Tales from Earthsea Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Tales from Earthsea impresses with an outstanding video presentation, encapsulating the essence of traditional animation in high definition through a stellar 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode. The colors are vibrant and diverse, showcasing beautiful watercolor hues, stirring primaries, and satisfying black levels. The contrast and clarity are consistently sharp, rendering crisp line art and well-preserved painted background textures that faithfully present every nuance of the animators' craftsmanship. The grain field is unobtrusive, preserving the film’s organic look without introducing any noticeable distractions. No artifacting, banding, aliasing, ringing, errant noise, or print specks detract from the visual experience.

The animation is fluid and sophisticated, benefiting immensely from the high-quality video transfer. Long shots, such as a dynamic sequence featuring a villain riding his horse through a field, exhibit motion as smooth as live-action films. The imagery remains crystal clear, devoid of any specks, grime, or aging flaws. Lines are precisely defined without any jagged edges. Colors span a broad spectrum, contributing to visually arresting scenes such as Therru’s seaside song at sunset. These scenes could easily serve as demo reel footage to highlight the flawless perfection of this Blu-ray disc. Tales from Earthsea on Blu-ray not only preserves but elevates the beauty of traditional animation, making it a must-see for enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray release of "Tales from Earthsea" boasts stellar audio quality, presenting both English and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 surround tracks. These tracks are remarkably clear, emphasizing perfectly prioritized dialogue and immersive soundfields. The robust, seven-channel support enhances Tamiya Terashima's sweeping score, allowing it to enrich the cinematic experience significantly. With bold and assertive low-end outputs, the soundtrack powerfully accentuates strong winds, crashing waves, and other dynamic elements in the soundscape. Rear speaker activity is consistently engaging, primarily through music, ambience, and atmospheric effects. Notably, subtle sound details like crickets, rustling grass, soft footfalls, and rising wind create a realistic and captivating environment that envelops viewers from scene to scene.

The English and Japanese audio tracks on this Blu-ray are near perfection. The numerous layers of sound effects contribute to a dynamic and highly engaging auditory experience. The crispness of dialogue, coupled with its well-prioritized mix—though slightly favoring a higher level—ensures clarity throughout. The soundtrack's LFE is applied sparingly yet effectively, delivering powerful bass during stormy ocean scenes or magical spells. Tamiya Terashima's score shines brightly, flawlessly integrated into the mix to heighten both the dramatic and serene moments of the film. Overall, "Tales from Earthsea" on Blu-ray delivers a richly satisfying audio experience that complements its visual excellence.

The extras on the "Tales from Earthsea" Blu-ray provide a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the film’s creation, featuring an array of engaging and insightful content. The Original Japanese Storyboards offer a complete storyboard version of the film, presented in 1.85:1 format, which includes the original Japanese audio track with English subtitles. The Behind the Studio: Origins of Earthsea is a succinct yet insightful 4-minute featurette that briefly explores the genesis and adaptation process of the source material. The standout is the Birth Story of a Film Soundtrack, a detailed 60-minute documentary chronicling the composition and development of the film's score by Tamiya Terashima, showcasing candid behind-the-scenes interactions and extensive interviews that delve deeply into the creative challenges faced. Additionally, the disc includes Original Japanese Trailers and TV Spots, featuring three TV spots and three full-length theatrical trailers in HD.

Extras included in this disc:

• Original Japanese Storyboards: Complete storyboard version of the film with Japanese audio and English subtitles.
• Behind the Studio: Origins of Earthsea: Brief exploration of the film's development and adaptation process.
• The Birth Story of a Film Soundtrack: Comprehensive documentary on the creation of the film's score by Tamiya Terashima.
• Original Japanese Trailers & TV Spots: Collection of original TV spots and theatrical trailers.

"Tales from Earthsea," directed by Goro Miyazaki and based on Ursula K. Le Guin's beloved fantasy series, unfolds in a land where magic and chaos intertwine amid threats of imbalance and dragon conflicts. The narrative follows young prince Arren, who, after committing patricide, encounters the wise wizard Sparrowhawk. Together, they embark on a journey of redemption, attempting to restore balance in their tumultuous world. While the story's fundamental elements and moral underpinnings are sound and the hand-drawn visuals deliver glimpses of Ghibli's trademark beauty, the pacing issues and somewhat disjointed storytelling underscore the director's inexperience, making it less compelling than other Studio Ghibli classics.

The film enjoys mixed reception; its mature themes, slow pace, and sporadic violence, including graphic scenes of murder and dismemberment, render it unsuitable for younger audiences. Nonetheless, for viewers willing to immerse themselves in its complex storylines and character-driven drama, "Tales from Earthsea" offers an animation that could easily translate into a live-action narrative. Unfortunately, the adaptation struggles with maintaining the fluidity and enchantment typically associated with Ghibli films. The magic, mythology, and character arcs often feel undercooked and unfocused, pointing to a directorial learning curve.

Despite its flaws, "Tales from Earthsea" is an honest and sincere effort from Goro Miyazaki. His subsequent work in "From Up on Poppy Hill" showed significant improvements, suggesting potential growth in his filmmaking journey. With continued mentorship and experience, there is hope that future Ghibli projects under Goro’s direction might rise to the esteemed levels set by his father's legacy. This Blu-ray edition offers an optimal viewing experience, preserving the intricate details of the animation through pristine transfer quality. For those invested in the evolving trajectory of Studio Ghibli and the Miyazaki family, it remains a noteworthy addition to their collection.

While "Tales from Earthsea" aimed to encapsulate a rich fantasy world, it remains a contentious entry in the Studio Ghibli lineup. Directed by Gorō Miyazaki, the film grapples with translating Ursula K. Le Guin's fantasy narrative into cinematic form. While the storyline and character development fall short of the studio's hallmark depth and creativity, certain elements of visual and audio craftsmanship are undeniably superb. The Blu-ray release distinguishes itself with an outstanding video encode and exceptional lossless 6.1 audio tracks, capturing every detail of the film’s intricate animation and score.

Critical reviews point out that "Tales from Earthsea" lacks a compelling narrative drive and engaging philosophical depth, aspects that are typically synonymous with Studio Ghibli's oeuvre. However, this release should not be dismissed outright. Despite its narrative flaws, the presentation on Blu-ray is remarkable. The included special features add value, particularly the feature-length storyboard presentation and an in-depth hour-long documentary examining the development of the film’s score. These enhance the viewer's understanding of the production process and offer insights into the film's creative aspects.

In conclusion, "Tales from Earthsea" may not be Studio Ghibli's finest work, but it possesses unique elements that make it worth exploring for dedicated fans. The superior technical quality of Disney’s Blu-ray release—highlighted by its impeccable video and audio performance—combined with substantial special features, ensures this edition is a valuable addition to any Ghibli collection.