Pride & Prejudice (2005/HD-DVD)

 

Picture: B     Sound: B     Extras: C+     Film: C+

 

 

Could it be?  Is the Jane Austen cycle finally over?  Never soon enough, but Joe Wright’s celebrated version of Pride & Prejudice (2005) is not as discussed as you might think for all the hype it received during its original release and star Keira Knightley has hung in there, though her star still has not taken off as expected, but there is time.  However, this film is just not so great that anyone is going to be considering it any kind of classic soon.

 

We previously reviewed the DVD version, which tells you about the film and extras, at this link:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3443/Pride+&+Prejudice+(2005)

 

 

The 1080p 2.35 X 1 VC-1 digital High Definition image here is apparently from the same master that produced such a lame DVD and though this looks better than expected based on that awful disc, there are the problems with some color limitations, detail issues and depth that does not always look natural.  The Focus DVDs from Universal were getting a bad rap and for good reason.  This is passable and enough of an improvement from the DVD to make fans happy.

 

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix is better than the standard Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, but the gap is not as dramatic, as this is a sound mix with only so much to offer, though dialogue is cleanly recorded overall.  This just sounds better and combined with the picture, surpasses the disappointing DVD with ease.  Too bad it is not as good as it should be for a new title on HD-DVD.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo