Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Disney’s "Sleeping Beauty" stands as a testament to the remarkable preservation and enhancement technology that has allowed this timeless classic to endure with visual excellence. The release showcases a 2.55:1 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode, repurposed from the 2008 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition, which, despite initial skepticism over the lack of new restorative efforts, continues to impress with its pristine quality. The film has undergone a meticulous clean-up process from its original nitrate negatives, a painstaking years-long endeavor that results in an image that is free from blemishes and dirt, showcasing exceptionally vibrant blacks and an overall contrast that retains a natural, film-like aesthetic.

Technicolor's brilliance is on full display with a palette that is both superior and in some instances greatly enhanced over previous versions. Nighttime scenes, along with sequences featuring the menacing Maleficent, reveal deeper and cleaner purples, reds, and blues thanks to the digital eradication of Technicolor misalignments, ensuring a uniform image throughout. The restoration also presents a notable improvement in detail and sharpness, bringing a three-dimensional quality to the visual presentation. The detailed shots, such as the textures of Aurora's clothing or the intricacies of the background plates, now pop with a clarity that was previously muddled or lost altogether. Although there are minor nitpicks such as slight print wavering in the opening minutes and occasional soft shots that seem more tied to the source's original condition than the transfer itself, these do not detract from the overall quality.

Even without substantial alterations or enhancements beyond its previous Blu-ray presentation, "Sleeping Beauty" remains a stunning visual experience. The robust, lush colors, along with the improved richness and stability, affirm the film's standing as a visual masterpiece. While details like negligible aliasing hint at imperfections, they are hardly noticeable and do not diminish the film’s beauty. The video presentation might bear similarities to its 2008 release, but it continues to be a gem for both new audiences and those revisiting this beloved classic, making it an essential addition to any collection.

The revamped audio presentation of "Sleeping Beauty" in its Diamond Edition Blu-ray, utilizing the original DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track from the 2008 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition BD, provides an exceptional auditory experience that remains unparalleled for classic film remasters. The meticulous restoration orchestrated by sound technicians like Randy Thornton and Terry Porter involves a deep dive back to the original score recordings in Germany. This painstaking process has eradicated any trace of hisses, pops, and unwanted noise artifacts. The resulting clean, seamless sound is mixed into an immersive 7.1 channel that elevates the viewing experience significantly. Tchaikovsky's score comes alive with an infectious beauty, and dialogue delivery is pristine, moving fluidly across the soundscape. The ambient and LFE effects are intelligently used, contributing to an enveloping atmosphere and emphasizing pivotal scenes with appropriate heft.

Disney's dedication to preserving and enhancing the audio quality is further evidenced by the deployment of newly-discovered 35mm 3-track recordings for the remaster. This not only enriches the film's sonic depth but also respects its original aesthetic. The 7.1 remix fills the rear soundstage amply, with discrete effects panning smoothly between channels, encapsulating viewers in the film's magical world. Despite the film's age, the clarity and range of the soundtrack boast a full-bodied dynamism, with tight, deep bass that complements without overwhelming. The musical score benefits from this upgrade, gaining an unexpected lushness that enhances its impact.

However, while almost every aspect of the audio restoration impresses, the dialogue sometimes presents a slight thinness in the higher range, detracting minutely from its natural quality. Nevertheless, this minor flaw does not overshadow the overall excellence of the audio remaster. Disney's efforts in offering both a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio track and retaining the film's original 4-channel stereophonic mix cater to both audiophiles and purists, ensuring that "Sleeping Beauty" sounds its best in modern home theaters while still honoring its historical roots.

The latest 1-disc Diamond Edition of Disney’s "Sleeping Beauty" offers a mix of nostalgia and mild disappointment for longtime fans. This release introduces several new extras, including three deleted scenes presented through storyboards and narrations that add depth to the classic narrative. While the additional content such as "The Art of Evil: Generations Of Disney Villains" and "Once Upon a Parade" shines a light on the legacy of Disney's villains and the enchantment of Disney parades, it falls short in compensating for the significant amount of bonus material omitted from the previous 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition. Notable absentees like the “Cine-Explore In-Movie Experience,” “Grand Canyon” short film, and extensive galleries showcasing Sleeping Beauty's art profoundly impact the comprehensive experience die-hard fans have come to expect. The stripped-down nature of this release, despite its attempt to introduce new elements, underscores a missed opportunity to celebrate "Sleeping Beauty’s" rich history and production intricacies in their entirety.

Extras included in this disc:

Deleted Scenes: Three new storyboard-based scenes enhancing the storyline.

The Art of Evil: Generations Of Disney Villains: A discussion centered around the memorable villains of Disney’s history.

DisneyAnimation: Artists in Motion: Follows an artist creating a paper sculpture of Maleficent.

Once Upon a Parade: Sarah Hyland narrates the history behind Disney World's Festival of Fantasy parade.

Beauty-Oke: Once Upon A Dream: A sing-along version for fans.

Audio Commentary: Insights from film historian Leonard Maltin, animator Andreas Deja, and John Lasseter.

The Sound Of Beauty: Restoring A Classic: Explores the sound restoration process for this edition.

Picture Perfect: The Making Of Sleeping Beauty: Recollections and analysis on the production.

Eyvind Earle: A Man And His Art: Dedicated to Sleeping Beauty’s art director and his contributions.

The Blu-ray release of "Sleeping Beauty" presents this timeless Disney classic in a spectacular light, especially if you're not in possession of the previously released 2008 Platinum Edition. As interpreted by various critiques, the movie has withstood the test of time not only due to its enchanting storyline but more so because of its groundbreaking advancements in artistic and technical execution during a pivotal era in cinema. Disney, faced with the challenge of television's rise, responded by pioneering the use of 70mm film technology, known as Technirama, and employing a stereophonic sound mix that employed Tchaikovsky's iconic ballet score to immerse audiences fully. The innovation didn’t stop at technological feats; this film marked the last in Disney’s golden age to have its animation cells inked entirely by hand, showcasing an unprecedented level of detail and opulence that still shines through today, even more impressively on the high-definition transfer.

Based loosely on Charles Perrault's tale, the narrative of "Sleeping Beauty" might seem simple—a fairy tale that carries the charm and simplicity expected of the genre. However, it’s the depth and vibrancy of its characters that lend the story its enduring appeal. The villainess Maleficent, particularly, stands out for her meticulously designed menace and complexity, consistently overshadowing the film’s more traditionally virtuous characters and illustrating Disney’s knack for crafting unforgettable antagonists. This contrast between the dark allure of Maleficent's dominion and the pastoral innocence of Aurora’s world is vividly captured through the Blu-ray's enhancement of the film’s original rich color palette and meticulous animation.

While "Sleeping Beauty" itself may tread lightly in terms of story complexity, its real triumphs lie in visual and auditory mastery—a testament to Disney's ambitious artistry during a transformative time for film. Through the advanced technological mediums of Technirama and six-track audio as well as its stylistic innovations, this release crystallizes an essential chapter in animation history. The hand-inked visuals, paired with a widescreen composition and three-strip Technicolor, immerse the viewer into a fairy tale world that is as menacing as it is mesmerizing. This Blu-ray edition reaffirms "Sleeping Beauty" not just as a tale of love’s triumph but as a landmark cinematic achievement whose influence is as indelible as Maleficent’s curse and as enduring as Aurora’s legacy.

The 2014 Diamond Edition of "Sleeping Beauty" brings a considerable AV fidelity that matches its 2008 Platinum Edition, providing audiences with a visually stunning experience akin to its predecessor. This edition comes with a modest update in terms of bonus content, introducing three deleted scenes that have never been seen before, alongside several new foreign language audio tracks. However, it's notable that this release sees a reduction in the number of extra features, with some being completely removed - a choice that may disappoint certain enthusiasts. Despite this, the film itself continues to shine in high definition, making it a compelling purchase for those who have not yet added "Sleeping Beauty" to their collection, provided that the extras—or the lack thereof—are not a deal-breaker.

For Disney aficionados and collectors who prize comprehensive bonus material, the slim selection of new extras offered by the Diamond Edition might not justify a purchase if they already own the 2008 Platinum Edition. The issue of diminished supplemental content aside, the core appeal of "Sleeping Beauty" in this latest release remains its audiovisual presentation. The inclusion of new language tracks does broaden its accessibility and appeal on an international stage, suggesting that this edition has its sights firmly set on reaching as wide an audience as possible.

In conclusion, the 2014 Diamond Edition of "Sleeping Beauty" maintains the splendid audiovisual quality of its predecessors, albeit with a reshuffling of bonus contents that might leave some collectors wanting. While it falls short of offering compelling reasons for those who already own the Platinum Edition to upgrade, it stands as a worthwhile acquisition for newcomers or those who prioritize movie presentation over supplemental material. Highly recommended for its high-definition rendition of the classic fairy tale, this edition secures its place as an essential part of a Disney enthusiast’s collection, provided they can overlook the slimmed-down array of extras.