Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys (2002)

Starring: Kieran Culkin, Jena Malone, Jodie Foster
Director: Peter Care

Rating: R

Studio: Columbia

Review Posted: 2.12.03

Spoilers: None

By John Teves.

Originally appeared on DVDFreak.net

Tim (Kieran Culkin) and Francis (Emile Hirsch) are best friends, doing their best to cause trouble without getting caught. Under the watchful eye of Sister Assumpta (Jodie Foster), the boys plot to unleash the ultimate prank, involving a man-eating cougar, their school's statue and a lot of cough medicine. While the boys imagine their exploits in a comic book called The Atomic Trinity, Francis begins his growth to adulthood with Catholic schoolgirl Margie Flynn (Jena Malone).

DANGEROUS LIVES OF THE ALTAR BOYS appears in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 on this single-sided, double-layered DVD; the image has been enhanced for 16X9 televisions. Overall the film transfer offered a first-rate picture that showed very few concerns. Sharpness appeared solid. I saw no signs of softness or fuzziness. The movie remained crisp at all times. Jagged edges presented no issues, and I saw no signs of edge enhancement. There were a couple of examples of specks of grit, but otherwise the film remained clean.

DANGEROUS LIVES OF THE ALTAR BOYS offered a naturalistic color palette. The colors consistently looked accurate and vivid. The animated scenes were dazzling. Black levels were deep, while shadow detail was clear and dense. In general, the image remained accurate and fresh.

DANGEROUS LIVES OF THE ALTAR BOYS is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. Though not an active soundfield, it seemed natural. The track featured good ambience. The track also displayed some nice stereo presence from the front as well as support from the rear. Dialogue appeared natural; effects remained bright and energetic. Music score sounded dramatic and slick, as the music showed good dynamics and clearness. Bass response seemed deep at all times. Ultimately, the DD5.1 mix for DANGEROUS LIVES OF THE ALTAR BOYS provided a realistically solid auditory experience.

• Audio Commentary with Director Peter Care and Screenwriter Jeff Stockwell

• Audio Commentary of Animated Scenes with Animation Producer Todd McFarlane

• Anatomy of a Scene courtesy of The Sundance Channel

• Featurette

• Deleted Scenes

• Interviews with Cast and Filmmakers

• Theatrical Trailer

• TV Spots

• Animation Illustrations

• Animate Scenes Collection

• DVD-ROM Content

Overall, I felt the film failed. DANGEROUS LIVES OF THE ALTAR BOYS offered a predictable and lifeless affair that never locked my attention. While not a terrible film, it appeared unremittingly weak. The DVD featured very good picture and sound as well as a decent amount of extras. I am a great fan of McFarlane Comics, and it was refreshing to see some new character art, but regrettably DANGEROUS LIVES OF THE ALTAR BOYS is simply too dim and tiresome of a film for me to recommend it.

Film Rating: 2 out of 4

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