Pete's Dragon Blu-ray Review

Disney's reissue of "Pete's Dragon" on Blu-ray showcases their commitment to preserving classic films. The 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer breathes new life into the blend of live-action and animation, though it carries its historical quirks. While the film sometimes experiences bouts of softness attributable to Frank Phillips’ original cinematography, fine textures are prominently displayed throughout. Facial details, such as Pete’s freckles and Rooney’s beard, are especially sharp. Skintones, although occasionally pinkish, are balanced against a lovely color palette featuring vivid primaries and deep black levels, offering a visually engaging experience.

The transfer also demonstrates keen attention to contrast. Darker scenes like the stormy night sequence with the ship display remarkable shadow detail, though some greying at the edges can detract slightly. Elliott, the dragon, displays variable color fidelity in different scenes, reflecting the challenging blend of live-action and animated elements. Although the green screen effects haven’t entirely stood the test of time, with oceanic backgrounds sometimes appearing overly artificial, these issues are minor compared to the overall solid presentation.

In summary, despite minor imperfections inherent to the original source material and age of the special effects, Disney has admirably brought out detailed textures, rich colors, and solid contrast in this Blu-ray release of "Pete's Dragon." Their thoughtful restoration efforts reveal a visually pleasing experience that highlights the film’s charm and intricate details unseen in previous formats like VHS and DVD.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Pete's Dragon" features Disney’s DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, which offers a serviceable yet unremarkable auditory experience. The mix is competent, but largely conservative in its use of multi-channel capabilities. The rear speakers are employed sparingly, even in scenes that would benefit from immersive effects, such as crowd sequences or action-packed moments. Additionally, the LFE channel is restrained, contributing only during high-impact scenes like a raging storm or Elliott’s disruptive escapades through a schoolhouse. This results in an audio experience that is clear but lacks dynamism.

Despite these limitations, the dialogue generally maintains clarity and is well-prioritized, although occasional issues with thinness, muffling, and low-lying hiss detract from the overall fidelity. Importantly, the film’s music—composed by Al Kasha, Joel Hirschhorn, and Irwin Kostal—is treated well within the mix. The songs are presented with decent dynamics and a slight volume boost, enhancing their presence without overshadowing other elements. Consequently, the track preserves much of the film's original sound design while subtly modernizing it.

In conclusion, while the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track for "Pete’s Dragon" might not be groundbreaking, it honors the original auditory experience from its 35-year legacy. It delivers clear and intelligible dialogue with smooth pans and an adequately balanced musical score. For those seeking cutting-edge surround sound immersion, this mix may fall short, but it remains a commendable effort that retains the film's nostalgic charm.

The extra features on the "Pete's Dragon" Blu-ray offer an insightful and nostalgic look at the film's production, making this edition a valuable asset for both long-time fans and newcomers. Actor Sean Marshall, who played Pete, hosts the primary feature, "Brazzle Dazzle Effects: Behind Disney's Movie Magic," providing a comprehensive history of Disney's special effects and the blend of live-action with animation that makes the film unique. Complementing this is a deleted sequence titled "Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliott" and the storyboard reel for the original song "Boo Bop Bopbop Bob (I Love You, Too)." The package is rounded out with two classic trailers, adding to the overall archival experience.

Extras included in this disc:

Brazzle Dazzle Effects: Behind Disney's Movie Magic: Actor Sean Marshall discusses Disney's special effects and animation integration.

Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliott: Deleted scene with storyboards and voicework.

Original Song Concept: Boo Bop Bopbop Bob (I Love You, Too): Storyboards and early recordings of the original song.

Trailers: Two classic trailers.

"Pete's Dragon" is a nostalgic blend of animation and live-action from the late 1970s that continues to evoke mixed feelings among its viewers. For those who cherished it in their youth, revisiting this Disney classic may either reaffirm their fond memories or bring to light its less enchanting qualities. The film, centered around an orphan named Pete (Sean Marshall) and his invisible, fire-breathing dragon, Elliott, offers a whimsical adventure set in the small town of Passamaquoddy. However, despite its charming premise and memorable songs like "I Love You Too" and "Brazzle Dazzle Day," the movie's bloated 129-minute runtime, predictable storyline, overly staged performances, and dated special effects can be cumbersome for contemporary audiences.

Technically, "Pete's Dragon" was ambitious for its time. Directed by Don Chaffey and featuring animation work by Disney stalwarts like Ken Anderson and Don Bluth, the film represented a significant endeavor in blending animated characters with live-action sequences. It was also notable as Disney’s first foray into Dolby Stereo sound. Despite these technical milestones, the film's extensive compositing effects have not aged gracefully, which might detract from its visual appeal for modern viewers. Nonetheless, the animation of Elliott the Dragon remains a high point, capturing the character's clumsy charm.

While "Pete's Dragon" may not hold the timeless allure of Disney masterpieces like "Mary Poppins" or "The Secret of NIMH," it serves as a charming relic for those who grew up with it. This Blu-ray release is likely to resonate more with adult fans looking to recapture childhood memories than with new, younger audiences. Ultimately, "Pete's Dragon" stands as a sweet but secondary entry in Disney's historical catalog, offering both nostalgia-infused enjoyment and a reminder of the studio's evolving legacy in family entertainment.

"Pete's Dragon" showcases a charm that resonates particularly well with those who hold nostalgia for Disney's earlier live-action attempts. While it's unlikely to land in the top tier of Disney classics, its presentation on Blu-ray is a testament to Disney's dedication to preserving their extensive catalog. The Blu-ray release delivers an exceptional video transfer that revitalizes the picture quality, breathing new life into this 35-year-old film. Complemented by a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, the auditory experience is both immersive and polished, giving fans a reason to revisit the movie and newcomers a reason to explore it.

However, while the technical aspects of the Blu-ray are commendable, the release could have been elevated further with the inclusion of more substantial special features. The absence of in-depth retrospectives or new celebratory content diminishes the overall package, an unfortunate oversight given the anniversary branding. The allure of exclusive behind-the-scenes insights or interviews would have added significant value to this release.

In conclusion, "Pete's Dragon" on Blu-ray strikes a balance between nostalgia and high-quality presentation. Although it may not ascend to the echelons of Disney's most memorable films, the Blu-ray treatment ensures it remains a worthy addition to any collection. Ultimately, despite its shortcomings in supplementary content, the impeccable audio and visual fidelity make this Blu-ray a solid offering for Disney enthusiasts.