8.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.4 |
Shizuku Tsukishima, a young girl in junior high, loves to read. Yet, every time she opens a library book, it seems the same name appears on the cards: "Seiji Amasawa". As Shizuku learns who this person is, she also begins to learn about herself and her goals in life—a discovery that will change her life forever.
Starring: Yoko Honna, Takashi Tachibana, Shigeru Muroi, Shigeru Tsuyuguchi, Minami TakayamaForeign | 100% |
Anime | 92% |
Family | 52% |
Romance | 23% |
Comic book | 13% |
Music | 3% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Bonus View (PiP)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Japanese director Yoshifumi Kondo's "Mimi wo sumaseba" a.k.a "Whisper of the Heart" (1995) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Studio Canal. The supplemental features on the disc include original Japanese theatrical trailers and TV spots; fully integrated storyboards; gallery of conceptual drawings; making of featurette; and more. In Japanese, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Strange friends
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Yoshifumi Kondo's Whisper of the Heart arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Studio Canal.
Studio Ghibli's Whisper of the Heart looks wonderful on Blu-ray. Colors are rich and vibrant but at the same time well balanced, never looking boosted or, worse, plastic. The image also has plenty of depth - the film does not look like a series of beautifully drawn postcards, but rather like a carefully put together mosaic of crisp moving pictures. Additionally, there are no banding or aliasing patterns. Serious denoising corrections have not been performed either. Finally, there are no stability issues to report in this review. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray disc. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free PS3 or SA in order to access its content).
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks. For the record, Studio Canal have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature.
The Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is excellent. For example, there are various unique sounds and noises that enhance the terrific atmosphere in the film very well. Yuji Nomi's score also plays an important role in the film, though its primary function is to enhance existing moods and feelings rather than to create them. The surround channels are used sparingly but are still very effective. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and easy to follow. The English dub is also surprisingly good. The lines are well spoken and occasionally even matching the intensity of the Japanese dialog.
Japanese director Yoshifumi Kondo's Whisper of the Heart is undoubtedly one of the most realistic films to come out of Studio Ghibli. It tells a simple but beautiful story that is guaranteed to appeal to children of all ages as well as grown-ups. The film looks wonderful on Blu-ray. If you could play Region-B releases and like Studio Ghibli's films, do not hesitate to add it to your collections. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Mimi o Sumaseba
1995
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