Sleeping Beauty Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Sleeping Beauty" presents the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, featuring a 1080p high-definition video transfer that maintains a professional level of quality and authenticity. The detail is impeccable, extending from meticulously rendered close-ups to expansive panoramic shots. The cinematography, characterized by its slow pace, is represented accurately. The color palette leans toward muted, autumnal tones, which align with the thematic overtones of the film, though more vibrant colors are noticeably absent. Black levels are robust, providing decent shadow detail without succumbing to digital defects such as edge enhancement or DNR overprocessing.

Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC, this Blu-ray transfer excels with excellent clarity and stable contrast levels. Color reproduction is convincing, presenting a diverse range of natural tones including rich yellows, greens, blues, browns, greys, and blacks. The film retains an organic look throughout, free from any serious transfer-related anomalies like aliasing or banding. While certain sequences shot under restricted natural light appear slightly softer, they nonetheless fit into the film's overall aesthetic without causing significant distraction. Additionally, the video presentation avoids issues such as background flicker or loss of sharpness when projected digitally.

Overall, the Blu-ray video presentation of "Sleeping Beauty" succeeds in rendering the film with fidelity and precision, meeting the expectations for a high-definition transfer of this caliber. The technical aspects ensure a viewing experience that is both detailed and immersive.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray of "Sleeping Beauty" features two primary tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. However, it is worth noting that Revolver Entertainment has not included optional English subtitles for the main feature. The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track performs admirably considering the source material, offering clear and crisp dialogue with no detectable audio distortions, sync issues, or dropouts. The frontal and center speakers handle the dialogue impeccably, ensuring it is never overshadowed by other elements in the mix. This high level of clarity even extends to the faintest sounds and noises, making the experience virtually flawless for a predominantly dialog-driven feature.

Despite its technical proficiency, the 5.1 track does have limitations rooted in the material itself. The surround channels see limited use relegated to subtle ambient effects, resulting in a somewhat restrained spatial experience. Ambient noises in settings like clubs and bars are accurately rendered but overall sparse, creating an unnaturally quiet soundscape in many scenes. The score is notably subdued, which serves to enhance the film's atmospheric intent but diminishes sonic dynamics. Low-frequency effects (LFE) are almost non-existent except for a few heightened atmospheric moments and bar scenes. While the track is solid, it lacks the dynamism necessary to be regarded as demo quality.

The Blu-ray extras for "Sleeping Beauty" offer limited but insightful content, highlighted by a 13-minute collection of cast and crew interviews. Writer/director Julia Leigh discusses her inspirations, shooting style, and the thematic undertones she aimed to capture, while actress Emily Browning elaborates on her character development process and her preparation involving films with strong female leads. Cinematographer Geoffrey Simpson also shares his technical perspectives. Users should note that the supplementary materials are encoded in PAL, necessitating a PAL-to-NTSC converting player for North American viewers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original theatrical trailer for "Sleeping Beauty".
• Interviews: Discussions with director Julia Leigh, cinematographer Geoffrey Simpson, and actress Emily Browning about the film's production, characters, and thematic elements.

Julia Leigh’s "Sleeping Beauty" is a provocative directorial debut that intertwines sensual tension with cold, stark purity. The film’s narrative follows a stunningly beautiful student, Lucy (Emily Browning), who engages in a high-paying, unconventional job, which involves serving affluent clients in handpicked lingerie and participating in eerie, sleep-induced encounters. Meticulously examined and underscored by an unsettlingly detached elegance portrayed by characters such as the mysterious employer (Rachael Blake), the film dips its toes into a chilling, enigmatic underworld. Leigh’s creation is rife with the juxtaposition of innocence and determination, all enveloped in Brisseau-like atmospherics that balance sensuality and disturbingly offensive coldness.

Technically, the Blu-ray released by Revolver Entertainment impresses with decent video presentation and solid audio representation, although it is somewhat sparse on extras, offering only theatrical trailers and cast interviews. This minimalist approach to supplemental content mirrors the film’s own ambiguity and opaque storytelling. Despite Browning's commendable performance and the innovative cinematography paired with an underplayed atmospheric score, the film struggles to convey a meaningful narrative. While it suggests themes of sexual disassociation and existential exploration, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, often coming across as pretentious and directionless.

For those intrigued by the premise of "Sleeping Beauty," a rental may be advisable before committing to a purchase. Fans of the film will find this Blu-ray release to be a faithful adaptation that honors Leigh’s artistic vision, albeit with the caution that it may not appeal to all audiences.

The Blu-ray release of "Sleeping Beauty" offers an exceptional viewing experience, highlighted by its stunning visual presentation and immersive audio quality. The 1080p transfer retains the film's refined aesthetic, capturing both the delicate nuances and the dark, bold contrasts integral to its storytelling. Colors are meticulously rendered, with a notable emphasis on the beautiful color palette that enhances the ethereal and haunting atmosphere of the narrative. Black levels are deep and consistent, ensuring that shadow details are preserved, contributing significantly to the film's mysterious and hypnotic tone.

In terms of audio, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provides a rich and enveloping soundscape. Dialogue is crisp and clear, effortlessly blending with the ambient sound elements and musical score. The surround channels are utilized effectively to create a sense of space and immersion, drawing viewers deeper into the film’s unique world. Subtle audio nuances are captured with precision, further enhancing the film’s provocative and contemplative nature.

I thoroughly enjoyed Julia Leigh's "Sleeping Beauty." It is a bold, elegant, and at times hypnotic film that will likely disappoint as many people as it will impress because it does not play by the rules and certainly does not follow conventional genre narrative paths. If you like experimenting and enjoy seeing provocative contemporary films, this is a film you do not want to miss. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.