Angels Sing Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Angels Sing" on Blu-ray delivers a satisfying high-definition experience, marked by appreciable refinement and subtle delineation. The colors and fleshtones appear natural with ample saturation and vivid textures, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The black levels are respectable, and the depth of field is maintained effectively, even during low-light sequences. Importantly, there are no noteworthy anomalies or artifacts present, ensuring a smooth viewing experience.

Lionsgate Films' Blu-ray release of "Angels Sing" features an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. This high-definition presentation is visually appealing, with vivid primaries, particularly the reds, which are abundant and vibrant in this Christmas-themed film. Fine detail is excellent, especially in close-ups where the minuscule patterns on Lyle Lovett's sweater are clearly discernible. The film was shot using the Red One camera, resulting in a transfer free of compression issues, contributing to the overall pristine quality of the video.

The audio presentation of "Angels Sing" on Blu Ray boasts a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that successfully captures the film's intended auditory elements. The dialogue is exceptionally clear and distinctly articulated through the center channel, ensuring an unobstructed listening experience for the viewer. Complementing this, the film’s musical sequences dominate the front soundstage, offering an immersive and enveloping auditory backdrop. Though the aural perspective predominantly favors the front channels, spatial venue effects and ambient sound are judiciously fed to the rear channels, adding a limited but effective sense of envelopment.

Musical sequences, which are plentiful even though this isn't a traditional musical, are particularly well-rendered and make full use of the DTS-HD Master Audio format. The crowd scenes, such as those featuring ice skating, provide a nicely immersive experience, with peripheral sounds enhancing the realism and drawing the audience into the film. Overall, this presentation ensures that both dialogue and music are delivered with clarity and dimension, creating an engaging sonic environment.

The Blu-ray release of "Angels Sing" includes a modest selection of extras that enrich the viewing experience, though it may leave some enthusiasts desiring more. The primary inclusion is an HD trailer which provides a good taste of the film's heartwarming narrative, but unfortunately, the disc lacks additional substantive content such as featurettes or commentary tracks. This limited offering is standard for many Lionsgate releases and could benefit from more in-depth supplements to better appreciate the film’s behind-the-scenes elements and creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A high-definition preview of the film.

"Angels Sing" stars Harry Connick, Jr. as Michael Walker, who, due to a tragic childhood accident, grows to resent Christmas. Thirty years later, despite encouragement from his supportive wife (Connie Britton) and well-intentioned parents (Kris Kristofferson and Fionnula Flanagan), Michael still avoids the joy of the season. The film takes a heartfelt turn when Michael's young son (Chandler Canterbury) faces his own tragedy, prompting Michael to reconcile with his past. Willie Nelson plays Nick, a mysterious figure whose gift helps Michael rediscover the Christmas spirit.

The film's narrative is a familiar yet comforting tale of regret and redemption, akin to classics such as Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." While it might seem suited for Hallmark Channel's holiday roster, "Angels Sing" exceeded these expectations with a limited theatrical release and a spot at the SXSW Festival, partly due to its Austin-based story and cast. Directed by Tim McCanlies, the film benefits from his deft touch, balancing emotion and humor without descending into sentimentality or slapstick. The performances are solid across the board, with Connick, Jr., Britton, Kristofferson, Flanagan, and Canterbury delivering engaging turns that elevate what could have been formulaic holiday fare.

Despite its predictability, "Angels Sing" offers more depth than initially expected. The movie emphasizes themes of family and forgiveness through well-crafted characters and sincere performances. While it teeters on being manipulative at times, its sweet and affecting nature tends to resonate well with audiences looking for a heartwarming holiday experience.

The performances throughout "Angels Sing" are endearing and well-executed, showcasing a level of nuance that elevates this small-scale holiday film above typical television fare. Although the plot follows a fairly predictable arc, it is executed with enough charm and sincerity to keep viewers engaged from start to finish. The film's pacing ensures that it never overstays its welcome, making it an excellent choice for those looking to embrace the holiday spirit.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Angels Sing" is commendable, with a solid transfer that captures the festive atmosphere effectively. The video quality is sharp with vibrant colors, adding to the warm, inviting feel of the holiday scenes. The audio tracks provide clear dialogue and adequately immersive soundscapes, although they do not necessarily utilize the full potential of high-end audio setups.

In conclusion, "Angels Sing" delivers a modest yet heartwarming holiday experience that is well supported by a commendable Blu-ray release. Fans of holiday films will find much to enjoy, making this release a recommended addition to their collection.