6.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The odyssey of two animal friends, a cat named Milo, and a dog named Otis, as they journey through the Japanese wilderness.
Starring: Milo (XV), Otis (VI)Family | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English, English SDH, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
BD-Live
Region A (locked)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Deep down inside we're all cats.
The Adventures of Milo and Otis may not be a work of art, but it is a work of the heart. Even setting aside the cute animals, easygoing
adventure, and honest themes, the movie plays with an underlying tenderness and always-evident gentleness that's touching and refreshing alike.
The movie's plot is simple, its characters real, and their challenges many; it's a genuine slice-of-life movie that shows that pure storytelling still lives,
that sometimes it's the simplest things that speak the loudest, that a heartfelt narrative wrapped in goodness and integrity and promoting good values
and true life lessons still trumps all. But even for the littlest of audiences, The Adventures of Milo and Otis succeeds because of its simplicity
and visual warmth and cuddliness. The movie feels safe even when its characters find danger, when they're separated in the cold, lost under the
darkness of night, yearning only to reunite and return home. And yes, they are awfully cute. But no matter for what purpose one may watch
it or
when,
the movie transports its audience, at least for its brief runtime, to a place of safety and contentment where, yes, challenges remain, but goodness
reigns.
Best friends.
The Adventures of Milo and Otis debuts on Blu-ray with a steady and film-like 1080p, 1.85:1-framed transfer. Opening credits wobble slightly, darker scenes are prone to slight crush, and light blocking dots a few backgrounds, but the transfer is otherwise sound and pleasant, looking rather good in high definition. Fine detail is solid, but somewhat unremarkable. Animal fur in close-up shots appears to flow naturally, each strand generally distinct from the others. Detail is also strong on wooden textures -- both shaped by man and in its natural state -- while rusty train tracks, rocks, and grasses appear sharp and suitably intricate. Certainly, the film is never razor-sharp and distant shots of leaves, for example, appear slightly smeared, but the image on the whole is very stable and true. Colors are strong, bright and natural, and never excessively vibrant, warm, or dim. Orange cat fur, green grasses, rusty railroad tracks, and warm woods look great in high definition. Moderate grain retention, an absence of digital tinkering, and a fairly clean print all help to make The Adventures of Milo and Otis a good-looking catalogue release from Sony.
The Adventures of Milo and Otis features a steady DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The movie doesn't serve up any sort of significant sonic elements, but everything is in order. The track is full-bodied and yields good clarity in all elements. Music is satisfying, nicely balanced and spaced and never shallow. Light ambience helps to create a more realistic environment, even if it is limited to light rushing waters, clucking inside the henhouse, or barely-audible meows and barks. Dudley Moore's narration is crisp and smoothly delivered via the center channel. This is no surround sound extravaganza, but the reserved, competent, sincere sonic presentation is a fine asset to a great movie.
The Adventures of Milo and Otis comes to Blu-ray without any supplements beyond a trailer. A DVD version of the film is included on a separate
disc.
The Adventures of Milo and Otis is a superb film about life. It doesn't hide its parallels and lessons, but it shares them with such a gentle breath and reassuring touch that they just sink in whether the viewer chooses to fully embrace the important life-teaching simplicity of the story or not. It's so tenderhearted, warm, and pure that it's easy to become lost in the basic adventures of two adorable animals and the friends and enemies they meet along the way, but no matter how one sees it or what they take from it, there's no denying that The Adventures of Milo and Otis is anything but a perfect example of wholesome family entertainment fit for all ages, in any age. Sony's Blu-ray release doesn't come with any meaningful supplements, but in this case, the movie speaks for itself. The video and audio are unsurprisingly strong, given that this is a Sony release. Though it's far from the perfect Blu-ray package, the quality and purpose of the movie overwhelms all other factors. The Adventures of Milo and Otis earns my highest recommendation.
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