FINDING DORY (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD)
Release Date: November 15, 2016
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Video: 1.85:1 1080p Widescreen
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, English DVS 2.0, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
THE RATINGS
The Movie Itself - ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2
Video Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Audio Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Special Features - ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰
Overall - ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2
_____________________________________________________________________________
THE FILM ITSELF Our Reviewer's Take
Swim your way to buy this phenomenal Blu-ray from Disney•Pixar.
Swim your way to buy this phenomenal Blu-ray from Disney•Pixar.
Reviewed by Gavin King
It's in the tradition of Pixar sequels like Toy Story 2 and 3 and Monsters University that Finding Dory soon came to be. The highly-anticipated follow-up, bringing back the original voices of Ellen DeGeneres and Albert Brooks and others, was hotly announced on Pixar's big upcoming films radar back a few years ago, and here we finally have it, returning old familiar faces like Dory, Marlin, Nemo, and Crush, and popping up some newcomers into the aquatic gang, such as the echolocation-savvy Bailey, the clumsy but charming Destiny, the rock-loving Gerald, and, most notably, the octopus - er, should I say, septopus - Hank. Now, when it comes to Pixar films, we've obviously set some pretty high standards when it comes to storytelling, character designing, and, probably most of all, the studio's ever-improving animation standards. Then, what's the verdict with their newest film, Finding Dory, you ask? It may not be the truly best film the terrific animation studio has churned out, but does that make it any less enjoyable? No! The new adventure, starring the forgetful Blue Tang fish Dory as the lead this time, boasts a fun-loving voice cast, funny moments, impressive character arcs, and arguably some of the best - if not, the absolute best - animation quality Pixar has ever delivered out of their colorfully-animated portfolio.
The lovable fish Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) is back, and so is her pesky short-term memory loss. But during a class trip with stingray teacher Mr. Ray (voiced by Bob Peterson) and his school of plucky fish, the Blue Tang fish suddenly starts remembering something hugely important: her family! Remembering details about her long-lost parents, Jenny (voiced by Diane Keaton) and Charlie (voiced by Eugene Levy), she persuades Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and his son Nemo (voiced by Hayden Rolence) to go with her to try and spot her mom and dad at the place she remembers her and her parents called home: The Jewel of Morro Bay, California. With the help of their good 'ol sea turtle pals, the trio of fish make it there, right in the heart of the Marine Life Institute aquarium. There, Dory meets the crabby but kindhearted septopus Hank (voiced by Ed O'Neil), her clumsy but quirky "pipe pal" Destiny (voiced by Kaitlin Olson), and the echolocation-savvy Bailey (voiced by Ty Burrell) - just a few of the many new friends the Blue Tang fish Dory will meet on this big, long, but most of all, unforgettable journey to get back to her parents and learn the true meaning of what it means to be in a family.
Finding Dory works because it's simple yet terrific family entertainment. This may not be the absolute high peak us Pixar lovers have come to expect from films such as Inside Out or Up, but that sure doesn't stop it from earning a medal as pure fun for the whole family. It's likely to impress all audiences of every age thanks to a voice cast - led by the plucky Ellen DeGeneres - that delivers in every regard. Believe it or not, this is actually not Albert Brooks's only animated film he's voiced this year; he did the honor of bringing life to the hawk Tiberius in The Secret Life of Pets - although he doesn't skimp out on playing the cautious yet caring Clownfish father, Marlin, here as well. Ty Burrell is especially remarkable as the gag-friendly Bailey. He delivers a hilarious likability to the character, and it's completely and wonderfully noticeable in his role.
The film's animation is tactile, immaculate, and practically faultless at this point. No real surprise as this is coming from the big name in animation in Hollywood today, but everything in the film visually just seems so colorful, organic, bold, and even almost photorealistic that it would be nearly an insult to say that it's just "typical of Pixar's greatness". I'll discuss more in the video evaluation section below, but just take a look at one of this review's screenshots and revel in all the visual magic yourself. You'll be hard pressed to find a fault. In addition to film's incredible animation, the character designs are equally fantastic. Each fish seems to spring to life beyond the frame itself, resulting in a design that's not only Pixar-esque and attractive but also completely innovative with its entire widescreen frame in every sense of the term. While Dory and her pals from the original movie from 2003 deliver an appreciable upgrade from its latter, there's no digitally-animated stone unturned when it comes to the film's newer additions, too. Destiny the whale shark showcases her so-called "near-sightedness" with a bubbly personality and look. Becky, a scruffy, red-eyed bird, is likewise accurately detailed and lovingly designed. And, of course, we can't forget Gerald, the poor sea lion that just can never seem to get a chance on the beloved rock, whose cross-eyed, well, eyes, and overall look make him a memorable and funny side character.
In the end, though, Finding Dory is mainly a film about finding your family inside and loving them. The film's overall message is exceptionally fleshed out in the film, even amidst the adventure's various hijinks and misadventures our heroes seem to get themselves in. Dory's a fun role model, one who's a bit, well, as we all ironically know, forgettable (by no means in a cinematic sense, but literally with her in the film), but one who's also down-to-Earth about finding her family without exception. But it's not just Dory who's a rainbow of positive messages. Marlin and Nemo make a great team, and it's obvious they're fully content on helping out their Blue Tang friend. Destiny, in particular, is a fun character. She's my favorite character in the film, mostly due to her bubbly attitude and irresistible cheeriness. She's a great sidekick to Dory, and one that I'm positive will be firmly grasped and hugged in the arms of children everywhere who have seen the film to date.
The lovable fish Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) is back, and so is her pesky short-term memory loss. But during a class trip with stingray teacher Mr. Ray (voiced by Bob Peterson) and his school of plucky fish, the Blue Tang fish suddenly starts remembering something hugely important: her family! Remembering details about her long-lost parents, Jenny (voiced by Diane Keaton) and Charlie (voiced by Eugene Levy), she persuades Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks) and his son Nemo (voiced by Hayden Rolence) to go with her to try and spot her mom and dad at the place she remembers her and her parents called home: The Jewel of Morro Bay, California. With the help of their good 'ol sea turtle pals, the trio of fish make it there, right in the heart of the Marine Life Institute aquarium. There, Dory meets the crabby but kindhearted septopus Hank (voiced by Ed O'Neil), her clumsy but quirky "pipe pal" Destiny (voiced by Kaitlin Olson), and the echolocation-savvy Bailey (voiced by Ty Burrell) - just a few of the many new friends the Blue Tang fish Dory will meet on this big, long, but most of all, unforgettable journey to get back to her parents and learn the true meaning of what it means to be in a family.Finding Dory works because it's simple yet terrific family entertainment. This may not be the absolute high peak us Pixar lovers have come to expect from films such as Inside Out or Up, but that sure doesn't stop it from earning a medal as pure fun for the whole family. It's likely to impress all audiences of every age thanks to a voice cast - led by the plucky Ellen DeGeneres - that delivers in every regard. Believe it or not, this is actually not Albert Brooks's only animated film he's voiced this year; he did the honor of bringing life to the hawk Tiberius in The Secret Life of Pets - although he doesn't skimp out on playing the cautious yet caring Clownfish father, Marlin, here as well. Ty Burrell is especially remarkable as the gag-friendly Bailey. He delivers a hilarious likability to the character, and it's completely and wonderfully noticeable in his role.
The film's animation is tactile, immaculate, and practically faultless at this point. No real surprise as this is coming from the big name in animation in Hollywood today, but everything in the film visually just seems so colorful, organic, bold, and even almost photorealistic that it would be nearly an insult to say that it's just "typical of Pixar's greatness". I'll discuss more in the video evaluation section below, but just take a look at one of this review's screenshots and revel in all the visual magic yourself. You'll be hard pressed to find a fault. In addition to film's incredible animation, the character designs are equally fantastic. Each fish seems to spring to life beyond the frame itself, resulting in a design that's not only Pixar-esque and attractive but also completely innovative with its entire widescreen frame in every sense of the term. While Dory and her pals from the original movie from 2003 deliver an appreciable upgrade from its latter, there's no digitally-animated stone unturned when it comes to the film's newer additions, too. Destiny the whale shark showcases her so-called "near-sightedness" with a bubbly personality and look. Becky, a scruffy, red-eyed bird, is likewise accurately detailed and lovingly designed. And, of course, we can't forget Gerald, the poor sea lion that just can never seem to get a chance on the beloved rock, whose cross-eyed, well, eyes, and overall look make him a memorable and funny side character.In the end, though, Finding Dory is mainly a film about finding your family inside and loving them. The film's overall message is exceptionally fleshed out in the film, even amidst the adventure's various hijinks and misadventures our heroes seem to get themselves in. Dory's a fun role model, one who's a bit, well, as we all ironically know, forgettable (by no means in a cinematic sense, but literally with her in the film), but one who's also down-to-Earth about finding her family without exception. But it's not just Dory who's a rainbow of positive messages. Marlin and Nemo make a great team, and it's obvious they're fully content on helping out their Blue Tang friend. Destiny, in particular, is a fun character. She's my favorite character in the film, mostly due to her bubbly attitude and irresistible cheeriness. She's a great sidekick to Dory, and one that I'm positive will be firmly grasped and hugged in the arms of children everywhere who have seen the film to date.
FINDING DORY Blu-ray - Video Quality
What a truly fantastic-looking Blu-ray. Finding Dory's picturesque, real looker of a 1080p transfer represents exactly what a digital-to-digital video presentation should be, and even more. Colors literally pop off the screen with startling definition and power. Dory's Blue Tang blue, Nemo's clownfish orange, or the general hues and tints of the Marine Life Institute are just some of the examples of the film's objects and locations leaping off of the television and into the home theater environment. Details likewise hugely impress. The bodies of water in the institute are lovingly clear and exceptionally crisp, showcasing a lifelike movement of the water that practically resembles real life. The little odds and ends of an aquarium truck represent lifelike detailing and faultless precision to enjoy. The film's end is a real treat, booming all sorts of different colors from different types of fish in a scene which cannot be described without spoilers. Black levels are healthily deep and inky. Whites are sharp and smartly-defined. Sparing amounts of negligible banding are lightly present in amounts that a majority of viewers of the film likely won't notice. Macroblocking and aliasing are nonexistent. What more do I need to say? Disney and Pixar's high-definition picture of Finding Dory is nothing short of demo-worthy in every sense of the term.
FINDING DORY Blu-ray - Audio Quality
Finding Dory's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack is an exceptional achievement of aggressive yet nuanced sound design and mixing. In the film's start, we're treated to fantastic separation of Thomas Newman's great score in the fronts and - especially - surrounds. It's big yet perfectly balanced, offering up pinpoint clarity to give it the icing on the aural cake. Sound effects dot the entire stage with faultless precision, whether in a suspenseful chase scene from a one-eyed beaked creature or the quieter, hushed noises of underwater gurgling or the chatter and clatter of the aquarium. A true reference-quality moment, near the 10 minute mark, is when a school of stingrays sing their migration song. It's a gleefully disarming yet sonically immersive moment. The chorus is skillfully placed in the surround channels with enveloping precision and dynamics, all wrapped together thanks to the sheer aural crispness of the track. Bass is healthily strong though never pounding, with arguably its biggest highlight being a scene near the film's end. Dialogue is consistently clear, razor-sharp, and effortlessly prioritized, with a number of panning effects and cross-channel effects that give the environment a more lifelike effect. This is a perfect example on how a film's sound engineering can really benefit a film's overall experience, even without overhead channels.
FINDING DORY Blu-ray - Special Features
Note that Finding Dory contains supplements on two discs. I'll list the special features that are included on each disc.DISC ONE
- Piper is an adorable little short film about a baby Sandpiper confronting its fears and learning about the happiness on the other side.
- Marine Life Interviews An old-fashioned, fun short of some of the characters from Finding Dory describing Dory and her personality.
- The Octopus That Nearly Broke Pixar takes an interesting look at arguably Pixar's most challenging character yet - both on the narrative and visual side of things.
- What Were We Talking About? is a short featurette about Dory's short-term memory loss in the film - and on how the makers of the film had to translate that to Dory's main mission in the film.
- Casual Carpool is a funny segment involving Andrew Stanton, Albert Brooks, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy, and Ed O'Neil drinking coffee and chit-chatting in a car on their way to work on the film.
- Animation & Acting The cast/crew of Finding Dory discuss the uniqueness about bringing their voices and blending them with the film's animation.
- Deep in the Kelp Young Jenna Ortega tells us about the massive research the Pixar crew did to make Finding Dory seem as real as possible.
- Creature Features The voice actors/actresses of the film showcase their characters' unique facts (E.g., Blue Tang fish, Whale Shark, etc.)
- Feature Commentary is narrated by director Andrew Stanton, co-director Angus MacLane, and producer Lindsey Collins. It's an interesting and very enjoyable track fans are sure to enjoy.
DISC TWO
- Skating and Sketching with Jason Deamer is a 4-minute featurette about Jason Deamer, a Pixar employee who's got a knack for skateboarding and character designing.
- Dory's Theme looks on Thomas Newman's terrific score and its factors that make it enjoyable and emblematic.
- Rough Day on the Reef is a very short, but nevertheless hilarious, compilation of glitches, mistakes, and on-the-whole flukes the computers had on the set of Finding Dory.
- Finding Nemo as Told By Emoji As the title suggests, Emoji tell the original 2003 film's storyline. But shouldn't this be included on the Finding Nemo Blu-ray disc?
- Fish Schticks is the typically enjoyable Pixar collection of various vignettes and animation tests from the film.
- Living Aquariums What an awesome supplement. More Blu-ray releases should do this. This is a fantastic collection of ambient noises/locations from the film, utilized for relaxation or just trying to get to sleep. The four "living aquariums" included here are as follows: Sea Grass, Open Ocean, Stingrays, and Swim To The Surface. They are also looped for your convenience.
- Deleted Scenes include an introduction by director Andrew Stanton and the following: Losing Nemo, Sleep Swimming, Little Tension In Clown Town, Meeting Hank, The Pig, Dory Dumped, and Starting Over.
- Trailers include the following: Sleep Swimming United States Trailer, Theatrical Payoff Japan Trailer, Can't Remember Spain Trailer, and Journey Russia Trailer.
- Rough Day on the Reef is a very short, but nevertheless hilarious, compilation of glitches, mistakes, and on-the-whole flukes the computers had on the set of Finding Dory.
- Finding Nemo as Told By Emoji As the title suggests, Emoji tell the original 2003 film's storyline. But shouldn't this be included on the Finding Nemo Blu-ray disc?
- Fish Schticks is the typically enjoyable Pixar collection of various vignettes and animation tests from the film.
- Living Aquariums What an awesome supplement. More Blu-ray releases should do this. This is a fantastic collection of ambient noises/locations from the film, utilized for relaxation or just trying to get to sleep. The four "living aquariums" included here are as follows: Sea Grass, Open Ocean, Stingrays, and Swim To The Surface. They are also looped for your convenience.
- Deleted Scenes include an introduction by director Andrew Stanton and the following: Losing Nemo, Sleep Swimming, Little Tension In Clown Town, Meeting Hank, The Pig, Dory Dumped, and Starting Over.
- Trailers include the following: Sleep Swimming United States Trailer, Theatrical Payoff Japan Trailer, Can't Remember Spain Trailer, and Journey Russia Trailer.
FINDING DORY Blu-ray - Overall Recommendation
Finding Dory may not be an instant Pixar classic, but there's no mistaking the visual beauty and charisma it gives in its performances and animation. It works extraordinarily well as a standalone entertainer, a follow-up to 2003's classic, and a worthy entry to Pixar's canon of terrific films to date. Ellen DeGeneres is expectedly great once again as forgetful but fun Dory, as is the rest of the gang aiding her on this journey to find her long-lost family. With top-notch digital animation, some laugh-a-minute gags, and a sprinkle of Pixar joy, it's one the whole family with undoubtedly enjoy on their next weekend movie night and earns a spot as one of the best animated movies of 2016. Disney's Blu-ray is equally fantastic. The video is spotless, the audio is of reference-quality, and the supplements are largely entertaining. Very highly recommended, as this is guaranteed to snag a spot on my list of the best Blu-ray releases of the year.
Here are some extra screenshots of the Blu-ray for your enjoyment/technical purposes:
No comments:
Post a Comment