The Devil Wears Prada (Blu-ray)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: C+ Film: B-
The Devil Wears Prada continues to impress and
entertain as one of 2006’s more satisfying films and for all intents and
purposes, a sleeper hit. Sure, it did
better overseas, but then the DVD arrived and that has rented and sold
well. We previously reviewed that DVD, a
review you can find at the following link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/4628/The+Devil+Wears+Prada+(Widescreen+DVD-Video)
Now, Fox
has wisely made the films one of their early Blu-ray releases and it is one of
the best choices so far. Though the anamorphically
enhanced 2.35 X 1 standard DVD image was passable, the 1080p digital High
Definition MPEG-2 @ 18 MBPS image offers improved Video Black, color, depth and
solid look that is much closer to the 35mm print and narrowly misses even being
more impressive. The clothes really
benefit, making the whole story and world all the more convincing in a way the
DVD just cannot pull off. There are
minor limits and some grain, but it is a fine presentation.
The DTS
HD 5.1 192/24 Master Audio is a noticeable improvement over the standard DVD’s Dolby
Digital 5.1 English mix, though that is not featured here. The DTS makes the music and sound effects
clearer, though dialogue is another matter.
Sometimes it makes the dialogue warmer and unfortunately shows recording
limits in others. Still, the combination
is a step up from the DVD and more of the kind of impressive playback you
expect from Blu-ray.
Most of
the extras from the DVD are here including a feature length audio commentary
with Director David Frankel, Producer Wendy Finerman and Costume Designer
Patricia Field, 15 Deleted Scenes with optional commentary, the original theatrical
trailer and a still-funny gag reel.
Since this is only a 25GB disc, Fox had to drop the four featurettes ("Trip to the Big Screen" "NYC and Fashion" "Fashion Visionary Patricia Field" &
"Getting Valentino") from
the DVD, but the performance of the film is so superior that I am willing to
sacrifice those for the upgrade. The Devil Wears Prada is one of the
best Blu-ray discs issued in the format so far.
- Nicholas Sheffo
