Mirror Mirror Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC-encoded Blu-ray presentation of "Mirror Mirror," adhering to the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, is visually compelling and technically proficient. Utilizing Sony's F35 high-definition camera, the digital source remains clean and free of artifacts or noise, ensuring a pristine and sharp image throughout. The film offers a great sense of depth due to its superb delineation of details, from subtle facial lines to the intricate textures of Eiko Ishioka's costumes. The color palette fluctuates between muted neutral tones and strikingly vibrant colors, with deep blacks that preserve shadow detail without crushing. However, some scenes exhibit a light veil of grain, adding a cinematic texture that enriches the overall visual experience.

Contrast and brightness are judiciously balanced, maintaining dynamic highlights and shadow details without overdriving either element. Consistent with the film's fairy-tale aesthetic, flesh tones and color grading often feature a warm, creamy cast, particularly notable in ultra-vivid reds, burnished golds, and crisp yellows. There are instances in certain sequences where vivid saturation takes center stage, igniting the screen with color. While the visuals are mostly polished, a slight layer of softness and occasional digital filtering can be observed, adding to the storybook feel without detracting from the image quality significantly. Some viewers may notice a subtle purple ghosting effect during fast motion in dimly lit scenes, attributed to the film's shooting and post-production techniques rather than the transfer.

Overall, this Blu-ray presentation delivers an engaging and visually delightful experience that matches the theatrical quality of Tarsem Singh's stylistic direction. Consistent edge enhancement absence and high clarity make this a standout visual offering for Blu-ray enthusiasts.

The audio presentation of "Mirror Mirror" on Blu-ray boasts an exceptional DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, which thoroughly enhances the film's fairy tale ambiance with its clarity and dynamic range. Dialogue is consistently clear, full-bodied, and well-balanced, ensuring it remains easily understandable in both quiet and action-packed scenes. The soundfield is expansive and immersive, integrating front and rear channels seamlessly to create a compelling surround sound experience. This mix is particularly effective during sequences necessitating robust auditory activity, such as galloping horses, forest ambushes, and climactic battles. The spatial arrangement of effects—like door knocks or beastly roars—is precise, lending a natural sense of directionality and depth.

Alan Menken’s orchestral score complements the action perfectly, swelling and sweeping through scenes to heighten the on-screen drama. The low frequency extension is palpably rich, especially during action scenes where subwoofer-assisted effects add weight to sword clashes and explosive moments. The enveloping surround channels stay active with a range of background noises—water lapping, bells tolling, creatures lurking—that contribute significantly to the immersive experience. The added features of optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles ensure accessibility for a broader audience.

Spacious and atmospheric, the sound design succeeds in bringing the film's various settings—forests, castles, and towns—to life with rich auditory textures. Whether it's subtle ambiance or aggressive action sounds, each element is clear, distinct, and distributed evenly throughout the listening area. Importantly, the disc maintains a clean mix with no technical issues, balancing effects, score, and speech expertly to provide a thoroughly engaging auditory experience that aligns harmoniously with the film's visual splendor.

The Blu-ray of "Mirror Mirror" presents a varied collection of extras that offer insight into the film’s production and some light-hearted additions. The featurettes, all presented in 1080p with Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, range from behind-the-scenes looks to interactive content. Although some extras, like the "Prince and Puppies" segment, may feel negligible, others such as "I Believe I Can Dance" provide engaging content for fans interested in the film’s choreography. The "Looking Through the Mirror" featurette gives a glimpse into the film’s creation, highlighting the vision of director Tarsem Singh, albeit in a somewhat self-congratulatory manner. The deleted scenes are minor extensions that, while not crucial, are a welcome inclusion. Overall, the extras offer a worthwhile peek behind the curtain for fans and movie enthusiasts.

Extras included in this disc:

• Looking Through the Mirror: Behind-the-scenes look at the movie’s production.
• Prince and Puppies: Puppies critiquing Armie Hammer’s performance.
• I Believe I Can Dance: Step-by-step dance tutorial of the film's final dance number.
• Mirror Mirror interactive storybook: A 28-page digital storybook adaptation of the film.
• Deleted Scenes: Five additional scenes including an alternate opening.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional trailer for the film.
• Sneak Peeks: Trailers for other Relativity Media releases.
• Bonus DVD
• Digital Copy

"Mirror Mirror," directed by Tarsem Singh, offers a visually enchanting yet narratively uninspired rendition of the Snow White fairy tale. The film excels in creating a fairy-tale aesthetic, thanks to stunning production design, elaborate sets, and the last magnificently crafted costumes by Eiko Ishioka. The movie's breathtaking visuals, reminiscent of a living painting, are its most commendable feature. However, despite these visual splendors, the storytelling feels flat and formulaic, lacking the depth and emotional engagement of classic animated tales it seeks to emulate.

Screenwriters Marc Klein and Jason Keller inject modern sensibilities into the narrative by emphasizing female empowerment and adding contemporary humor. Still, the execution falls short of its inspirations like 'The Princess Bride' and 'Shrek.' The humor is primarily juvenile and rarely lands effectively, feeling forced and pedestrian. The plot remains rudimentary and disjointed, with undeveloped character arcs and lackluster pacing. Snow White's romance with Prince Alcott—played by Lily Collins and Armie Hammer respectively—is notably rushed, reducing any meaningful connection to a simplistic assumption of destiny.

Performances are a mixed bag. Julia Roberts delivers an amusing yet one-dimensional portrayal of the villainous Queen, while Lily Collins captures a sweet but underwritten Snow White. Nathan Lane and the seven dwarfs provide occasional comic relief, though their roles don’t rise above stereotypical depictions. Although the film poses as a light-hearted family comedy geared towards a younger audience, it fails to achieve the wit and appeal necessary to stand out. Ultimately, 'Mirror Mirror' shines brightest in its visual brilliance but stumbles narratively, resulting in an entertaining yet superficial experience that lacks the enduring magic of its source material.

"Mirror Mirror," a contemporary twist on the classic Snow White fairy tale, presents a beautifully crafted visual experience that falters in its narrative execution. Tarsem Singh's direction ensures that the film remains a feast for the eyes with its captivating visuals and Eiko Ishioka's illustrious costume work standing out as pinnacles of the film’s artistic achievements. However, these visual splendors do not compensate for the uninspired humor, thin character development, and lackluster scripting, all contributing to a film that's forgettable and devoid of substantial engagement for its audience. The humor fails to deliver beyond the surface level, making it difficult for both children and adults to find the intended charm.

On the technical front, "Mirror Mirror’s" Blu-ray presentation excels with near-perfect picture quality and dynamic audio. The video showcases blade-sharp clarity that transports viewers into its fantasy setting, while the audio immersion enhances the cinematic experience significantly. Despite these high marks in AV performance, the disc’s supplementary features leave much to be desired. The sparse insights into the making of the film and other bonus content create a gap that doesn't fulfill collectors' or fans' expectations. While the technical merits of the Blu-ray are solid, they do not completely mitigate the lackluster storytelling and character execution found within the film itself.

In conclusion, "Mirror Mirror" is a visually stunning film marred by an uninspired narrative. Although it succeeds technically in its Blu-ray presentation, this offering can’t quite elevate what is otherwise a mediocre cinematic experience. Recommended primarily for those who appreciate compelling visual artistry and high AV quality, this release might be best approached as a rental rather than a definitive purchase.