Alice
In Wonderland (Unsuk Chen
Opera/2007/EuroArts/Unitel Classica/Naxos Blu-ray)/SpongeBob
Squarepants: SpongeBob & Friends
(2014/Nickelodeon DVD)
Picture:
B-/C+ Sound: B/C+ Extras: C+/D Main Programs: B-/B
Now
for two new titles aimed at children, but with some aspects that
might be slightly controversial.
First
we have Unsuk Chen's Operatic
version of Alice In
Wonderland (2007) has the
singers in oversized outfits that make them look like puppets or
marionettes. This is the latest twist in the oft told tale and I can
say after over 10 years, we have collectively reviewed more different
and differently interpreted versions of the classic book than any
other work of literature I can think of.
This
new EuroArts/Unitel Classica/Naxos Blu-ray release features conductor
Kent Nagano leading the Bayerisches Staatsorchester from the Korean
composer stage directed by Achim Freyer who also designed it and
brilliant costumes, masks & actual puppets by Nina Weitzner. It
can play as dark as the stop-motion animated Jan Svankmajer Alice
from 1988 and is far more creative than the fluffy 3D Tim Burton
film, but is just child safe enough for older children. This runs
just over 2 hours and is a clever interpretation all fans of the
books and other versions should see down to the fine singing and
solid pace.
Extras
include the usual text rich illustrated booklet on the opera, while
the Blu-ray adds trailers.
SpongeBob
Squarepants: SpongeBob & Friends
(2014) is simply over three hours (14 episodes of the show) in what
is easily the longest of the basic DVD singles Nickelodeon has ever
issued of the show and that says something since dozens of titles
have been issued in the format to date. The cover features starfish
fave Patrick posing with someone
having scratched out the first name in the show's logo and scribbling
in Patrick at the top of the DVD case.
Our
version has a translucent plastic slipcase and that is a nice
surprise that fanatics of the show will find collectible, but there
are no extras otherwise.
The
1080i 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer on Alice
is the better of the two being the only Blu-ray here, but it has its
share of detail issues and crushed Video Black, so the
1.33 X 1 image on the SpongeBob
episodes are more competitive by being more consistent, have fine
color and only limited aliasing errors.
The
DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mix on Alice
is stronger than its picture with solid dynamic range, a great
recording and consistent soundfield while the lossy Dolby Digital 2.0
Stereo on the SpongeBob
episodes are still decent and consistent with previous DVD releases
of the series, but not as warm or rich.
-
Nicholas Sheffo
