7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Two children left home alone for a short while one afternoon are visited by a very interesting yet troublesome cat wearing a tall striped hat. The cat succeeds in creating a huge mess in their house - can they get it cleaned up before Mom gets home?
Starring: Allan Sherman (I), Daws Butler, Pamelyn Ferdin, Tony Frazier (I), Gloria Camacho (I)Family | 100% |
Animation | 86% |
Musical | 42% |
Short | 16% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital Mono
English SDH, French, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Of all the beloved Dr. Seuss books, few are more familiar and more iconic than "The Cat in the Hat." Written in response to a friend and educator's challenge -- "write me a story first-graders can't put down" -- and comprised primarily of words drawn from a list of 350 deemed accessible to first graders, the creation of the now-infamous Cat and the genesis of his silly but sly mess of things led to the 1957 book's overwhelming success and helped solidify Theodor Geisel's place in educational and, yes, literary history. But while much of its charm and good humor made the transition to the small screen with 1971's DePatie-Freleng Enterprises animated television special, a bit too much was left behind. The Cat springs to life on the page to this day yet somehow seems confined and even a tad beleaguered in motion. The special will no doubt continue to delight those who discovered it as young children (nostalgia is the great equalizer after all), but their children, weened on modern animation and the best Pixar and DreamWorks has to offer, will be less than enthused with the two-dimensional misadventures and sing-songy zaniness that unfolds.
Like How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Lorax and Green Eggs and Ham before it, The Cat in the Hat features a faithful remaster and commendable 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer that dust off the 1971 TV special and make it look good as new. Colors are bright and vibrant, black levels are deep and inky, and contrast is consistent. Grain is intact as well (to the point of being a bit frenzied at times), and every last detail and flaw in the original animation is on display for all to see. The animators' line art is crisp and clean (minus the usual cel inconsistencies and slight misalignments) and color fills are stable and satisfying. Moreover, there aren't any serious instances of artifacting, banding, aliasing or the like, and age is the only factor that works against the presentation.
Warner's DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track isn't going to inspire many fans to cheer as enthusiastically as they should, but only because the original audio elements aren't exactly cause for excitement. The studio has done a fine job restoring the quality of the dialogue and effects, though, and the music and songs rarely crowd out the proceedings. Noise and hiss are kept to a reasonable minimum and there aren't any major distractions -- other than the obvious -- to contend with. All in all, Warner delivers a solid AV presentation.
"The Cat in the Hat" may be a timeless, fan-favorite Dr. Seuss book, but the 1971 television special of the same name is less successful and beholden to its era. Granted, nostalgia will prevail for those blessed with it. Others, though, won't be so lucky. Thankfully, Warner has treated The Cat in the Hat with the utmost respect regardless, and the only disappointment to be had is that the disc's supplemental package is as anemic as it is.
Dr. Seuss on the Loose: The Sneetches / The Zax / Green Eggs and Ham | Deluxe Edition
1973
1970
Deluxe Edition
1972
1974
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2009
1992
1948
1974
1946
1999
Diamond Edition
1950
1977
1989
Peter Pan 2
2002
2007
1942
1991
Diamond Edition
1955
1984-2006
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax / with Plush Toy
2012