Blu-ray Review: 2016 World Series Champions Chicago Cubs

Blu-ray Reviews, Reviews, Top Story

There are things that I figured would never see in my lifetime: Jerry Lewis’ The Day the Clown Cried, the pie fight scene from Dr. Strangelove and color footage of the Chicago Cubs winning a World Series. The Cubs for the most part weren’t even close to the heartbreak of the Boston Redsox. The Sox for 86 years looked like they were on the verge of winning a World Series only to have a haunting moment wreck it all. The Cubs were a franchise that found ways to eliminate themselves from contention in August. Their fans didn’t care as long as they could drink Old Style beers in the ivy covered bleachers. The only other team that felt doomed to never win were the Cleveland Indians that had to use clips from Major League to bolster up their highlight reel. After the Redsox won their title and two more, there was a strange feeling of why can’t the Cubs or the Indians win it all? And for once, one of them would have that season and the other another chapter of heartbreak. 2016 World Series Champions Chicago Cubs is a tale of two cities looking to lift a curse. But only one can succeed.

Oddly enough both teams dipped into the magic that brought the Redsox a title in 2004 and their other two 21st Century championships. Cubs landed General manager Theo Epstein who made the crucial player moves that brought the right pieces into Fenway Park. The Indians were managed by Terry Francona who had won the first two titles in Beantown. Now these allies were looking to bust a bad luck streak for two other cities. The one thing you could bet on was that both of these guys knew that no lead was safe and you’re never out of a series until the final out. Both teams had plenty of familiar names from the Redsox recent title championships including Jon Lester for the Cubs and Andrew Miller in the Indians bullpen. The series was amazing as it first looked like the Indians were unstoppable, but somehow the Cubs hung in to play one of the greatest game sevens. There would be heartbreak for the Indians.

Vince Vaughn (Swingers) does the narration which is fine. He’s a Chicago guy so his voice is right. Although during the series the two big super fans in the stands were Bill Murray and John Cusack. The end of the film has Bill Murray and Theo Epstein knocking back champagne bottles in the locker room. This is a great way to top off a win. I ended up rooting for the Cubs because I got hooked on seeing Bob Newhart posing with his “W” flag on Twitter when the Cubs won. Bob will be probably getting dozens of copies of this Blu-ray for Christmas. He’ll be thrilled unwrapping each one. 2016 World Series Champions Chicago Cubs is a movie that a Cubs fan will repeatedly watch to remind them that it wasn’t a dream found in an empty can of Old Style.

The video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The transfer is fine since the footage was shot HD at the game. The audio is DTS-HD MA 5.1. The mix gives the roar of the crowd and the partying of Bill Murray. The movie is subtitled.

DVD has all features as the Blu-ray.

Regular Season Highlights (5:25) are major moments as the team picked up speed heading to October.

Clinching Moments (2:44) includes regular season, division and league championship ends.

World Series Highlights (9:01) is a shorter version of the big film with just the meaty moments.

World Series Parade (2:12) are clips of them loading up on the buses with the trophy.

Cubs on David Ross (1:35) has love for the retiring catcher. Ross was key in the Redsox winning in 2013 so he was a great key player.

Shout! Factory presents 2016 World Series Champions Chicago Cubs. Starring: Theo Epstein, Jon Lester, Daid Ross and Bill Murray. Running Time: 97 minutes. Rated: Unrated. Released: December 6, 2016.

Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.