A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish Blu-ray Review

Presented in its original 1.78:1 aspect ratio at 1080p resolution, "A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish" boasts a vibrant and festive video presentation that holds true to its genre. The film benefits from a clean and perky high-definition aesthetic, which is typical of modern holiday movies. Colors are vividly saturated, particularly the bright reds and greens that define the festive season, providing a visually immersive experience. The color grading is remarkably neutral, making costumes and backdrops visually pop without falling into the overused blue/gray/yellow tint that plagues many contemporary releases. This neutrality in color improves the overall viewing experience by enhancing skin tones and maintaining balanced contrasts.

In terms of image detail, while it may not achieve razor-sharp fidelity due to some stylistic choices, it remains consistently pleasing throughout. Close-ups reveal intricate details like the pores on characters' faces and the delicate textures of costumes, culminating in a display that's both pristine and glossy. Although there's a slight gauzy quality that gives some scenes a dreamlike appearance—possibly an intentional artistic decision—this mild softness doesn't detract from the overall clarity. The lack of depth in certain scenes may make them appear somewhat stage-like, but this is minimally distracting thanks to the film’s strong visual appeal.

Warner Bros.' AVC encode on the Blu-ray disc performs exceptionally well, showcasing the digital intermediate’s pristine quality without evident compression artifacts, banding, or other digital imperfections. This flawless encoding allows the film's vividly colorful and bright transfer to shine, bringing out the best in its eye-catching holiday-themed visuals. Despite a few outdoor scenes displaying mild softness, the crispness and cleanliness of the imagery remain nearly impeccable, resulting in a thoroughly satisfying video presentation.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA track for "A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish" delivers a peppy and dynamic audio experience. Dialogues are crystal clear and well-defined, ensuring that the viewer catches every line without interference. The audio track is largely front-loaded, yet it manages to utilize surround channels effectively, especially during bustling scenes downtown and the dynamic Gala sequences. The musical numbers, which are integral to the film, flow seamlessly through all six channels and provide almost the entirety of the LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) response, giving a robust and lively feel to the songs.

While the mix isn't overly aggressive in its use of the surrounds, it does offer adequate panning effects and background activity, enhancing the festive ambiance. The auto-tuned pop music is balanced well against dialogue and ambient sounds, contributing to a punchy atmosphere without feeling overcooked. The dynamic range is commendably broad during the numerous song-and-dance interludes, ensuring a lively auditory experience. The quality of the recorded songs is notable, crisp, and studio-enhanced for clarity and sweetness.

Optional subtitles in English (SDH), French, and Spanish (Latino) are provided, with dubs available in French and Spanish presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital. Overall, this DTS-HD MA audio mix is effective and clean, showcasing song-driven sequences beautifully while maintaining clear and balanced dialogue throughout.

The extras section of the Blu-ray release for "A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish" offers substantial behind-the-scenes content that enriches the viewing experience. The featurettes explore the music, choreography, and intricate design elements that contribute to the movie's festive atmosphere. "The Looks and Costumes of Christmas Wish" provides insights from the costume designer and key cast members on the whimsical and colorful production design. "The Mic and the Stage" delves into the musical aspects, showcasing dance rehearsals and highlighting the efforts behind the film's auto-tuned pop songs, featuring candid moments with lead actors Laura Marano and Gregg Sulkin. Additionally, the disc includes digital copies and trailers for other films, enhancing its overall package.

Extras included in this disc:

The Looks and Costumes of Christmas Wish: Costume designer Valerie Halverson and key cast members discuss production design and outfits.

The Mic and the Stage: Overview of the film’s music, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Laura Marano and Gregg Sulkin.

"A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish," the fourth installment in the "A Cinderella Story" franchise, continues to revisit the familiar tale with a seasonal twist. The plot centers on Kat Decker (Laura Marano), an aspiring singer dealing with the tyranny of her stepmother, Deirdre (Johannah Newmarch), and her two stepsisters. Kat's fortunes seem to change when she meets Dominic Wintergarden (Gregg Sulkin) while working at a Santa Land attraction. Despite hiding her identity behind elf ears, she connects with Dominic, who turns out to be the affluent son of Terence Wintergarden (Barclay Hope). The narrative unfolds as Kat attempts to attend the Wintergarden Christmas Gala, facing opposition from her devious stepfamily.

The film struggles with predictability and shallow character development, elements that stilt its potential. While it's crafted for a younger audience, primarily pre-teens and teenagers, it lacks the innovation required to stand out from its predecessors. The storyline mirrors previous entries almost beat for beat, only swapping traditional settings for holiday cheer. This repetition dilutes any novelty, making it feel like a rote, bubblegum pop affair complete with auto-tuned musical numbers.

On a positive note, the choreography and performances provide some respite. Laura Marano and Gregg Sulkin share amiable chemistry, essential for any teen romance. Marano’s musical talents are utilized effectively, and the dance sequences, owing to Michelle Johnston's background in choreography, bring life to several scenes. However, despite these strengths, "A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish" is a lightweight holiday vehicle that will likely appeal solely to its target demographic, leaving older viewers and franchise veterans yearning for the originality and charm of the 2004 Hilary Duff film.

"A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish" attempts to deliver a fresh holiday twist on the classic Cinderella narrative but ultimately fails to rise above its predecessors. Directed and written by Michelle Johnston, this film falls short in terms of originality and engagement. The storyline is flat and predictable, catering mainly to a very narrow tween audience with its clichéd dialogue and over-the-top acting. However, Warner Brothers' Blu-ray release provides strong technical merits; the video quality is presented in a crisp 1.78:1 AVC aspect ratio, and the audio is robust, featuring English DTS-HD MA 5.1 along with French and Spanish DD 5.1 options.

Despite the lackluster plot, the film does feature some vibrant song-and-dance numbers that offer brief moments of entertainment. Starring Laura Marano and Gregg Sulkin, the cast does a commendable job given the limited material. The Blu-ray release includes two light, inconsequential featurettes that add little to the overall experience. Subtitles are available in English SDH and French, which may appeal to a broader audience, but these technical advantages do little to elevate the film from its mediocrity.

At the end of the day, it's important to recognize that this film is directed at a tween audience who might find more enjoyment in its simplistic charm. However, for most viewers, "A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish" delivers tired tropes and uninspired humor with a scant sprinkling of Christmas spirit. Warner Brothers' Blu-ray may look and sound great, but with such sparse extra content and a dull main feature, it's hard to recommend this title to anyone beyond its target demographic.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: Laura Marano, Gregg Sulkin, Isabella Gomez, Garfield Wilson, Barclay Hope
• Directed by: Michelle Johnston
• Written by: Michelle Johnston (Screenplay), Leigh Dunlap (Characters)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 AVC
• Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, French, Spanish DD 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH, French
• Studio: Warner Brothers
• Rated: PG
• Runtime: 85 minutes
• Blu-Ray Release Date: October 29th, 2019

Recommendation: Skip It.