7.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.4 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.4 |
In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by the Demigod Maui reaches Moana's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the Demigod to set things right.
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Alan Tudyk, Auli'i Cravalho, Jemaine Clement, Nicole ScherzingerFamily | 100% |
Adventure | 92% |
Animation | 85% |
Fantasy | 78% |
Comedy | 50% |
Musical | 36% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Though Disney regularly releases animated films, it's not a factory. It's instead an environment that produces genuine one-of-a-kind movie experiences that may occasionally share core concepts or themes but almost every one of them feels unique, purposeful in their own ways, memorable beyond their core production concepts and characters. Whether cherished, timeless classics or brand-new masterpieces that have left an indelible mark on both popular culture and on the heart, the studio always does its due diligence in making movies that are as finely intimate as they are grandly spectacular. Moana is the latest, and it's certainly not an exception. Beautifully assembled and telling an exciting, large-in-scope story of inward and outward discovery, it champions comfortable but critical themes in a breathtaking world where the most impressive magic comes from within.
Moana's 3D presentation impresses where it needs to impress. It doesn't add anything particularly dynamic to the experience in the way a movie like Doctor Strange feels enhanced by the added depth, but the format certainly suits Disney's latest animated film. The 3D effect is a little less dynamic here, boasting quality depth and volume to objects and characters but not much more. The film shines brightest on the open waters where wooden boats enjoy a real sense of shape, stretch forwards and backwards and against the bright blue water. Water's little ebbs and flows on calmer seas and crashes during violent storms both draw the viewer in and offer a serious sense of place, open yet inescapable and always in motion. Characters are appropriately volumetric, both body and hair, while island environments and elements, like leaves or coconuts, find sufficient shape and depth in hollowed out centers, as in the case of the latter. The image retains the same level of striking, complex character, clothing, environment, and wood detailing found on the 2D-only Blu-ray. Colors try their best to remain ever well saturated and brilliant, though they're a shade less prominent through the 3D glasses. Still, it's a strong overall image, incorporating the best that both formats have to offer. Moana isn't must-see 3D, but format-capable viewers do get both versions in the same case, and both are well worth watching (and the movie, certainly, holds up to repeat and close-together viewings, anyway).
Moana sails onto Blu-ray with a high-yield DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. That track presents with effortless travel throughout the stage. Music, effects, and support pieces are positioned and presented as well as can be expected. Ocean water, calm and raging alike, flows through with every drop accounted for and properly positioned. The musical presentation is powerful but precise. Instrumental and vocal clarity are terrific, with power and finer-note definition reproduced in sensational harmony. The low end is particularly healthy and robust, though the track's action scenes -- a raging storm, a combination of thunder, driving rain, and crashing waves -- could stand to power out a little more raw aggression. Still, surrounds are used extensively to capture the most dynamic action or the most subtle atmospherics, both presenting with seamless immersion and accurate placement. Dialogue delivery is center positioned, well prioritized, and always cleanly delivered.
Moana contains two short films, some technical behind-the-scenes features, deleted scenes, a commentary track, and more, all on the
included 2D disc. No new content is included on the 3D disc, but the Inner Workings short film is presented in 3D (1080p, DTS-HD MA 7.1,
6:26). A DVD copy of
the
film and a Disney digital copy voucher are
included
with purchase.
Moana is a great film. There's nary a misstep to be found. It covers all the bases: it's colorful and buoyant enough for the kids, meaty enough for the adults, richly animated and realized, strongly voiced, gorgeously presented...it's hard to find any fault worth noting. Disney's Blu-ray 3D release doesn't offer revelatory 3D video, but it's well done and worth checking out. And with the 2D disc also included, upgrading for a few dollars seems a solid proposition. Nothing else changes between editions, though one of the short films is available in 3D here. Moana, either the 2D-only release or this 3D combo pack, earns my highest recommendation.
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