Courtesy: MLB Productions/Lionsgate
The countdown is on. Spring training is winding down and opening day is now only days away. In anticipation of Major League Baseball’s 2015 season, MLB Productions has just the thing to get fans–San Francisco Giants at least–into the mood for the upcoming season. While it was released late last year, MLB Productions’ San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film is just the thing to get at least Giants fans excited for the 2015 season. The main reason that it will get fans excited is the story presented across the film’s near ninety-minute run time. The story follows the Giants from the ups and downs of the team’s 2014 regular season ride to its incredible seven-game series against the underdog Kansas City Royals. It spends most of its time focusing on the Giants’ 2014 World Series. Though there is just enough focus on the regular season to enhance the importance of the team’s World Series appearance this year. The editing that went into the film should also be noted in terms of what makes it so enjoyable for fans. The editing includes the mix of the interviews and game footage throughout the film. The work of the film’s editors helps keep the film’s pacing solid and in turn keeps audiences engaged from start to finish. This is especially the case when taking into account actor Colin Hanks’ (King Kong, Dexter, Orange County) narration of the film. Hanks’ almost deadpan deliery somehow makes the on-field action all the more gripping. Perhaps it is because despite being a Giants’ loyalist, no favoritism is displayed in his delivery. That coupled with the work of the film’s editors shows why the editing should be noted in its success just as much as the story itself. Last but not least of all to note in examining what makes this film so enjoyable at least for Giants fans is the inclusion of the film’s bonus material. The bonus features include the Giants’ full victory parade after the team’s surprising World Series win, a short feature on Giants star Michael Morse, and some of the most important moments of the 2014 World Series among a handful of others. Whether for the noted bonus features or those not noted, the bonus material in full proves to be yet another reason that fans both of the Giants and baseball fans in general will enjoy this film. All three elements together prove San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film to be yet another win for MLB Productions and a must have for any Giants fans as the days count down to the 2015 season’s opening day.
The story that was the Giants’ 2014 season is one of the league’s more interesting stories, even coming into the 2015 season. As audiences will see in San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film, the Giant’s road to the World Series was anything but perfect. The same can be said of the team’s seven-game series against the upstart Royals. That story of the team’s up and down season and post-season is the central reason for the enjoyment of this recently released Blu-ray. While it does highlight the ups and downs of the team’s regular season run, most of the story’s time is spent on the Giants’ post-season efforts. Audiences will appreciate the efforts of those responsible for bringing the story to life as said individuals didn’t just sweep over the team’s regular season highlights or even focus too much on them. The same can be said of the Giant’s post-season run up to the World Series, too. Everything is relatively well-balanced, heightening the emotional impact of the team’s wins and losses alike. The first-person commentary from the likes of Hunter Pence, Madison Bumgarner, Travis Ishikawa and others adds even more to that emotional depth. And anyone that is familiar with WWE superstar Daniel Bryan will enjoy the story of how his “Yes” gimmick became a season-long rallying cry for the Giants and their fans. These are just some examples of why the story behind San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film makes it a must have for at least any Giants fan and any baseball enthusiast in general. There is much more that could be noted here. But there is not enough space or time for that. Audiences will find plenty more of the film’s story to appreciate when they purchase this film for themselves. In the same vein, the film’s editing is just as important to its success. If not for the editing, the story presented on the disc might not have otherwise been worth the watch.
MLB Productions has maintained a high standard of storytelling and of editing in its presentations for years. From its “Essential Games” collections to its stand-alone presentations the stories presented by MLB Productions have been gripping and fully engaging. The story presented in San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film is no different. The same can be said of said films’ editing. The editing involved in this film is no exception to that rule, either. Between the game footage, the sound bites from the Giants players and staff, and their personal insights each element compliments the other from beginning to end. Just as with the story telling itself, the editing that works with the storytelling plays its own part in keeping audiences entertained and engaged. From the natbursts of the team chanting “yes” along with its fans at AT&T Park to the slow motion shots of Bumgarner throwing his pitches to the scene transitions and more, the editing throughout the film will leave audiences in awe. It is one more standard that has for years kept MLB Productions’ presentations among the best in sports films. Together with that aforementioned solid storytelling, it shows even more clearly why San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film is a welcome addition to any Giants’ fan’s home library.
The editing and storytelling that went into San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film collectively show plenty of reason for baseball fans (and especially Giants fans) to add this film to their home libraries. While both elements show plenty of reason for fans to purchase this film, there is still one more element included in its presentation that pushes it over the top. That final element is the film’s collective bonus material. Included with the film as bonus material is the Giants’ full victory parade, specific highlights from the team’s season and post season, and even a fun little look into one of the team’s long-running traditions to “welcome” new pitchers to the team among plenty of other extras. The tradition in question will have audiences laughing, especially when manager Bruce Bochy’s son opens his lunchbox. Yes, the tradition in question involves lunch boxes. And it is absolutely hilarious. That much will be said and no more for the benefit of those that have yet to see this tradition for themselves. It is original, needless to say. The victory parade shows the pure joy of the players, having overcome so much adversity including injuries that hurt the team’s post-season chances, low expectations early on in the season by the talking heads, and more. It is a truly powerful and moving moment even for those that might not be Giants loyalists. It’s just one of so many great moments that will leave viewers agreeing that the bonus material included with this disc is indeed deserving of the title “Bonus.” It is one more moment that shows why the presentation’s bonus material is just as important to the film as the editing or even the storytelling. And in seeing this, audiences will agree why together with the film’s editing and storytelling, all three elements make San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film a welcome addition to the home library of any Giants fan and any baseball enthusiast in general.
There is a lot to say to the positive in regards to San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film. The story presented within the film will keep viewers engaged from start to finish. The film’s equally impressive editing plays its own part in making the story so enthralling, too. The bonus features included with the film add even more depth and enjoyment to the story of the team’s 2014 season. Whether for the in-depth look at the team’s season, the more lighthearted moments or the more emotional moments, the bonus features live up to their title. And together with the story itself and the film’s editing, the presentation in whole again proves itself well worth the watch by any Giants fan and baseball fan in general. And it is just as worth the addition to any fan’s home library. San Francisco Giants: World Series Champions 2014–Official 2014 World Series Film is available online now and can be ordered direct via MLB Productions’ online store at http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.jsp?productId=51967716&cp=1452365.2184768. More information on this and other titles from MLB Productions is available online at:
Website: http://mlbproductions.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mlbprod
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