Plot: What’s it about?
August Rush (Freddie Highmore) was separated from his parents and now, he lives in an orphanage where is he pushed around and bullied. As bad as things can get there, he is able to find an escape through music, even if there is no traditional music to be heard. August can find music anywhere, from leaves rustling to the wind blowing, whatever happens around him, he is able to build music from the sounds. When he ventures into the city to take in all the natural music, what will become of him? Years earlier, a famous musician named Lyla (Keri Russell) has a whirlwind romance with songwriter Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), but he father forbids the union. But even when an accident puts Lyla into a coma, the bond between she and Louis grows, as she is pregnant with his child. As these two stories unfold, what will the world’s music hold in store for all involved?
I’ve seen a lot of cheap, melodramatic movies, but few have been as blatant and manipulative as August Rush. This movie pulls out every last cliche, yanks on every false heart string, and cuts each emotional corner, with no hesitation. All of this is done with a straight face, as if the filmmakers believed this was a moving, emotional experience. Instead, August Rush comes off as hollow and disingenuous, with about as much real emotion as a butcher block. When all else fails, the movie falls back on sappy music or the doe eyes of its child star, both of which fail to bail out this mess. Some of the performances are solid, but with such weak material behind them, nothing really clicks into place. I found August Rush to be a total disappointment, so unless you simply adore base melodrama, feel free to pass on this one.
Video: How does it look?
August Rush is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. This transfer might not bowl you over, but the movie looks good and this easily outshines the standard release. Some light grain is present, but the print looks excellent and it should, given how recent this film is. I found colors to be natural and bright, with no real concerns to mention, though contrast does waver slightly at times. Even so, black levels are tight and accurate, even when the overall contrast skews a touch. The detail level is strong, if not as crisp as the best high definition transfers, but depth is more than acceptable. So not one of the best I’ve seen, but this is a more than sufficient presentation.
Audio: How does it sound?
This Dolby TrueHD 5.1 option sounds terrific, as it should, since the movie is driven by musical elements. The mix doesn’t deliver in terms of power, but the subtle, creative surround use is tremendous. In other words, you might not even notice some of the more impressive moments, which is a testament to how natural this soundtrack is. Even the most minor atmospheric touches shine here, great work all around. No issues with dialogue either, so all the vocals come across loud and clear. This disc also includes French and Spanish language tracks, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes a selection of additional scenes.
