(Kevin Lima, 2007)
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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
H D - S E N S E IA view on Hi-def DVDs by Gary W. Tooze |
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Production: Walt Disney Video Disc: Region: 'A'-locked (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player) Runtime: 1:47:13.593 Disc Size: 45,592,624,393 bytes Feature Size: 24,949,125,120 bytes Video Bitrate: 30.87 Mbps Chapters: 18 Case: Standard Blu-ray case Release date: March 18th, 2008 / February 8th, 2011
Video: Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Bitrate:
Audio: Dolby TrueHD Audio English 3387 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3387 kbps / 24-bit (AC3 Embedded: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps) * Dolby Digital Audio English 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps Dolby Digital Audio English 448 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 448 kbps * Dolby Digital Audio French 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps * Dolby Digital Audio Spanish 640 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 640 kbps
Subtitles: English (SDH), English, French, Spanish, none
Extras: • Hi-def trailers for BRD's of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a Blu-ray Disc promo; Sleeping Beauty and others. • D-Files • Deleted Scenes • Bloopers • Behind the Scenes Featurette: Fantasy Comes to Life • Pip's Predicament: A Pop-Up Adventure
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Music Video :'Ever Ever After"
The Film: Life is idyllic in the fairytale world where conflict is minimal and breaking into song solves every problem, but what happens when a princess from the fairy world gets magically transported into the real world? Enchanted begins in the animated fairytale world of Andalasia where Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) is destined to marry Prince Edward (James Marsden) and live happily ever after. Problem is, Edward's step-mother Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon) doesn't want to give up the throne and will do anything to get Giselle out of Edward's life. Queen Narissa's solution is to push Giselle into a well that magically lands Giselle smack in the middle of the real world--the center of Time Square in New York City, to be exact. This launches the live-action portion of the film where Giselle immediately realizes that things are frighteningly different in this new world and that she is ill-prepared for the callous ways of the people who inhabit it. Giselle finds herself alone on a stormy night in the wrong end of town, but a chance encounter with Robert (Patrick Dempsey) and his princess-loving daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey) leads to a warm, safe place to spend the night and the beginnings of a complicated, yet compelling relationship. As Giselle begins to question the fairy-tale truths she's always inherently believed, Robert's outlook on life and love also begins to change significantly. Parallels to the classic Disney fairytales, Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty abound in the form of a King's and Queen's ball, small animals and rodents who clean house when called, the threat of poisoned apples, characters impulsively breaking into song, and the power of the kiss of true love and the absurd juxtaposition of fairytale idealism and stark reality is hilariously funny. Features music by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz of Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame fame, Wicked's Broadway Elpheba Idina Menzel as Nancy, and even a brief appearance by former Princess voice talent Judy Kuhn (Pocahontas). Enchanted is one of the best, most entertaining Disney films of the year. (Ages 6 and older with parental guidance due to some scary images and mild innuendo).
The Video: NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. I am revisiting this Blu-ray transfer after a couple of years with newer equipment. The image quality doesn't seem to compare well with more modern discs. Colors are a shade duller and there is no strong depth to speak of. Contrast is not prominent - although the bitrate is very high. Even the animated sequences are flatter than one might expect. The CGI (fairly seamless) is infused into the live action exceptionally well as is a factor of technology. I don't think this particular film has many jaw-dropping visual instances that produce the much desired 'high-definition' experience many crave but perhaps the re-issue in February 2011 will produce a different, more dynamic, HD presentation. We will keep you posted.
CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
NOTE: the opening 10 minute animated sequence is 1.85 matted onto a 2.35 scope with black bars on both edges.
Audio: This Blu-ray offers a English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track, which I tested, or a English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (plus 2 DUBs: French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1). I wouldn't say the film exports a substantial amount of separation (some closer to the conclusion scene) but it seems to hold its own when called upon. Music/dance sequences shine the most. I noted nothing overly dynamic but that would probably be more a function of the original track which I expect is very faithfully represented by the HD 5.1. Optional Subtitles are available in English SDH, French, or Spanish in a smallish yellow font (see sample above).
Extras: Menus
BOTTOM LINE: I can't see too many people not getting some enjoyment out of this very cute film (it's 7.5/10 score on IMDb is testament to that). My big pet peeve with this disc are the 11 minutes or trailers that precede the feature (although they are in high definition). I lacked patience chaptering past them and found it better to scan. It makes me respect my early Warner Blu-rays - you stick them in and the film starts. Enchanted fuses old fairy tales with the modern world - especially in the vein of romance. I love Amy Adams as the angelic innocent and Susan Sarandon as an evil queen - sexy, or what? This was very enjoyable and I'm glad I revisited it. We, very much, recommend the film! Gary Tooze
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