CINDERELLA – The Blu Review

“I can’t drive, I’m a goose.”

Sir Kenneth Branagh’s live action adaptation of CINDERELLA for Disney Studios may not add anything new to the beloved tale, but with an excellent cast and an elegant sense of style, it made for a magical and quite charming version of the story that all ages could enjoy.

When Melissa Howland reviewed CINDERELLA here at We Are Movie Geeks, she wrote: “Stunning costumes, sets, and CGI make for an enchanting journey onscreen. Every character had a specific set of colors that they were identified with that allowed them to stand out in their own right. Rather than going with the traditional castle, they built an entire kingdom, which was a bold but rewarding choice”  Read all of Melissa’s review HERE

Now CINDERELLA has been released on Blu-ray from Disney and We Are Movie Geeks has had a peek.

CINDERELLA’s 1080p/AVC-encoded Blu-ray image is across-the-board stunning. The image is very nearly noiseless, even the darkest scenes. What grabs you immediately, though, is just how sharp the picture is, from start to finish. The finest details of the actors’ faces and clothing are visible in every frame—the slight wrinkles around Cate Blanchett’s mouth, Lily James’ bushy eyebrows, the threading and texture of Sandy Powell’s magnificent costume work. Clarity- wise, this is one of the best Blu-ray images I’ve seen so far this year.

Nearly as impressive is the film’s lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track, which features excellent clarity and almost non-stop immersion. The rear channels are busy with effects and ambience—water lapping and bells tolling, creatures slinking through the forest and behind our heads, and horse-drawn carriages bolting across the soundstage. Throughout it all, dialogue is clean, balanced, and easily understood.

The extras are typically Disney-generous:

• A Fairy Tale Comes to Life: Filmmakers and cast reflect on Cinderella‘s enduring power, along with the many joys and challenges of bringing this iconic tale to life.
• Costume Test Fun: See the work of Academy Award-winning® Costume Designer Sandy Powell (The Aviator, 2004) and share some lighthearted moments with the cast.
• Staging The Ball: You’re invited behind the scenes for the making of the Palace Ball sequence, including its spectacular set, stunning costumes and more. It’s a lavish and massive undertaking…and a magical day on set.
• Ella’s Furry Friends: Discover how the movie’s animal stars honed their memorable performances.
• Alternate Opening, Ella’s Childhood: View moments from Ella’s idyllic childhood that do not appear in the movie. Introduction by Branagh.
• Frozen Fever: It’s Anna’s birthday, and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever – but when Elsa catches a cold, her powers may put more than just the party at risk.