Patch Adams - Collector's Edition

Hunter "Patch" Adams (Robin Williams) has moved home 6 times in the past year, has had many jobs in that time, his father died when he was just 9 and his mother is on a smorgasboard of anti-depressant pills. What is a man to day that is almost suicidal? He admits himself to a mental institution. Here he meets a wide variety of characters, yet they all seem simplistically normal to him and when he finally helps his room-mate overcome his fear of squirrels, he soon realises his calling in life.

We join Patch 2 years later in his second year of medicine. He is bursting to meet with patients so that he can communicate with them on their level but the curriculum only allows interaction with patients in the 3rd year of studies so Patch takes it upon himself to administer his therapy. His friends initially frown upon his rebellion from the 'rules' set by the school but understand his intent and eventually join his efforts.

Patch is almost expelled from the course that he so desperately wants to complete but he finds it hard to conform to the norm when he feels he has a better method of treating humans as people rather than classing them by disease. The only way he can do so is to open up his own clinic where he has complete freedom. His little establishment lands him in front of the school committee where he has to explain his actions and try to convince the board that what he has done is for the benefit of both the patients and the medical profession as a whole.

Another great transfer for a Universal title. This could almost be an excellent transfer but for a few blemishes that I'll explain later. Color rendition in the image was good. The greens and blues were all exceptional yet I felt the reds lacked that little oomph that I am normally accustomed to for a dvd transfer. I put this down to the source myself so it can be forgiven yet for a recent movie I expected a little more.

Black levels were consistent throughout, although not as deep a black as could be. I may be getting a little picky of my black levels of late but with dvd, the dynamic range in video quality allows the image to be as black as can be or as bright as can be and still retain incredible detail which this disc does exhibit.

There was one siginificant scene whereby the image seemed to strobe in a way. When Patch is brainstorming about his proposal for his 'fun' hospital, sitting out on a park bench under a street light, you see the image go from normal to a little brighter to normal to a little brighter. It's not very dramatic but it is definetly noticable. Given that it only appears for about 4-5 seconds and disappears on the next cut, I'd say it's a source issue of some sort.

A 5.0 soundtrack you ask? Well, kinda interesting since there is a 5.1 dts version in the states. Anyway, the audio on this disc suits the film perfectly. All you need to hear is the dialogue and any sounds that come out of Robin Williams' antics.

Surrounds wise, don't expect to quench your thirst but you will get a small thrill when some titles off the soundtrack kick in toward the end of the movie.

The overall soundtrack is adequate enough and I really didn't pay that much attention to what the audio was doing aurally for me. Finally, there are no audio synch issues on this disc at all.

Here we go:

• Making of Documentary - The Medicinal Value of Laughter
  An 18 minute look at the conception of the film. We also get to meet the real Patch Adams himself and to this very day he is as vibrant as he is portrayed in the movie with the loud shirt and fork ear-ring. Director Tom Shadyac and Producer Mike Farrell (of MASH fame) give us an insight into the beginnings of the film and how Patch was to be portrayed. A great accessory to watch after youve enjoyed the movie.
• Audio Commentary with Director Tom Shadyac
  Tom Shadyac gives an insightful view of the film right from the get go. Although a little too over explanatory at times, he still provides one of the better commentary tracks and his youth gives the 110 minute commentary an air of sustained interest throughout.
• Outtakes - 3 scenes
  Classic stuff here from Robin WIlliams. I gotta say, my wife and I laughed hysterically a the conclusion of the final scene.
• Production Notes
  Standard
• Cast & Crew Filmographies
  Standard
• Theatrical Trailer
  Standard

I never saw this at the cinemas. I now wish I had. Robin Williams is simply brilliant and brings so much life to Patch. He brings such emotion to this character right from the outset. I just can't find the words to describe what I want to say. It's a humorous tale with some very emotional tugs that will bring tears of both joy and sadness to your eyes.

I HIGHLY recommend this film to any fan of Robin Williams and to anyone who enjoys what the human spirit can really do in this world. The good selection of extras is also good value.