Sony

Disc Size: 38,539,376,433 bytes

Feature: 29,157,212,160 bytes

Video Bitrate: 27.95 Mbps

Blu-ray

Chapters 28

Chapters 28

Edition Details:

• Commentary with Brian Froud

• Storyboard track picture-in-picture
• The World of Dark Crystal Doc. 57:22 min.

• Skektek's Crystal Challenge Gelfling Trivia Game

• Original Sketek Language Test Scenes
• Deleted Funeral Scene 3:48 min.
• Reflections of the Dark Crystal
• Character Drawings & Profiles
• 4 Trailers (3 Dark Crystal, Labyrinth)
• Storyboards 11 slides

Blu-ray Release Date: September 29th, 2009
Standard Blu-ray case

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were ripped directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Colors move to a more earthy tone in the new Sony 1080P Blu-ray. The vibrancy of the DVDs now looks false and boosted but never having seen the film theatrically - this is only my guess. There is some movement in the frame and we occasionally lose, or gain, some information on the left and top edges but it is negligible. Anyway, the heavy browns seem more correct giving the pastels a warmer and less unrealistic look but being a fantasy this is more a subjective viewpoint I suppose. I expect the accuracy off the higher resolution make this closer to filmmaker intent. It's dual-layered with a strong bitrate and I don't see evidence of digital manipulation.

The lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track at English 3112 Kbps is pretty strong and it seems to pick up pace as the film runs along. The effect noises are not particularity aggressive but fill The Dark Crystal with subtleties that help transport, elevating the aura. It's, obviously, no demo track - but for the film - I can't see it being much more dynamic and buoyant. There are some foreign language DUBs and the available commentary is in 2.0 channel. There are optional subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Extras appear to include most of the 2007 25th Anniversary DVD Edition package supplements with the Brian Froud commentary and the, almost hour-long, World of Dark Crystal documentary. The Storyboard Track is a Picture-in-Picture dealie that runs with the film. We get the Original Sketek Language Test Scenes, 4-minutesd of the deleted funeral scene and the Reflections of the Dark Crystal featurette. What's new is the Skektek's Crystal Challenge Gelfling Trivia Game that I had trouble exiting once I enabled it - and finally the disc is BD-LIVE functional (once it officially comes out).

****


 

"The same 28 chapter stops occur at the same times in all versions. The chapter view images are the same for all versions and the images for the original and Collector's Edition menus are the same. Bit rate graph looks the same for the original & collector's edition. The bit rate may be higher for the SB only because of the DTS track? Many DVD reviews feel that the DTS track on the SuberBit is not vastly superior to the DD track. Captures look the same for all edition. Bottom line, keep the original or if you are looking to buy, consider the music only track & extra trailer on the orignal DVD vs. artwork menu screens, paper goods inside a large box for a LOT more $. (The SuperBit DTS track is NOT worth the loss of the extras this time)". 

 Gary Tooze