Mr. Peabody & Sherman Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" delivers a visually engaging experience with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode and a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The presentation stands out with bold, vibrant colors that perfectly balance the various scenes, from historical settings like revolutionary France and ancient Egypt to modern-day New York and Italy. Colors leap off the screen, providing rich and nuanced background hues that create a visually intoxicating world. However, while the color reproduction is impressive, the overall animation quality occasionally falls short compared to high-caliber releases from Disney and Pixar.

In terms of detail, the Blu-ray does a commendable job of highlighting Mr. Peabody's textured nose and fur, although it lacks the finer details seen in top-tier animated releases. For instance, human hair appears visible but not as detailed as one might expect. Environments such as hardwood floors, classrooms, and ancient Egyptian sands are well-defined but can sometimes seem smooth and textureless. Finer details, such as floating dust particles, show that a meticulous level of effort was put into certain aspects of the animation.

Despite the minor shortcomings in animation detail, the Blu-ray presentation is clear, sharp, and free of significant flaws like banding. Black levels are deep and accurate, contributing to a finely tuned animated presentation that generally ranks well within the digital market, albeit slightly behind top-notch family animations. The technical execution on this release ensures that the visuals remain engaging and enjoyable for viewers, offering a solid home viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" on Blu-ray is exemplary, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack that delivers stellar quality across the board. The dynamic and expansive soundstage is immediate and enveloping, providing an engaging auditory experience that befits a modern blockbuster. The mix boasts excellent surround support across all channels, creating an immersive environment where music, dialogue, and sound effects harmoniously coexist. The environmental and action-specific effects are exceptionally well-crafted, achieving a balance between clarity and immersion. Particular highlights include the robust and rich musical scores by Danny Elfman and the eloquent use of classic tracks, all of which maintain a full-bodied presence throughout the audible range, especially in the low frequencies.

Dialog is another standout aspect of this audio mix, delivered with remarkable clarity and focus from the center channel. The vocal performances by the cast are brought to life with precision, emphasizing the skill of the voice actors in conveying the narrative. There is a noticeable absence of big-name stunt casting, which often detracts from animated features; instead, it celebrates professional voice talent delivering a richer, fuller vocal experience.

The sound effects within this track are equally impressive, with layers upon layers of distinct audio cues meticulously mixed to enhance spatial awareness and immersion. These effects range from historical ambient noises to invigorating action sequences, all purposefully defined and strategically placed within the soundstage. They not only add depth and dimension to the film but also contribute to creating an atmosphere that is both fun and contextually immersive, marking this audio presentation as a reference-quality track that audiences will undoubtedly appreciate.

The Blu Ray of "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" features an engaging and varied set of extras that delve deep into the film's inspiration, scientific connections, and fun interactive content. Despite some playback issues like audio dropouts and screen freezes on certain devices, the range of supplemental features offers excellent behind-the-scenes insights and entertaining activities, making it a valuable addition for fans of the film. The supplements include original cartoons from Rocky & Bullwinkle, educational and fun science discussions about time travel, and interactive games. This mix is rounded out with historical looks at the characters and additional preview content from DreamWorks.

Extras included in this disc:

• Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends: Original cartoons that inspired the film.
• A Tour of the WABAC Machine: Mr. Peabody shows off his incredible invention.
• Time Travel: Mad Science: Real-life physicists discuss time travel concepts.
• DreamWorks Presents: Mr. Peabody & Sherman, A Journey WABAC: History and making of the film.
• History's Greatest Mystery—A Dog and His Boy: Documentary-style look at Peabody and Sherman in history.
• Peabody's Paw Print on History: Mr. Peabody's ceremony in Los Angeles.
• The WABAC Jigsaw Puzzle: Interactive puzzle game using the remote.
• Time Travel Memory Match: Interactive memory match game.
• Gallery: Still images from the film.
• Mr. Peabody & Sherman Theatrical Trailer: Official trailer for the film.
• Sneak Peek: Additional DreamWorks titles previews.
• World of DreamWorks Animation: Music videos from major DreamWorks film franchises.

"Mr. Peabody & Sherman" takes its foundation from the nostalgic "Rocky and Bullwinkle Show," presenting a family-friendly, high-energy time travel adventure. Mr. Peabody, voiced with nerdy precision by Ty Burrell, is a multimillionaire canine polymath who adopts Sherman (Max Charles) – a dynamic father-son duo driving the narrative. The plot kicks off on Sherman's first day of school and swiftly dives into turmoil with his classmate Penny (Ariel Winter). Their conflict leads to a time-travel escapade using their WABAC machine, visiting diverse historic moments like ancient Egypt and revolutionary France. This setup facilitates both comedic and heartfelt explorations of history and the father's profound relationship with his son.

Technically, the animation is stunning, capturing historical epochs with vibrancy and creative flair, even if it occasionally lacks narrative cohesion. The film leans heavily on simple comedies and familiar setups but redeems itself through its engaging temporal jauntings and the sparking interactions among historical icons. While some viewers may find the humor forced or repetitive, the lively pace and well-voiced characters, especially Burrell’s Mr. Peabody, ensure an enjoyable ride. Despite needing more original scripting, "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" remains a joyful romp that's accessible for kids and acceptable for adults seeking whimsical nostalgia.

This isn't groundbreaking cinema but stands out for delivering entertainment steeped in affection rather than sheer innovation. Kids might revel in the energetic historical adventures and visually detailed recreations, while older viewers can appreciate the movie's homage to its source material. Though it doesn't fully captivate with fresh storytelling, it succeeds in invoking laughter and teaching gentle lessons about family and friendship throughout its varied historical landscapes.

"Mr. Peabody & Sherman" on Blu-ray is a fine example of contemporary animated filmmaking, delivering vibrant visuals, engaging sound, and a storyline that combines time travel with familial bonding. The film stands as a modern digital family feature even though it derives from older material and often borrows storytelling elements from other sources. The humor and zaniness ensure it is both entertaining and, albeit somewhat conventionally, engrossing. The impeccable 1080p video transfer provides crisp and lively visuals complemented by an extraordinary 7.1 audio mix that truly immerses viewers in the film’s energetic atmosphere.

For fans of the original 'Mr. Peabody & Sherman' shorts from 'Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends,' this Blu-ray presents a delightful nostalgic experience. However, for those unfamiliar with the source material, it might feel underwhelming with its moderately detailed animation falling slightly short of excellence. Nevertheless, the film’s updated visual and sound quality on Blu-ray is commendable, providing a visually rich and acoustically dynamic experience.

The special features on this Blu-ray are a mixed bag. The absence of a filmmakers' commentary track is noted, but the array of Blu-ray-exclusive content compensates for this gap, offering additional value for viewers seeking more insight into the film. Overall, the Blu-ray release of "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" is robust and worth recommending despite minor shortcomings in the film itself.

They still make 'em like they used to. "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" is everything one expects of a big modern animated movie. It’s reliably solid family fun—predictable yet polished, entertaining without being groundbreaking. DreamWorks has provided a high-quality visual and auditory presentation bolstered by worthwhile supplemental features, making this Blu-ray edition a recommendable addition to any home library.