
Addams
Family
(2019/CGI Feature/MGM/Universal Blu-ray w/DVD)/The
Big Trip
(2019/Lionsgate DVD)/Maleficent:
Mistress Of Evil
(2019/Disney 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)
4K
Ultra HD Picture: A Picture: B+ & B/C+/B+ Sound: B+ &
B/C+/A Extras: B-/C/B- Films: C+
Now
for our latest child-friendly entries, also aimed at families...
Surprisingly
not yet (as of this writing) available on 4K Ultra HD disc, the new
digitally animated reimagining of The
Addams Family
(2019) from Universal is now on Blu-ray. I was a bit skeptical of
this one upon the initial advertising and yet was pleasantly
surprised by the result.
The
animation is very cool and highly textured (even more so watching it
upscaled on a 4K TV) and the story appropriately updates the Addams
Family to the modern world. While not perfect, there's a lot of fun
to be had in this Addams Family adaptation that will certainly tide
us over until Universal & MGM (or another studio? MGM owns the
rights.) decides to do another live action installment, as there
hasn't been once since Addams
Family Values
in 1993.
The
Addams Family
features the voice talents of Oscar Isaac (Star
Wars: The Last Jedi),
Charlize Theron (Long
Shot),
Chloe Grace Moretz (Kick
Ass),
Finn Wolfhard (It,
"Stranger
Things"),
Nick Kroll (The
Secret Life of Pets 2,
Sing),
and music icons Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler (Hocus
Pocus,
Oliver
& Company,
The
First Wives Club)
and Allison Janney (Minions,
I,
Tonya).
The
macabre Addams Family are certainly non conformists to the pastel
colored modern town that lies beyond the gates of their gothic
estate. As Wednesday becomes curious about the outside world, a home
renovator (Middler) spies on the town and tries to outcast the Addams
Family by turning the town folk against them. Can Gomez, Morticia,
Uncle Fester, Pugsley and the rest of the gang blend in to the
'normal' world despite their odd tastes?
The
film is presented in 1080p high definition on Blu-ray disc with a
1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio and an audio mix in DTS-HD MA (Master
Audio) 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) lossless sound, both of which are up to
par for the format. The animation, as mentioned, is quite
interesting and is a bit of a throwback to the original cartoon with
a digital modern twist. Also included is a lesser (and compressed)
anamorphically
enhanced,
standard definition DVD. A digital copy is also included.
Special
Features include:
Deleted
and Extended Scenes
Welcome
to the Family
- In this combined Making of/Character Profiles, we hear from the
filmmakers and stars of The
Addams Family
about how the film came about, the animation process and insight into
the characters.
Life
of a Scene
- From black & white storyboards and layouts to animation and
lighting, follow along with filmmakers as they bring to life a scene
from the movie.
Charades
with Thing
- There's nothing quite like a game of Charades with your friends.
But what happens when the person giving the clues isn't exactly a
person? What if he's just... a hand? On talent day, stars of the
film are invited to play Charades with Thing. Talent goes
head-to-head, competing to see who can guess Thing's clues. Graphics
reveal the answers and keep score for each player.
Addams
Family Throwback
"Haunted
Heart"
Lyric Video - performed by Christina Aguilera
and
"My
Family"
Lyric Video - performed by Migos, Karol G, Rock Mafia & Snoop
Dogg.
Next
is an obscure computer animated film that is not as bad as you might
think. Vasily Rovenskiy's The
Big Trip
(2019) with a stork that mis-delivers a baby panda to a bear, who is
not in the mood and tries to find its proper home to little avail.
This, despite getting help from some other animals. Penned by a
Madagascar
alumni, it sounds like it could be a Bugs Bunny cartoon, but the
comedy is less funny, still amusing and at least consistent.
Drake
Bell and an unlikely Pauly Shore are the known names doing the new
voice acting and the cast does a good job here, plus the script
sticks with its narrative (it only runs 84 minutes) without stupid or
gross jokes, or the kind of joking that has become cliche (the
condescending 'oh, that's funny' kind) so this is not bad and worth a
look if you are trying to find 'the kids' something fun they may not
have heard of.
The
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 image looks decent and the lossy
Dolby Digital 5.1 sounds good in combination for the format and
delivers performance in line with other CGI DVD releases of late.
Extras include the Giving
The Characters A Voice
featurette on voicing the U.S. release of this program and a Trailer
Gallery.
Finally,
Angelina Jolie is the perfect fit for the Disney super villainess
Maleficent, as she proved in the blockbuster 2014 film. As nobody
was really clamoring for a sequel, Maleficent:
Mistress of Evil
(2019) came and went in theaters without too much fanfare. However,
it's really not so bad aside from some formulaic story tropes and a
few rather silly on the nose moments. The presentation on the 4K UHD
disc, however, is seriously impressive and full of beautiful vibrant
colors and will serve as a great demo disc for your home
entertainment system if nothing else.
The
film also stars Elle Fanning, Harris Dickinson, Sam Riley, and
Michelle Pfeiffer.
Maleficent
uncovers new truths about her origins and her species in the
follow-up to the 2014 film. As Aurora (Fanning), her adopted
daughter, decides to tie the knot with a young Prince. Maleficent
goes to meet the family, and comes face to face with the Queen
(Pfeiffer). After an incident at a dinner party, Maleficent goes
into hiding and ends up meeting the Fey, which are the same species
as she is. Unbeknownst to her, another world of the Feys struggles
to thrive as humanity launches an attack on them. Can she bring
peace before a serious war begins?
Maleficent:
Mistress of Evil
is presented on 4K UHD disc with a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1
in a 2160p HEVC/H.265, HDR (10; Ultra HD Premium)-enhanced Ultra High
Definition image and audio mix in lossless Dolby Atmos 11.1 (and
Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) mixdown) presentation. This top of
the line transfer features a wide range of colors and impressive
detail on the production design and characters of the film. The 4K
presentation is dramatically more detailed than the also included
1080p high definition Blu-ray disc, which also houses the extras for
the film.
A
digital copy is also included.
Special
Features include:
Origins
of the Fey
featurette
Aurora's
Wedding
featurette
If
You Had Wings
featurette
VFX
Reel
Outtakes
and
a Music Video
Maleficent:
Mistress of Evil
is an incredible watch on 4K UHD for the pristine presentation alone.
The film itself isn't a masterpiece, but is a fine follow-up to the
original film that presents some interesting production design and
attempts the difficult task of bringing to life a realistic fairy
tale land.
-
Nicholas Sheffo (Big
Trip)
and James
Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/