7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
See The world from a kid's-eye view with Matilda, a modern fairy tale that mixes hilarious humor with the magical message of love.
Starring: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam FerrisFamily | 100% |
Comedy | 88% |
Fantasy | 27% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
Czech: Dolby Digital 2.0
German: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Polish: Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Sony has released the cherished 1996 film 'Matilda,' directed by Danny DeVito and starring DeVito, Rhea Perlman, and Mara Wilson, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos audio. In addition to the carryover Blu-ray extras, which appear on the bundled Blu-ray disc (which, aside from new disc artwork appears to be the same disc as the original 2013 Sony issue), Sony has added a band-new commentary with Danny DeVito and a trailer on the UHD disc. At time of writing, 'Matilda' is only available on the UHD format in SteelBook packaging.
Matilda first released to Blu-ray a decade ago with a very healthy and attractive 1080p transfer. Sony has nevertheless magnified and multiplied
the movie's visual excellence via this astounding 2160p/Dolby Vision release. The picture excels in all areas of concern. The new Dolby Vision color
grading brings abundant vividness and brightness to the picture, offering expressive, popping colors across the entire landscape of this inherently
colorful
film, including a number of very specific elements (a lot full of cars at the 14:39 mark) or various clothing and location elements seen throughout the
film. The sense of fine-tuned excellence is apparent in every shot, evident even in more brilliant whites and deeper and more fruitful blacks. However,
it's the color output through the rest of the spectrum where the image truly shines, revealing how the Dolby Vision grading has strengthened every tone
for greater richness and robustness while maintaining strict tonal accuracy and even contrast and temperature grading. Harry's loud attire stands as one
of the significant highlights. Skin tones are likewise very healthy and seemingly accurate in every shot.
The image is beautifully filmic. It amplifies the cinematic appeal of the original release with superior grain management and superior detailing. The grain
is lovely to behold. It's fine and consistent from start to finish, making for a perfect starting point for a faithful film-like look. Details are consistently
razor-sharp, more so than the previous Blu-ray. The increased resolution allows for a clearer, sharper, more exceptionally stable and accurate
presentation of the film, where details are strikingly rich and fully realized, right down to the absolute finest freckle on Matilda's face, moustache hair on
Harry's face, or various clothing or environmental elements. One of the great things about the movie, visually, is just how dense it is. There is endless
opportunity for visual exploration of the wonderful elements throughout the production design, including in Matilda's home, at the car lot, in the school,
and elsewhere. The production design just looks gorgeous here, and fans are going to love exploring this world all over again with a clarity and
definition that makes it feel like the first time. Add the complete absence of print damage and encode issues and this is a wonderful transfer that's best
described as "magical."
This new Dolby Atmos audio soundtrack accompanying Matilda shares essentially the same core characteristics as its original Blu-ray counterpart's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. However, the sense of fuller engagement is evident in various moments, especially in more crowded audio cues where the surround-backs and overheads contribute to creating a fuller, richer sound environment. In such scenes the bustle of activity is more tangibly fluid and seamless, more realistic and immersive, pushing past the 5.1 track's limits for the most complete listen yet. The overheads are not really used with any obvious discrete content, but the support structure they provide certainly advances spatial awareness and elevates -- literally -- some of the more playfully engaging sound cues in the film. Musical stretch and clarity are excellent, again benefitting from the added channels. Subwoofer support is never awe-inspiring, but it is not meant to be; it is perfectly complementary in its subtle usage. Dialogue is clear, well prioritized, and center focused for the duration.
This new UHD release of Matilda contains all of the legacy Blu-ray extras on the Blu-ray disc. The UHD adds a commentary track and a trailer.
See below fo a breakdown of what's included and please click here for coverage of the legacy Blu-ray extras.
UHD:
Matilda is a sweet and charming little movie about the power of hope, of kindness, of a desire to make things better rather than settle for whatever life seems to have in store. It's also, in a way, a frightening portrait of neglect, abuse, and misunderstanding. The film sometimes feels needlessly exaggerated but nevertheless cannot escape the innate charm and the satisfaction that comes with its final act. Though it might be a bit frightening for the youngest viewers, Matilda makes for rather clean family entertainment. Sony's new UHD release of Matilda delivers delightfully perfect video and essentially reference audio. The new audio commentary track is a treat, and the SteelBook is first-rate. Very highly recommended!
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