Tomorrowland Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray transfer of "Tomorrowland" is exemplary, showcasing glossy high-definition video quality that sets a benchmark for the format. Shot digitally on Sony CineAlta cameras, the 1080p transfer preserves the intended 2.20:1 aspect ratio, ensuring the original cinematic vision remains intact. The clarity of this digital source photography is astonishing, offering an impressive amount of detail that captures lifelike textures and intricate elements, whether in close-ups or wider shots. This level of detail is particularly striking in scenes featuring complex environments, such as dense grassy fields or the futuristic cityscapes. Every wrinkle on George Clooney’s face and each freckle on Raffey Cassidy are discernible, showcasing the razor-sharpness of the image.

The color palette of this transfer is both diverse and accurate, handling a wide range of hues from punchy primaries to subtle secondary shades. Future-world cool tones, warm shades from the 1960s, and neutral modern-day colors are all rendered with impeccable precision. Black levels are equally impressive, providing inky, deep contrasts that bring out fine details even in darker scenes without any loss in quality—no visible crushing or banding. The contrast is bold yet balanced, enhancing both bright and dark elements without overstatement. Fleshtones appear natural and are influenced accurately by the varying lighting schemes throughout different scenes.

Depth and dimension are consistently excellent, with smooth and cinematic movements that draw viewers further into the film's fantastical world. Minor aliasing only appears during the animated end credits, but there are no instances of macroblocking, banding, or other visual artifacts to detract from the experience. This presentation is clean, polished, and technically proficient, solidifying "Tomorrowland" as a reference-quality Blu-ray that demonstrates the capabilities of the format at its finest.

The DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio soundtrack for "Tomorrowland" is an outstanding technical achievement that showcases Disney's audio prowess. This track offers a meticulously articulated and commanding presentation that immerses the listener in a dynamic, three-dimensional soundstage. The audio design is not overly aggressive but effectively uses powerful dynamics and deep bass transients to underscore the action with impressive aplomb. The directional precision in effects, such as jet packs and future gunfire, practically dissolves the speakers' presence, placing the listener squarely within the cinematic experience. The balance of dialogue, ambient effects, and Michael Giacchino’s score is exemplary throughout, ensuring clear and engaging audio delivery.

The 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track ensures that every aspect of the film’s sound is captivating and immersive. The surround mix is consistently active and precise, with seamless panning and outstanding LFE effects. Each rocket blast, laser, and explosion reverberates significantly, maintaining a substantial yet controlled subwoofer activity. Additionally, ambient sounds such as pedestrian chatter and natural elements are astutely positioned, enhancing the environmental authenticity. Dialogue reproduction is exceptionally clear and lifelike, naturally integrated into the mix without overshadowing other elements.

In addition to the English 7.1 track, the disc includes English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, as well as French, Spanish, and Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital tracks, with corresponding subtitles. This comprehensive audio array ensures accessibility for a broad audience. Overall, the audio presentation of "Tomorrowland" on Blu-ray epitomizes a reference-quality experience that will undoubtedly delight audiophiles and casual viewers alike. Disney has delivered an audio mix that not only complements but elevates the visual grandeur of the film, making it a must-have for any home theater enthusiast.

The extras on the "Tomorrowland" Blu-ray disc are plentiful and insightful, providing a deeper look into the film's creation and thematic significance. The standout featurettes include Brad Bird’s personal reflections on the inspirations behind "Tomorrowland," the casting process, and Michael Giacchino’s memorable scoring sessions, which provide invaluable behind-the-scenes insights. The World of Tomorrow Science Hour and The Origins of Plus Ultra serve to enhance the narrative universe of the film with engaging and creative content. Included also are two short but rich production diaries by Bird, exploring key filming locations, and a faux commercial that adds a touch of humor. Six deleted scenes introduced by the filmmakers offer additional context and extended storylines.

Extras included in this disc:

• Remembering the Future: A Personal Journey Through Tomorrowland with Brad Bird: Brad Bird reflects on the film's inspirations and its links to Disney's vision.
• Casting Tomorrowland: Behind-the-scenes look at selecting the cast and their character portrayals.
• A Great Big Beautiful Scoring Session: Insight into the film's musical composition with Michael Giacchino.
• The World of Tomorrow Science Hour - Hosted By Futurologist David Nix: Outtakes from a 1965 educational program.
• Animated Short: The Origins of Plus Ultra: A vintage-style short explaining an organization within the film.
• Brad Bird Production Diaries: Two segments focusing on the first day on set and filming at NASA.
• Blast From the Past Commercial: A mock ad related to a store in the movie.
• Deleted Scenes with Filmmaker Introductions: Six scenes providing extended content and context.

Blu-Ray Movie Review: Tomorrowland

"Tomorrowland" presents a visually stunning world infused with Disney's trademark sense of wonder. However, the narrative struggles to match this visual grandeur, often resulting in a disjointed and uneven experience. The film opens on a high note with young Frank Walker's (Thomas Robinson) optimistic journey to 1964’s World’s Fair, where he encounters the enigmatic Athena (Raffey Cassidy) and a rather indifferent Dr. David Nix (Hugh Laurie). The transition to present day is marred by inconsistent pacing, as the story shifts focus to Casey Newton (Britt Robertson), whose determined efforts to save NASA's last launch pad introduces her to Tomorrowland via a mysterious pin.

While director Brad Bird creates several engaging action sequences and intriguing mysteries in the first half, the second act becomes bogged down in unclear storytelling and sluggish pacing. The initial sense of adventure is overshadowed by the underdeveloped middle stretch, leaving viewers grappling with a lack of cohesive narrative momentum. Despite the film's attempts to delve into thought-provoking themes regarding the future and mankind's potential, these ideas are introduced too late to resonate deeply.

"Tomorrowland" ultimately excels in its audiovisual presentation. The combination of retro-futuristic design with modern digital precision is breathtaking. However, the movie’s propensity for spectacle over substantive character development and narrative depth results in an experience that feels more like a series of beautiful, albeit disconnected, visuals than a cohesive, inspiring tale. While it commendably carries a positive message targeted at younger audiences, the juxtaposition of aspirational themes with frequent action scenes may undermine its intended impact. Despite its flaws, "Tomorrowland" manages to maintain intrigue and offers glimpses of what could have been an exceptional film.

"Tomorrowland," directed by Brad Bird, is a visually stunning film marred by narrative shortcomings. The movie excels in delivering a spectacular visual experience that showcases Bird's seasoned direction and a compelling first half. However, it falters with a sluggish middle section and an unsatisfying third act, weighed down by underdeveloped characters and a meandering plot. While its high ambitions are commendable, the film ultimately feels like an incomplete endeavor that fails to fully engage its audience.

Disney's Blu-ray release of "Tomorrowland" shines in technical aspects, featuring top-tier 1080p video and rich 7.1 lossless audio. The visuals are rendered with exceptional clarity and richness, capturing the intricate details of the film's imaginative set design. The sound quality immerses viewers, enhancing the overall cinematic experience significantly. While the supplementary features fall within an average range, they nonetheless offer some additional insight into the film's production.

In conclusion, "Tomorrowland" is an ambitious project that delivers partially on its visual and artistic promises but stumbles narratively. It's worth a watch for its engaging visuals and Brad Bird's directorial prowess but comes with tempered expectations regarding storytelling. The Blu-ray release is highly recommended for its exceptional technical presentation, making it a worthwhile addition for fans and collectors despite the film's intrinsic flaws.