Plot: What’s it about?
Dennis Doyle (Simon Pegg) was on the brink of marriage, with a beautiful bride-to-be and a child on the way. As much as he loved his woman and looked forward to his new life, his nerves were overwhelming. When he was supposed to walk down the aisle, he instead had a panic attack and ran for his life. Now five years later, he is haunted by his decision on a daily basis, as he knows how much he missed out on. His ex Libby (Thandie Newton) has even met a new man (Hank Azaria), a man who is all the things Dennis isn’t. But Dennis is driven to prove he has changed, to win back his love and his son. He decides to enter a grueling marathon to prove himself, but no one believes he will ever finish. As Libby prepares to marry her new man and there is talk of a long distance move, can Dennis somehow turn his life around in time?
I wanted to love this movie. As a fan of Simon Pegg’s previous work, I hoped Run Fatboy Run would be another hilarious jaunt with memorable moments. As it turns out, the movie does have some memorable moments, but not the kind I had hoped. Instead of quotable dialogue and great character interaction, Run Fatboy Run has a giant blister that erupts pus and so much naked male ass that even Van Damme would blush. The story is brisk and fun, but not well executed. Dennis never comes off as likeable or sweet, he seems apologetic, but expects way too much from those around him. Pegg’s performance is fine, but the writing isn’t strong, so he isn’t given much to shine with. The rest of the cast is rather bland, as Newton and Azaria are never handed much, which is a shame, since Azaria is usually solid. Run Fatboy Run isn’t a terrible movie. But it is mediocre and with so many better options available, I can’t recommend this as more than a rental.
Video: How does it look?
Run Fatboy Run is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a great looking transfer, one that more than renders the DVD obsolete. The image has some scenes of stunning depth, such as the race sequences, while most scenes look good, but lack that eye popping detail we’ve come to know and love. The visuals also benefit from a boost in colors, which come across in much richer form here, while contrast is stark and accurate. So not an elite level visual treatment, but a great looking one that will please fans, no doubt.
Audio: How does it sound?
This release boasts a Dolby Digital 7.1 option, but it doesn’t sound as impressive as you might expect. This movie simply isn’t that driven by powerful audio, so while the potential is there, the material doesn’t take advantage. A few scenes do benefit somewhat, such as the race scenes and a select couple of others, as well as the music, but by and large, this is a reserved soundtrack. I found dialogue to be clear and crisp though, so this track delivers where it matters most. This release also includes subtitles in English and Spanish.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Director David Schwimmer and stars Simon Pegg and Thandie Newton provide audio comments in a solid, but not as good as I expected track. Pegg seems reeled in a little, compared to his other commentary sessions, but still lively. The trio give us a decent look behind the scenes, but nothing landmark. This release also includes some deleted scenes, Thandie Newton’s goof, a reel of outtakes, and the film’s theatrical trailer.
