kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 1:32 am Post subject: The Lion King (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray) |
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Another reference disc!
The Lion King (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray / DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1994)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | The 2D presentation of this classic Disney film is every bit as amazing and awe-inspiring as the 3D version was. It's colors burst off the screen in what is arguably the most vibrant, colorful animated film on Blu-ray to date. This is a must own release for sure.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
I've got to say that Disney's 1080p presentation of 'The Lion King' is probably the best I've ever seen a hand-drawn animated feature look on Blu-ray. Yes, 'The Princess and the Frog' was immaculate, but 'The Lion King' looks that much better. Perhaps it's because of the movie's awe-inspiring scope. Whatever it is, it looks downright fantastic in every frame.
Colors are intensely vivid. They leap off the screen. I was drawn to the orange-to-red gradient on Zazu's bill. The finely shaded gradient is wonderfully colorful. The 2D animation flourishes in HD. Edges are perfectly concise and easy to discern. Lighting is carefully placed giving the animation a very 3D feel.
There isn't a speck of dirt or grime here. This is an immaculately clean transfer free from any technical flubs or mishaps that might detract from the viewer's experience. What is even more amazing is that the very early computer animation that was used during this film doesn't jump out at you. Even though the technology was still in its infancy, it's hardly noticeable here. The stampede looks natural and flows perfectly. Even with the added high definition, you'd never be able to strain your eyes and say, "Yeah, that's early CG." From start to finish, this is one of the most splendidly colorful, and demo-ready discs out there. Its 2D presentation is spectacularly amazing in every way.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
The audio for 'The Lion King' comes by way of a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix, while the two dubs are given "Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mixes," whatever that means. This film doesn't pack one of those excessively powerful punches that tries to redefine audio by showing how loud a film can get. This track, is about balance, a balance that is here in spades.
The dialogue and atmospheric effects are placed perfectly throughout the soundstage, with absolutely wonderful dynamics, not a second of distortion, not a single off or odd line or sound. Distinction, directionality, localization effects, they're all top notch. Echoes put you right in the middle of a number of scenes. Bass levels are a bit subdued, with a nice thump on the stomp of elephant hooves, or the constant rumble in the stampede, but there's never any real roaring moment, and especially in a scene filled with hundreds of rampaging beasts filling a room, you bet I would have loved to have that added depth.
Ah well. I really have no complaints. This track can't measure up to some of the other animated titles, of its era, before or after, with its obviously subdued intentions. There are times listening to the film where you want there to be a thunderous roar, a tremendous thump or rumble, and it just isn't there. This presentation is still very, very faithful to the original source. |
Kal
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