Blu-ray Review: Daddy Day Camp

THE MOVIE: 2 1/2 stars out of 5

Daddy Day Camp is a follow-up to the successful and funny Daddy Day Care starring Eddie Murphy. However, Eddie Murphy chose not to participate in this sequel and is replaced by Cuba Gooding, Jr. The reason for this decision is fairly obvious after watching this film. Simply put, it isn’t very good. Basically, Daddy Day Camp is a rehash of Daddy Day Care. The film is full of the same jokes and sight gags that were featured in in prior film. The only difference is that the film is set in a summer camp and a run down one at that. The plot is nearly identical to the first film. In short, Charlie Hinton (Gooding, Jr.), decides to buy a summer camp from his childhood. His chief nemesis is a slick day camp down the hill from the one that he purchased which is owned by a snotty rich kid from his childhood. Charlie goes into hock running up bills to fix the camp and is about to loose his home as a result when his camp is challenged to an Olympiad by the other camp. Needless to say, all turns out well for Charlie and his camp. If you have kids under 8, they will probably enjoy this film. Otherwise, you may want to skip it. This is a rental only.

THE VIDEO: 4 5/8 stars out of 5

While the film isn’t very good, the video sure is. Encoded with AVC and presented in its original aspect ratio of 1:85:1, this is a fine looking transfer. The film boasts bright primary colors and excellent skin tones. Colors are rich and solid. Black level is deep as well. The film has a very nice three dimensional look with a nice sharp picture with very good detail. Skin and fabric textures is very good as is the shadow detail. While I can’t recommend the film, I can recommend the transfer, which is way better than you would have a right to expect.

THE AUDIO: 4 1/3 stars out of 5

The high rez audio track on this release is presented in Dolby True HD. On the plus side, this audio encode has a very nice smooth, rich and open sound with very good bass and very well presented dialogue track. On the down side, this is not a very immersive sounding film with most of the sound field emanating from the front three speakers only. There is little use made of the surround channels. The sound quality of the three front channels is very good. There is really nothing to complain about in regards to the sound quality of this release. Just don’t expect a very dynamic and immersive sound when you watch the film. If you don’t, you will be more than satisfied with the audio presentation on this disc.

IN CONCLUSION

Boasting very good video and more than acceptable audio, I can recommend this film only as a rental for families with very young children.

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