Smallfoot Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray transfer of "Smallfoot" offers a fantastically detailed and richly saturated visual experience. Employing a 2.39:1 AVC encoded image, the transfer stands out with an immaculate presentation that captures every fine detail, from the intricate fur textures of the yeti to the icy footprints they leave behind. The colors predominantly feature blue and white hues to evoke the film's snowy setting but show a vibrant explosion of colors when the narrative shifts to the Tibetan city, displaying neon lights and deep-shadowed corners. Despite minor softness in some large-angle CGI shots, the image is predominantly sharp, clean, and visually arresting.

Detail and dimensionality are superb, showcasing excellent texture and fine articulation in various elements, such as rocky formations and town locales in the yeti world. High-quality contrast ensures whites are crisp without distortion, and blacks are deep with enriching gradational highlights. The film’s complex visuals translate exceedingly well into high-definition, allowing the diverse color palette to remain stable and clear throughout. Even amidst the variations of whites, grays, blacks, purples, and lavenders that characterize the yeti environment, the Blu-ray maintains impressive saturation and clarity. The vibrancy comes to life abundantly during sequences involving human characters and a serenade scene in chapter four.

Warner’s 1080p AVC-encoded transfer not only retains the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.40:1 but also delivers bold and vivid colors with significant pop where necessary. Detail portrayal is remarkable across various elements, from small hair strands blowing in the breeze to intricate textures in rock formations. The contrast ratio is excellent, providing deep blacks and crisp whites without noticeable crushing or clipping. Overall, this pristine digital transfer ensures "Smallfoot" sparkles brilliantly on Blu-ray, free of any discernible encoding or source artifacts.

The Blu-ray release of "Smallfoot" features a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, a slight downscale from the original 7.1 theatrical mix. Despite this reduction, the audio presentation remains impressive, delivering an energetic and immersive experience. The core track boasts dynamic sound design, with wind effects and a rich musical score enveloping the listening area. The dialogue is crisp and centrally located, ensuring clear intelligibility. The LFE channel is robust, driving the excitement with deep, resonant bass for scenes involving Yetis, avalanches, and airplanes overhead.

The DTS-HD MA track excels in making full use of the surround sound platform. It presents a finely detailed audio landscape with precise imaging and a balanced acoustic presence. Front and rear channels are well-coordinated, offering seamless integration of directional cues and ambient effects that enhance the onscreen action. Musical elements are particularly noteworthy, filling the soundstage with vibrant beats that extend from the front speakers to the rears, creating an expansive auditory environment. The application of surround sound is measured, engaging the listener without overwhelming them.

This audio track is lively, utilizing its 5.1 configuration to its maximum potential. Wind effects and musical elements are effectively used to anchor the viewer in the film's environment. Dialogue remains clear and front-prioritized, ensuring it stands out amidst the action-packed sequences. The LFE channel's contribution is potent, providing punchy bass that occasionally shakes the room, adding depth to the film's more dramatic moments. Overall, while the absence of a 7.1 mix is slightly felt, the existing 5.1 DTS-HD MA track delivers a highly satisfying audio experience that complements the adventurous spirit of "Smallfoot."

The Blu-ray extras for "Smallfoot" offer a comprehensive and delightful array of content that enriches the viewing experience. Highlights include sing-along features, mini movies, and insightful featurettes that delve into the film’s creation. The disc also includes a series of music videos and a variety of short promotional materials, all presented in high-quality 1080p resolution. Additionally, the package comes with a DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital code, making it versatile for different viewing preferences. The technical aspects, such as karaoke-style prompts and separate encodes for certain features, reflect a thoughtfully crafted release aimed at providing maximum engagement and entertainment.

Extras included in this disc:

• Yeti Set Go Sing-Along: Sing-along lyrics with trivia and activities.
• Super Soozie Mini Movie: Custom animation featuring Soozie.
• Migo in The Secret of the Yeti Stones: Featurette with Channing Tatum.
• Yeti or Not, Here They Come! Imagining Smallfoot: Making-of featurette.
• Finally Free Music Video: Performed by Niall Horan.
• Moment of Truth Music Video: Performed by Cyn.
• Wonderful Life: In 28 Languages, Sung Around the World Music Video: Variety of languages.
• Promotional Materials: Includes multiple short promos.

"Smallfoot" delivers an engaging narrative centered around themes of truth, curiosity, and societal change, all wrapped in a family-friendly package. Positioned high above the clouds on a secluded mountain, a community of Yetis strictly follows age-old laws literally inscribed in stone. The plot kicks off when Migo (voiced by Channing Tatum) stumbles upon Percy (James Corden), a human, or "smallfoot," challenging the yetis' long-held beliefs. Ignored and later banished for defying these unchangeable truths, Migo teams up with the Smallfoot Evidentiary Society (S.E.S.) and its leader Meechee (Zendaya) to bring the human back to his village and reveal the profound yet unsettling reality that myths might hold more truth than they ever imagined.

Technically, "Smallfoot" excels with high-quality digital animation that brings life to the furry, fluffy character models, elevating the visual experience. Each character is designed with distinct personality traits, successfully brought to life through strong voice performances from an ensemble cast including Danny DeVito and Common. The film's music is lively and complements the story well, adding to its dynamic feel.

While "Smallfoot" doesn't break new ground in the animated genre, it effectively balances humor and thoughtful commentary on societal norms and resistance to change. It resonates most powerfully in its introductory act when it establishes Yeti culture and tradition with both levity and depth. As it progresses to explore human-yeti interactions, the narrative momentum dips slightly but regains its footing by the final act. Overall, "Smallfoot" stands as a solid animated film that entertains without attempting to revolutionize, making it a worthwhile 90-minute watch for both children and adults.

"Smallfoot" presents itself as an engaging, middle-tier animated film that effectively caters to younger audiences without alienating adults. The storyline is simple yet heartwarming, bringing forth a wholesome moral in an entertaining fashion. The animation is vibrant and detailed, capturing attention with its vivid colors and dynamic characters. The cast featuring Channing Tatum, Zendaya, Danny DeVito, LeBron James, and James Corden add a layer of charm and personality to their respective roles.

Warner Brothers' Blu-ray release of "Smallfoot" comes with impressive technical specifications. The 2.39:1 AVC encoded video ensures a sharp, clear image quality that truly showcases the colorful animation. The audio is adeptly mixed, with a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track in Korean and Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English DVS providing an immersive auditory experience. Although the theatrical 7.1 mix is noticeably absent, the existing audio tracks still deliver a robust sound landscape fitting for the film's energetic tone.

The Blu-ray supplement package, while not groundbreaking, offers content that caters well to younger viewers, enhancing their viewing experience with additional material. The overall presentation by Warner Brothers reflects their commitment to high-quality releases by providing solid video and audio interactivity that complements the film's entertaining essence.

In conclusion, "Smallfoot" is a surprisingly charming film that entertains without pretense. It's an excellent choice for family viewing with its appealing animation, simple yet impactful moral lessons, and polished technical execution. Warner Brothers' Blu-ray release further enhances the experience through commendable audio-visual quality and child-friendly extras. "Smallfoot" is an admirable addition to any family’s movie collection, earning a well-deserved recommendation for a cute and wholesome watch.