Plot: What’s it about?
Finn (Matthew McConaughey) is a dim, but good natured fellow who loves the beach, but dreams of a sunken treasure, that of the Queens Dowry. The ship was lost at sea in 1715, with cargo that included forty chests loaded down with treasures of all kinds, a fortune no doubt. Finn has invested all he has into his search for the treasure and not just his savings, as his dedication cost him his marriage to Tess (Kate Hudson). Tess couldn’t take Finn’s obsession and has started a new life, one that has structure and seems to have a point. When Finn discovers a vital clue to the treasure’s location, he implores Tess’ boss to join his quest, mainly to make use of his massive yacht. Now that Tess is forced to be in close quarters with Finn once again, can she handle it and will Finn finally find the treasure he seeks?
You know you hear about how bad some movie is, but then you think it can’t possibly be that bad? Fool’s Gold isn’t just as bad as everyone says, it is worse. I have to assume someone saw National Treasure, then decided treasure hunting for historical loot would be a perfect romantic comedy. Sadly, as unrealistic as National Treasure was, Fool’s Gold is so dumb, you’ll have to do Sudoku as you watch to prevent mass brain cell loss. This is the kind of movie the CIA projects onto the exterior of terrorist compounds as mental and emotional torture. I gave up on Matthew McConaughey a long while back, but he seems less interested than ever and sleepwalks through this one like never before. I really tried to find some positives here, but aside from some decent tropical scenery, Fool’s Gold is a total waste and should be avoided like the plague.
Video: How does it look?
Fool’s Gold is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The source print is pristine and shows no grain, which means the visuals come across in sharp and ever impressive form. The colors stream across the screen in vivid hues and no signs of flaws, while flesh tones seem natural and consistent also. No issues in terms of contrast either, as black levels are razor sharp and no visible detail loss is evident. This movie needed the excellence in visuals too, given the complex, big budget set pieces involved.
Audio: How does it sound?
This Dolby Digital 5.1 option is quite good, with more kick than you’ll find in most romantic comedies. Then again, most films in this genre don’t have explosions and such, so it makes sense. The surrounds come to life often when the action heats up, but then fade out once quieter scenes take over. This works well enough, even if some of the dialogue driven scenes could have used a boost here and there. I found dialogue to be flawless, with no volume issues at all, while the musical score also comes across well, so no real complaints. This disc also includes Spanish and French language tracks, as well as subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes a promotional featurette, as well as a gag reel.
