Evita Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Evita" showcases the exceptional work of cinematographer Darius Khondji, known for his dedication to capturing rich, warm earth tones and intricate shadow details. The film, shot primarily on location in Buenos Aires and Budapest, achieves an authentic period look, amplified by Khondji's use of browns, greens, ochres, and rusts, with rare splashes of cooler tones for contrast. Disney's 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer presents a finely detailed, film-like image that remains true to Khondji's vision. The light, discernible grain pattern further enhances the filmic texture without interference from digital noise reduction or artificial sharpening.

The restoration is distinguished by its substantial improvement over previous DVD releases. The Blu-ray retains the organic quality of the original film, capturing the subtle variations in blacks and grays that depict Buenos Aires' nocturnal scenes effectively. Colors are richly saturated yet not overly bright, maintaining the period authenticity and emotional gravity of the narrative. Close-up shots convey a slight gauzy effect while preserving sharpness and clarity, allowing viewers to appreciate intricate details such as propaganda posters and interior decor. Shadow detail remains robust with minimal crushing and no noticeable noise, banding, or aliasing. This meticulous presentation ensures that "Evita" appears visually stunning and evocative, effectively recapturing its cinematic glory as experienced during its original theatrical release.

The "Evita" Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is a masterful presentation, capturing the essence of Lloyd Webber's iconic score with exceptional clarity and depth. Utilizing the discrete 5.1 format, the orchestra fills the room with a rich, full presence that envelops the viewer, offering a spacious and well-separated soundstage. Compared to the PCM 2.0 soundtrack, this upgrade introduces an impressive sense of depth and spaciousness. Though modern digital recording and mixing techniques could potentially enhance the track further, what is presented here is both robust and immersive. The bass extension from the orchestra provides appropriate depth without overpowering the other elements.

Vocal recordings are meticulously mixed, ensuring they remain a cohesive part of the on-screen action rather than detaching into their own separate audio space, which is often a pitfall in older musicals. Solo voices are consistently centered while choruses adeptly fill the front soundstage. Lyrics are generally intelligible; however, Banderas' accent occasionally blurs certain phrases, though this is a minor issue and subtitles are available for clarification. Sound effects are minimal and secondary to ensure the music remains the focal point, with no significant routing to rear channels that might distract from the primary audio experience.

Overall, the balance between vocals and instrumentals is skillfully managed; lyrics and music never compete for dominance, creating a harmonious audio experience free from distortion. This lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 track pays worthy homage to the legendary musical, making it a pleasure to listen to for both new audiences and long-time fans of "Evita."

The Blu-Ray extras for "Evita" offer a satisfactory, albeit unchanged, selection of features that originally appeared in previous releases. The highlight is an extensive making-of documentary, which provides in-depth coverage of the production process including interviews with director Alan Parker, Madonna, and other key cast and crew. The music video for "You Must Love Me" delivers a straightforward but elegant presentation of the film’s Oscar-winning song. The teaser trailer is also included but, unfortunately, omits the full-length trailer seen in some earlier editions. While the package successfully compiles legacy content, the absence of new material such as a retrospective documentary or audio commentary leaves room for enhancement.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Evita: An engrossing documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews from cast and crew.
• Music Video: You Must Love Me: A simple video featuring the iconic song.
• Teaser Trailer: Original preview of the film.
• Sneak Peeks: Promos for "The Odd Life of Timothy Green", "Castle", ABC on DVD and Blu-ray, anti-smoking PSA.

The 1996 film adaptation of "Evita," directed by Alan Parker and loosely credited to Oliver Stone for the screenplay, successfully captures a potent mix of theatricality and cinematic realism. The film, adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's celebrated musical, charts the rise of Eva Perón from poverty to power, presenting a vivid tableau set against Argentina's tumultuous political backdrop. Opening with her death in 1952, the narrative is driven by Che (Antonio Banderas), whose unrelenting cynicism serves as a counterpoint to Eva’s ambition. The musical numbers intricately weave through stunning locations, backdropped by thousands of extras, seamlessly translating the stage-bound spectacles created by Hal Prince for the theater into visually engaging film scenes.

Madonna’s portrayal of Eva Perón has been noted for its resonance with her own trajectory in the music industry, mirroring Eva’s relentless climb through society's ranks. While her screen presence and acting were commendable, capturing Eva's early vivaciousness and later gravitas, some critics point out her vocals lacked the dynamism and intensity hallmark to Patti LuPone’s Broadway interpretation. Nevertheless, Madonna’s nuanced approach to the technically demanding score brought a unique, albeit muted, quality to the role. Antonio Banderas’ gritty Che complements Madonna well, providing a realistic edge that amplifies the movie’s dramatic tension. Jonathan Pryce’s portrayal of Juan Perón offers a stabilizing influence, enabling more depth in the interpersonal dynamics involving Eva.

Despite some structural changes and the introduction of new songs like "You Must Love Me," the film largely stays faithful to its source material. The final act, however, does encounter pacing issues as it meanders through Eva’s dwindling days, but Parker's adept direction ensures a largely engaging experience. This meticulous adaptation captures the socio-political climate of the Perón era, although it falls short of the electrifying fervor found in other film musicals like "Chicago" or "Dreamgirls." Overall, "Evita" continues to be a landmark in musical adaptations, both honoring its stage origins while standing as a cinematic achievement in its own right.

Alan Parker’s "Evita," though not without flaws, remains a compelling cinematic interpretation of one of musical theater's most enduring works. The film offers a focused portrayal of Eva Perón, skillfully bypassing the usual pitfalls of full-scale biopics while providing insight into her persona and motivations. The adaptation is bolstered by the formidable score of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and Madonna delivers an impressive performance, displaying vocal prowess and emotional depth. Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Pryce provide strong supporting roles that help elevate the narrative.

The 15th Anniversary Blu-ray edition is a significant upgrade from previous releases. Visuals are presented with an impressive clarity that enhances the richness and vibrancy of the period settings. The high-definition audio ensures that every note of the renowned score resonates with precision, capturing the grandeur of the musical arrangement. However, while the primary audiovisual elements are of high quality, the release is somewhat lacking in supplementary features which could have deepened the viewer’s engagement with the film’s historical and production aspects.

Evita reveals something new every time I watch it. On this viewing, I was struck by how Eva's early death transformed her love affair with fame into a tragic yet iconic story akin to Romeo and Juliet. Parker’s film wonderfully captures this ironic twist, subtly presenting fame as a fleeting but immortalizing force for Eva Perón. The Blu-ray format serves as an excellent medium to showcase this layered narrative and visual splendor. Highly recommended for fans of musical cinema and historical dramas alike.