Dragon's Lair Blu-ray Review

The new 1080p restoration of "Dragon's Lair" by Digital Leisure, re-formatted to a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio and encoded in MPEG-2, represents a substantial upgrade over previous DVD versions and even the original arcade LaserDisc. The most striking improvement is the color quality; previously muted and pale hues have been replaced by rich, vivid colors that bring the animation to life. Reds are no longer flat oranges but vibrant and engaging, while purples, greens, and blues excel in depth and richness. Contrast has also seen a notable enhancement, with deeper blacks and brighter whites providing a more dynamic and visually appealing image.

However, the film restoration appears uneven: some scenes are pristine and clean, while others retain distracting grain and film flicker, exacerbated by high-definition sharpness. Additionally, the cropping from the original 1.33 aspect ratio to 1.78:1 might disappoint purists, as it results in some compromised framing. For example, in the scene with the black knight and the electric floor panels, the knight's head is slightly cropped in the overhead shot.

Despite these issues, the overall quality of the Blu-ray transfer is undeniably superior to any previous edition, delivering a visual experience that does justice to Don Bluth's timeless animation. Grain artifacts, though present, minimally detract from the viewing experience, and MPEG2 artifacts are kept to a low level. In sum, this Blu-ray edition offers a significant visual upgrade while maintaining the retro charm that fans of "Dragon's Lair" cherish.

The audio presentation on the Blu-ray edition of "Dragon's Lair" undergoes a notable remaster to Dolby Digital 5.1 surround mix, encoded at 640kbps. The remix delivers a lively and active sound experience, effectively utilizing the surround channels to create a genuinely engaging atmosphere. Despite the predominantly artificial nature of the sound effects, they possess a bright, punchy quality that enhances the immersion significantly. Dynamic effects dispersed within the rear channels—such as swirling wind, crumbling rocks, and the fiery roar of the Dragon—complement the auditory experience. The bass underpinnings add a sprightly punch, particularly noticeable in sequences like the river scene, where rushing water and whirlpool rumbles are vividly realized. However, moments where dialogues are present, such as Princess Daphne's coquettish coo and Dirk's various exclamations, the sound design maintains clarity without overstepping into obtrusive territory.

While there are commendable moments, such as the enveloping river scene, the sound design reveals certain budgetary constraints, highlighted by the use of stock sound effects and a score that occasionally resembles a simple Casio keyboard. Additionally, rapid scene changes present an issue where the receiver continuously re-locks onto the Dolby Digital signal, causing intermittent clicking. A suggested workaround involves switching your audio output from bitstream to PCM to mitigate this intermittence. Notably, the audio transitions during some sequences could feel less balanced, such as the peculiar placement shift of all sound elements (dialogue, music, effects) to the surround channels mid-scene before returning to the front. Nonetheless, given its limitations and vintage charm, the audio experience of "Dragon's Lair" on Blu-ray offers a respectable upgrade that caters well to nostalgic enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray edition of "Dragon's Lair" offers a comprehensive and nostalgic collection of extras that fans and newcomers alike will appreciate. The 'Watch' feature allows viewers to experience the full game, including all potential character deaths, providing a unique vantage point without the need for gameplay interaction. The 'Video Commentary' is a standout inclusion, featuring in-depth insights from creators Don Bluth, Gary Goldman, and Rick Dyer as they recount the project’s development under tight timelines, enhanced by BD Java integration. The 'Creator Interviews' segment complements this further with almost 23 minutes of retrospective anecdotes and technical discussions on the game's restoration. Additionally, shorter clips under 'HD Restoration' showcase the before-and-after effects of the visual refinements. The 'Dragon's Lair Time Capsule' provides a quick glance into the game's various home transfers over time, while the 'Previews' offer nostalgic arcade modes for "Dragon's Lair," "Space Ace," and "Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp."

Extras included in this disc:

• Watch: View entire game without playing.
• Video Commentary: Discusses making of the film and game.
• Creator Interviews: Filmmakers on creation, history, and restoration.
• HD Restoration: Before and after clips of video restoration.
• Dragon's Lair Time Capsule: Various home transfers.
• Previews: Arcade attract modes for Dragon's Lair, Space Ace, and Dragon's Lair II: Time Warp.

"Dragon's Lair" is a unique fusion of animation and interactive gameplay that first enchanted audiences in 1983 with its groundbreaking use of LaserDisc technology. While the game appears archaic by today's standards, its hand-drawn 2D animation and revolutionary integration of joystick commands to guide Dirk the Daring through a castle filled with traps and monsters have cemented it as a nostalgic piece of video game history. The setup is simple: rescue Princess Daphne from an evil dragon, navigating a series of challenges that blend traditional gaming controls with cinematic sequences. Though limited in runtime, its intricately timed inputs and real-time decision-making have earned it a cult following, despite its repetitive sequences and high difficulty.

This Blu-ray release features a new 1080p high-definition master from Digital Leisure, along with a Dolby Digital 5.1 sound remix. The improved responsiveness of controls ensures a smooth experience compared to older DVD versions, which were hindered by lengthy load times and unresponsive commands. The Blu-ray rendition remarkably preserves the rich animation and fluid transitions, offering gamers an arcade-authentic experience. Additional gameplay settings—such as selecting between five lives or unlimited lives, toggling text overlays, and the inclusion of control prompts—enhance the customization options. Unfortunately, certain aspects like the auto-advance feature and obscure gameplay modes can prove frustrating for purists and newcomers alike.

Despite these minor detractors, "Dragon's Lair" on Blu-ray stands as the closest replication to its original arcade glory. With its seamless gameplay integration and visually stunning animation, this edition provides both hardcore fans and curious newcomers the best opportunity to experience Dirk's daring adventures in their full nostalgic charm. While new gamers accustomed to modern consoles may find its mechanics outdated, the title remains respected for its originality and the joy it brought to early '80s arcade patrons.

The Blu-ray edition of "Dragon's Lair" offers an impressive restoration of this classic game, delivering high-quality video and audio that truly enhances the experience. The meticulous attention to detail in the animation’s restoration is evident, with vibrant colors and crisp lines that bring the beloved arcade game to life. The supplementary materials add significant value, providing fans with enjoyable content that complements the main feature. However, despite the seamless integration of play controls, there are notable issues regarding gameplay engineering. The Blu-ray seems to reward incorrect moves, which might frustrate players seeking a more traditional experience. Additionally, there are some technical glitches associated with specific playback systems, which could pose a barrier to a flawless experience.

On technical fronts, the disc performs admirably on certain players like the PlayStation 3, but encounters crippling issues with others, such as CyberLink's PowerDVD Ultra (v7.3). On PC setups using this particular software, the disc can lock up the application completely or refuse to play after several attempts to uninstall and reinstall the software. Conversely, playback on the PlayStation 3 is smooth overall, with only minor annoyances stemming from the Java-based menu system. These glitches can be vexing when trying to select specific scenes, but they do not heavily detract from the core experience.

In conclusion, for enthusiasts of "Dragon's Lair," this Blu-ray release is a valuable addition to any collection, provided that one has compatible playback hardware and can overlook some of the engineering and menu-based annoyances. The overall presentation and restoration quality make it a must-have for dedicated fans, though cautious buyers may want to rent first given the mentioned issues. Despite its flaws, this version stands as the best home format adaptation of "Dragon's Lair" to date.