A Midsummer Night's Dream Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

A Midsummer Night's Dream Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 20, 2017

Julie Taymor is a highly respected director who gained a reputation for imaginative, challenging work with triumphs such as the stage version of “The Lion King,” also rattling movie theaters with effort such as “Titus” and “Across the Universe.” Joining this list of accomplishments is 2014’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which finds Taymor returning to Shakespeare for inspiration, transforming a relatively small space on the stage into a dreamscape free fall starring known characters and host of artistic surprises.

Taymor’s work on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is big and broad, using a large white sheet as an object of transition, with the fabric becoming a screen, the heavens, a bed, or a tablecloth at a wedding. It’s an inventive way of moving through the comedy, joining interesting costuming and make-up choices to bring the characters to life, and masks play an important part in the production as well. Taymor loves movement, and the play winds around the stage, keeping actors on the move as they manage dialogue and float around the theater, refreshing the familiar with extraordinary staging, while actress Kathryn Hunter (portraying Puck) adds a touch of the unreal with contortionist moves.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

As it's not a truly cinematic interpretation of Taymor's work, the AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation does just fine with a boxy feel of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Sharpness is defined throughout, picking up on make-up work and ornate costuming, and set changes are explored in full, delivering touchable textures and ideal depth. Colors are alive and eager, and while the palette favors simpler hues, more advanced imagery comes through with vigor. Delineation is strong. Some mild banding is detected.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix is rather intricate, detailing the fantasy world of the play but also its various participants, keeping dialogue exchanges clear and immediate. More importantly, room ambiance is preserved, with a slight echo to retain the stage sensation. Music is crisp and direct, never intruding on the action. Atmospherics are most interesting, feeling out a circular presence, while thunder brings some low-end rumble to the listening event.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Invitation to Dream" (3:05, HD) is a brief discussion of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with director Julie Taymor. Exploring her interpretation of the original play, Taymor explains creative choices and visual ambition, touching on the meaning of dreamscape discoveries.

• "The Rude Elementals" (4:22, HD) meets up with the 17 children cast to play meddlesome fairies and physical obstacles of the play. Taymor returns to share her feelings about working with children, and rehearsal footage is shared, detailing the manic energy of the room as the young stars arrived ready to play.

• "Titania & Oberon and the Rude Mechanicals" (4:03, HD) is a short summation of character and casting, with Taymor joined by the actors to discuss their performance goals and challenges.

• And Trailer #1 (2:37, HD) and Trailer #2 (1:35, HD) are included.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's a long journey through "A Midsummer Night's Dream," but Taymor is never one to rest, keeping the effort alert, expressive, and eye-opening.