Abominable Blu-ray Review

The 1080p Blu-ray presentation of “Abominable” delivers near reference quality visuals for a digitally animated film. The color palette is beautifully diverse, ranging from vibrant blues, greens, and reds to earthy browns and silky whites, vividly depicting the richly green forests and the rusty browns of the Chinese deserts. Fine detailing is exceptional, particularly on Everest’s fur and the nuanced textures of Yi’s outfits. Although there's a minor color banding issue within the first five minutes, the overall image quality remains admirable with vivid colors and superb detail.

Character models in “Abominable” are sharp, precise, and look incredibly realistic. The yeti Everest stands out with his seamlessly complex fur and lifelike movement. The visual experience is enhanced by mesmerizing textures and high contrast balance, ensuring that bright scenes and dark levels are well rendered without any detail loss. While the Blu-ray shines with crisp imagery, those equipped with a 4K setup may prefer the UHD version for its enhanced depth and incremental visual superiority.

Overall, the film’s Blu-ray visuals are bright, bold, and vivid. Colors maintain high intensity brilliance, and dynamic black levels provide a solid contrast without blooming issues. While the UHD offers slightly more satisfying true blacks, the 1080p Blu-ray holds its own with excellent image depth and striking detail, making it a highly recommendable presentation for those not set up for 4K.

The Dolby Atmos mix for "Abominable" on both the Blu-ray and 4K UHD discs is a commendable effort that succeeds in creating an engaging audio experience despite some minor limitations. The track offers impressive channel separation and an enveloping sound field, particularly effective in action scenes where helicopters and street-level chaos are vividly brought to life. The opening sequence immediately immerses viewers with sounds of guards yelling, sirens blaring, and helicopters pursuing overhead, establishing a dynamic atmosphere right from the start. However, while the mix is active and enjoyable, the utilization of overhead channels and the bass response does not fully exploit the potential of Atmos.

Notably, Chapter 14’s yak stampede highlights the mix's capacity for intensity, though even at reference or increased volumes, there seems to be a lack of pronounced low-end thunder that some effects demand. When it comes to quieter moments, such as Yi, Everest, and Peng resting under the stars, the track demonstrates its ability to maintain natural clarity and provide subtle yet detailed ambient effects. Music throughout the film is fluid and richly detailed, with a broad front end and sufficient surround and overhead support to create a full-bodied aural experience. Dialogue remains clear and front-centered, ensuring it stands out without sacrificing immersion. Overall, while "Abominable’s" Dolby Atmos mix may not maximize every dimension of its capabilities, it delivers an engaging and lively listening experience that effectively supports the film’s visual storytelling.

The Blu-ray release of "Abominable" includes a comprehensive suite of extras that enhance the viewing experience. These supplementary materials range from entertaining short films and insightful featurettes to detailed behind-the-scenes content. It includes an embossed slipcover and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code. Short films like "Marooned" and "Show & Tell" provide charming narratives tied to the main feature, while the "Making a Myth" and "Animating Abominable" featurettes give a glimpse into the creative process behind this animated film. Audio commentary offers a wealth of insights from key crew members, perfect for those keen on movie production details. Deleted scenes come with introductions, providing context from the creators, rounding out a well-curated set of additional materials for both casual viewers and animation enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• DreamWorks Short - Marooned: A robot on an abandoned lunar base.
• Show & Tell: A Yeti-centric animation tied to the film.
• Deleted Scenes: With intros by filmmakers.
• Making a Myth: Discusses story influences and character qualities.
• Animating Abominable: Focus on authentic Chinese locations.
• Meet the Cast: Interviews with key cast members.
• Your Yeti Care Guide: Tips for caring for household animals.
• Courage to Dream: Yi as a relatable role model.
• An Abominable Tour with Chloe Bennet: Set pieces tour by the voice actress.
• Everest's Talk Box: Imaginary vocalizations and voice work.
• Cooking with Nai Nai: Pork bun preparation.
• How to...Abominable: Drawing characters and making a Chinese lantern.
• You Can Speak Yeti-Ese: Communicating in Yeti-Ese.
• Nai Nai Says: Life advice from the grandmotherly character.
• Audio Commentary: Insights from directors, producers, and visual effects supervisors.

Dreamworks' "Abominable" showcases the studio's commitment to high-quality animation but falls short of reaching the heights of its more heralded works like "Shrek" or "How to Train Your Dragon." The film features beautifully animated and exotic Eastern locations, as well as a charming narrative centered on a teenager named Yi, voiced by Chloe Bennet. Yi, coping with her father’s recent death, stumbles upon a wounded yeti, nicknamed Everest. The story follows Yi's quest to return Everest to his home at Mount Everest, aided by friends Peng (Albert Tsai) and Jin (Tenzing Norgay Trainor), while being pursued by the antagonistic Mr. Burnish (Eddie Izzard) and Dr. Zara (Sarah Paulson).

Despite its breathtaking animation and heartfelt moments, "Abominable" struggles with a predictable storyline. Directors Jill Culton and Todd Wilderman attempt to balance grand narrative scope and intimate character development but don't quite manage to elevate the film to greatness. While the visuals and the lovable characters lend the film a sweet charm, the plot adheres too closely to familiar genre rhythms, leading to a sense of predictability. The characters' journey is emotionally engaging, bolstered by commendable voice acting and impressive environmental realism, yet the film ultimately delivers a mid-tier narrative within a top-tier construction.

"Abominable" tries to capture the magic of Pixar but doesn’t achieve the same level of depth or innovation. It’s an enjoyable film with a captivating visual style and relatable emotional undertones, particularly through Yi’s story of grief and growth. However, it lacks the fresh inspiration needed to stand out in a competitive animated movie landscape. Though solid and entertaining, "Abominable" is a missed opportunity that doesn’t fully harness its potential, offering a visually stunning yet narratively conventional cinematic experience.

"Abominable" is a charming and relatable animated adventure that's sure to delight audiences of all ages. Despite being released amidst more prominent titles from studios like Pixar and Disney, this film manages to carve out its own niche with a heartfelt story and endearing characters. The 4K UHD disc offers a visually stunning experience with strong animation and impressive color accuracy. Audio performance is equally commendable, featuring an active Dolby Atmos mix that enhances the film's engaging score and sound effects.

Technical specifications present "Abominable" with a 1.85:1 AVC aspect ratio and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core audio, catering to both casual viewers and dedicated home theater enthusiasts. The Blu-ray includes solid bonus features, among which the audio commentary stands out, offering insightful details about the filmmaking process. Universal’s release also includes subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish, making it accessible to a broader audience.

In conclusion, while "Abominable" may not tread new ground in storytelling, it stands out with its visual splendor and heartfelt narrative. Its Blu-ray release is technically proficient, delivering exceptional video, quality audio, and a well-curated assortment of extras. For families and animated film fans, this is a delightful addition to your collection. Highly recommended.