The Addams Family Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

The Addams Family Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount brings the fan-favorite 1991 film 'The Addams Family' to Blu-ray with a newly remastered and restored 1080p picture (which is also the source for the companion 4K UHD). The picture quality is exceptional. Rather than reconfigure for Dolby Atmos, the audio remains in the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless configuration. Paramount has added a couple of new extras and offers two cuts of the film: The Original Theatrical Cut (1:39:37) and a version with 'More Mamushka!' (1:41:09; Director Barry Sonnenfeld offers an optional introduction to this cut). The film was previously released to Blu-ray in 2014 under the Warner Brothers label.

The Addams Family Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount's newly remastered and restored Blu-ray, which was supervised by Director Barry Sonnenfeld, looks amazing. Breathtaking, really. The stability, clarity, and color excellence reach format peaks. The picture does reveal a few scattered softer looking shots, but the bulk is a gorgeously tuned, finely precise example of cinematic bliss. Grain is fine and well managed, lending to the picture a healthy filmic veneer. Details are incredibly stout. Super-sharp faces, clothes, and environmental details delight. Viewers will get to know these characters intimately: every last bit of makeup, every hair and pore, and every clothing thread. That's not to mention all of the kooky environmental treats on display throughout the house, and of course in some scenes beyond. Not a single shot passes by without absolutely delighting in some way. Colors are beautiful, darker tones of course dominate with grays and blacks some of the biggest palette players in the movie. Black levels are incredible. Depth is perfect and shadows and nighttime shots show a true black that accentuates the film perfectly. Black attire, black makeup, black hair, all of those critical superior accents never want for improved screen presence. Conversely, whites and lighter tones are lively and accurate within the darker dominance. The picture shows not even a hint of print wear or encode artifacts. The film couldn't look better on Blu-ray, but the companion 4K UHD is the superior image.

The Addams Family Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Paramount brings The Addams Family to Blu-ray with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, the same encode featured on the 2014 Warner Brothers Blu-ray. Michael Reuben described that track as "little more than a discrete encoding of the four channels created for the surround matrix, with minor reinforcement from the LFE channel." He also labeled it "a playful mix." I did not review, nor do I have access to, that disc, but based on that verbiage it's very possible that this is a newly mixed track because it's insanely loud, aggressive, full-throttle from start to finish. The track is a dominant force with every opportunity. Music soars with incredible dynamics and serious front side engagement and volume. At reference level this one is a beast, with well defined low end support and excellent and well balanced surround activity. The train sequence heard around the 39-minute mark is a treat to say the least. The precision movement, intense volume, and uninhibited expressiveness and surround engagement make it a stellar reference quality moment for full-on audio assault. Such holds true with any prominent sounds in the film. Everything is aggressively immersive, thunderously loud, and full of invigorated bass. Yet it is all balanced and true, never forceful for forcefulness' sake. One can only imagine what might have been with an Atmos mix allowing even more opportunity for immersive precision, but even limited to a more traditional 5.1 presentation this one is an absolute delight. Pure, clear, well prioritized, and center focused dialogue round an insanely fun track into perfect finished form. Fans are in for a serious treat with this one and, combined with the hugely impressive video work, this is one of the absolute best catalogue A/V experiences of 2021.

The Addams Family Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The previous Blu-ray, issued by Warner Brothers, included only a pair of trailers. This release includes both of those plus a new retrospective and an archival featurette. A digital copy code is included with purchase. This release does not appear to ship with a slipcover.

• More Mamushka! Introduction by Director Barry Sonnenfeld (1080p, 0:32): Sonnenfeld briefly discusses discovering the original negative and bringing the full dance into the movie.
• NEW! Filmmaker Focus: Barry Sonnenfeld on The Addams Family (1080p, 16:32): Sonnenfeld discusses what was his first film. He remembers the challenges of making the movie, his connection to the characters in his youth, his hesitancy to direct the film and direct in general, his collaborations with Cinematographer Owen Roizman, cast and performances, the cast's rejection of the original ending, the film's full suite of practical effects, set design, the film's sale from Orion to Paramount, the Mamushka dance, the film's success on release, and more.
• Archival Featurette (1080p, 7:29): A look at the Addams family dynamics, character details, stunt work and choreography, sets, and more.
• Theatrical Trailer 1 (480i, 1:17).
• Theatrical Trailer 2 (480i, 1:22).

The Addams Family Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Addams Family hasn't lost a step in three decades. It remains a lively and fun movie escape that has found new life thanks to Paramount's shipshape Blu-ray. The 1080p visuals are excellent, the 5.1 track is a treat, and a few new extras are included. Highly recommended, but do choose the UHD for the most optimal viewing experience.