7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura DernDrama | 100% |
Romance | 55% |
Period | 34% |
Coming of age | 29% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Turkish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Norwegian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Masterful filmmaker Greta Gerwig's equally masterful Little Women (2019) makes its domestic 4K debut courtesy of the Volume 5 box set of the Columbia Classics Collection, a terrific release that also features 4K versions of Robert Rossen's All the King's Men (1949), an unforgettable Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954), Best Picture biopic A Man for All Seasons (1966), the still-hilarious Tootsie (1982) and the sumptuous, Daniel Day Lewis-led The Age of Innocence (1993). Each volume in Sony's ongoing collection not only highlights a spread of the best of the best of the decades, it gives each film a high quality video presentation, (when necessary) a striking remaster or restoration, cutting edge audio (typically an Atmos upgrade), and often new extras.
Little Women's 2160p upgrade is quite striking, barring a single issue -- black crush -- that still rears its head every so often when thick shadows, dark hair and candlelit interiors cross paths. (Timothy Chalamet's pitch-black locks are a frequent victim.) But otherwise, everything is precisely as it should be, though all evidence points to the crushing likely being a product of the photography or original negative. Colors are lovely and rich, with bold splashes of primary decadence that allows the Dolby Vision expansions and improvements to work wonders. The film often favors warm tones, particularly when hearth and home are being emphasized, leading to a number of scenes that appear bathed in almost too much fire light. But the modern eye doesn't attune well to what lighting in the era would have been, so Gerwig's commitment to presenting things naturally, as well as her desire to pluck nostalgia from the pages of the original book, combine to create an at-times over-saturated yet wholly intentional, and stunning, image that makes a mark. Black levels are deep and inky too, with contrast that's vibrant and bold, offering a disarming view of both the rooms of the girls' house and the stunning vistas that pepper their world. Detail, meanwhile, is exacting, with all the hallmarks of a 4K presentation done right. Edges are crisply defined without veering into artificial territory, allowing the movie -- shot on film! -- to look like a movie, well, that's shot on film. Grain is never distracting, merely adding a suitably refined, almost elegant textile quality to the cinematography. Fine textures are rewarding too, particularly when examining the period dresses, overcoats and other costuming Gerwig's production offers in every scene. Moreover, there isn't a hint of artifacting, banding or any other nasty bit of business at play, meaning the encode is proficient and pristine. This is, hands down, the definitive presentation of Little Women and it belongs on your shelves.
Little Women's standard Blu-ray release already boasted top tier 5.1 sound design and a lossless audio track to match. But Sony's 4K edition of the film goes even farther, offering a Dolby Atmos experience that far and away bests its predecessor. Gerwig adores setting, so much so that she goes out of her way to create enveloping cityscapes, bustling streets, rustling fields and surging oceans that sound every bit as real as they should. Crowd chatter and passing carriages clap and clatter to life. Wind blowing across the tops of trees ebb and ease from each speaker, with leaves joining a chorus of birds, insects and quietly dynamic foliage. It's all startlingly real and oh so engaging. Directionality is flawless, with each element of the soundfield clamoring for attention, albeit so humbly that none overpower another. Prioritization is perfect, dialogue included, and there's never a word, whip of willow, or sonic wonderment out of place or underrepresented. LFE support is excellent too. Little Women is no slouch when it comes to using low-end frequencies to bolster its soundscape and oft-times soaring, sometimes heart-wrenching score, and everything from hoof-falls to furniture scraping along flooring is given proper attention. Dynamics really shine in these moments, with a film that could've sounded ordinary and unremarkable rising to the level of a far more physically active endeavor. I thought Little Women's audio was already at its best five years ago but Sony's Atmos upgrade proves there's always a little more to be had given the proper technology and adherence to filmmaker intention.
Little Women is a fitting addition to the Columbia Classics Collection. The film itself bridges Old Hollywood and New with deceptively effortless ease, its 4K video presentation is a stunner, its Dolby Atmos experience is magnificent, and the release even offers significant new supplemental material in the form of a filmmaker and leading actress audio commentary and featurette. Highly recommended.
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