‘Dream Team’ (2024) Blu-Ray Review – Bizarre Lo-Fi Mystery Is A Cinematic Altered State

In this absurdist homage to 90’s basic cable TV thrillers, two hot INTERPOL agents uncover an international, interspecies mystery. A post-modern, soft-core fever dream.

For in-depth thoughts on Dream Team, please see my colleague Will Bjarnar’s review from its original theatrical release here. 

Video Quality

Dream Team makes its Blu-Ray debut with a great 1080p video presentation that represents the 16mm source accurately. The image has an appropriately grainy, textured quality to it with a bold color palette saturating the screen. The film employs some deep colors in the world and clothing which delivers a very stunning image. The interior of the hotel and the tropical locales provide exquisite subtle details. The presentation shows off a significant amount of depth while exploring each location. Black levels reveal discrete signs of banding in some of the shadowy moments, but largely they maintain their depth. Skin tones are natural with a favorable amount of detail present in close-ups such as fine lines and makeup. This Blu-Ray is a winner on all fronts. 

Audio Quality

Yellow Veil Pictures gives this Blu-Ray a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that brings to life all of the sonic details admirably. One of our favorite aspects of this experience is the music that establishes the overall vibes of the pictures. Every piece is well-balanced while maintaining absolute fidelity. Dialogue comes through clearly without being overwhelmed by any competing sounds. The deft sound design makes the world feel alive. When the characters are put in different scenarios, numerous distinct ambient details flesh out the setting. There are no bombastic moments to engage the low end in a serious manner, but a few instances add texture to the proceedings. Environmental sounds engage the surround speakers in rewarding ways. The audio track brings this narrative to life exactly as intended. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. 

Special Features

• Theatrical Cut (1:32:17) & Theatrical Cut + Intros (1:37:34): The disc gives you the option to watch the movie as released or with new introductions to each segment from Professor Dr. Sir Roger Peniris (John Fell Ryan). 

• Audio Commentary: Filmmakers Whitney Horn and Lev Kalman, and Minh T Mia (Dr. Veronica Beef), Fariha Róisín (K) and Isabelle Barbier (Venice) provide a commentary track in which they discuss the movie and production in depth including the motivation behind various creative decisions. 

• Interview with VFX Artist Sam Wohl: A new eight-minute interview with the practical effects artist in which he discusses his relationship with the filmmakers, how they created certain effects, and more. 

• Interview with Composers John Atkinson, and John Fell Ryan and Lala Ryan: A new 18-minute interview with the composers in which they discuss getting involved with the project, the inspiration behind various pieces, and more. 

• Interview with Executive Producer Jane Schoenbrun: A new six-minute interview with the producer in which they discuss first experiencing the filmmakers, why they are drawn to their creative sensibility, what they love about the film, why this is true independent cinema, and more. 

• Theatrical Trailer (1:18)

• Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring the essay “Dreamlife of Agents: Dream Team and the Films of Lev Kalman and Whitney Horn” from writer Mark Asch is provided here. This piece gives a well-rounded analysis of the creative figures. 

Final Thoughts

Dream Team is an idiosyncratic lo-fi effort from Whitney Horn and Lev Kalman that feels somewhat like you fell asleep in front of your TV in the ‘90s and woke up at 3am to a world that makes you question how awake you really are. The humor is not for everyone, but if you can get on the film’s wavelength, this could be a go-to cult favorite for your friend group. Yellow Veil Pictures has released a Blu-Ray featuring a stellar A/V presentation and a cool assortment of special features. Recommended 

Dream Team is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Yellow Veil Pictures and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.