detail, it’s not a night-and-day difference due to the overprocessed image. Such a classic film deserves a newly minted 4K transfer without heavy-handed processing.
 
Video 6/10
 
Audio 8/10 (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
• 4k UHD + Digital Copy

 

 
Conclusion
This is my favorite John Hughes film and is arguably the best film he ever made. No matter how many times I’ve watched it, I still laugh and I’ll always own it, even if the video transfer is an embarrassment. If you already own the Blu-ray, you may want to wait for a sale or better yet, pray the studio goes back and mints a fresh 4K master.
 
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
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Dual JL Audio F-110 (stacked and treated as one sub)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[SRW1000]

Thanks for the review.  Love this movie, and you're right on target in respect to today's comedies and these older movies.

Sounds like there's no reason to upgrade to this version, though, so we'll just stick to watching the old Blu-ray.  Maybe someday they'll remaster it.

Scott

[Paul Heroy]

Watched this tonight with my wife, who hadn't seen it before. It'd been a long time since I saw it and had been meaning to queue it up the last couple of Thanksgivings but didn't get to it. Aside from a scene or two I'd forgotten most of the specifics. It doesn't reach up to 5/5 territory for me, maybe 3.5-4. There are some very funny scenes but some that are pretty muted, low key chuckles and some that are just a bit too predictable/stereotype driven. 

[David Vaughn]

Watched this tonight with my wife, who hadn't seen it before. It'd been a long time since I saw it and had been meaning to queue it up the last couple of Thanksgivings but didn't get to it. Aside from a scene or two I'd forgotten most of the specifics. It doesn't reach up to 5/5 territory for me, maybe 3.5-4. There are some very funny scenes but some that are pretty muted, low key chuckles and some that are just a bit too predictable/stereotype driven.

Comedies are that way and I don't begrudge you for your rating. As someone who flies enough to get Southwest A-List Companion every year, this movie hits all of the right buttons for someone who travels all the time on business. The rental car scene is too funny and makes me LOL every time I watch it. 

[bmoney]

One of the best comedies of all time imho. Touching story and hilarious

So many repeatable lines 

One of my favorites