Mia and the White Lion Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Mia and the White Lion" offers an impressive visual experience that captures the essence of its South African setting with remarkable clarity and detail. The 2.35:1 framed video presentation excels in rendering warm, sunlit settings, with the African terrain appearing vivid and richly textured. The colors are vibrant, bright, and appropriately muted when necessary, ensuring a visually satisfying balance. Facial features and skin tones are portrayed with variable depth, highlighting the finest gradations among the cast’s differing complexions. The warm and earthy tones dominate the landscape, bringing life to the dusty little farm and the lush greenery alike.

This digitally shot film benefits from an AVC encoded image within a 2.39:1 aspect ratio that showcases the golden sunsets and dynamic natural colors. The robust black levels and appreciable dynamic range enhance the visual depth, particularly in shadow details during nighttime scenes. Delineation is meticulous across various elements, from the intricate sand on farmhouse floors to the healthy fur of lions. Detail-rich close-ups reveal stunning textures, whether it's the animal features or human costumes, further accentuating the production's precision. The interior decorations add diverse hues, enriching the overall viewing palette.

Overall, the video quality on this BD-50 disc is exceptional, maintaining a sharp, artifact-free image throughout its 98-minute runtime, ensuring an immersive viewing experience that remarkably brings out the best of the film’s captivating visual elements.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Mia and the White Lion" from Shout Factory is delivered in both English and French DTS-HD MA 5.1 tracks, alongside a 2.0 downmix in DTS-HD MA lossless. Both language tracks are fundamentally robust, with clear advantages in different aspects. The English track showcases crisp, clear vocals that are predominantly supported by other elements in the mix. Notably, the surrounds are impressively active, effectively filled with the film's score, the ambient roar of lions, and various environmental noises that enrich the auditory landscape.

Technically proficient, the DTS-HD MA soundtrack excels with crystal clear dialog and robust dynamics. The use of spatial dimension and directional cues are adeptly integrated to create an immersive auditory experience. This is particularly enhanced during active sequences where the sound field feels enriched by appropriated surround elements. This cohesion significantly helps to build tension and underscore thematic points within the film.

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix emphasizes strong dialogue exchanges, ensuring clarity in accents and emotional deliveries without any distortion. The score distinguishes itself with well-defined percussion and crisp instrumentation, while surround channels effectively capture the bustling activity of the farm and its animal inhabitants. Though the low-end frequency response isn't fully taxed, it does offer occasional impactful punches to support the overall dramatic mix. This expertise in audio design results in a mix that manages to capture the film's essence without overextending the capabilities of the format.

The Blu-ray extras for "Mia and the White Lion" provide a comprehensive view of the production process, character dynamics, and behind-the-scenes efforts. The interview with director Gilles de Maistre is insightful, covering the inspiration behind the film and the meticulous casting process which included finding an actress willing to commit to a three-year shoot and working with the renowned lion trainer Kevin Richardson. Daniah De Villiers shares her personal experiences, detailing her connection with the lion and her on-set relationships. While the "Making Of" featurette offers valuable insights, additional behind-the-scenes content would have been beneficial. "The Extraordinary Friendship" succinctly encapsulates the human-animal bond, complemented by informative casting footage, deleted scenes, and a visually engaging still gallery.

Extras included in this disc:

Interview With Director Gilles de Maistre: Insights on inspiration, casting, and working with Kevin Richardson.

Interview With Actress Daniah De Villiers: Personal experiences with lion trainer and future career plans.

The Making Of Mia And The White Lion Featurette: Summary of production achievements and relationship-building efforts.

The Extraordinary Friendship Featurette: Summary of the lion/human dynamic.

Deleted Scenes: Additional footage not included in the final film.

Casting Footage: Initial audition footage from main actors.

Theatrical Trailer: Promotional trailer for the theatrical release.

Still Gallery: Collection of behind-the-scenes snaps, publicity photos, and film stills.

"Mia and the White Lion" effectively revives the quintessential family film genre, engaging viewers of all ages through its heartfelt narrative and picturesque backdrop of the South African savanna. The film launches its audience into a world where Mia, portrayed by Daniah De Villiers, grapples with a significant life change as her family relocates from London to run a lion conservation farm. The story deeply invests in the transformative bond between Mia and a rare white lion cub named Charlie, capturing their companionship over several years—a commitment echoed in the film's three-year shooting schedule. The authenticity of their relationship provides an emotional core that is both genuine and captivating.

While the film notably focuses on themes of conservation and the ethical issues surrounding sport hunting, it maintains a balanced approach without appearing overly didactic. The depiction of Charlie’s natural behaviors and his evolving relationship with Mia forms the cornerstone of this narrative, drawing the audience into a genuine exploration of human-animal interaction. As Charlie grows, Mia’s challenge morphs from mere acceptance of her new life to an urgent mission to protect her lion companion from the predatory business practices surrounding canned hunts. The film’s willingness to confront such controversial topics equips it with an edge rarely seen in contemporary family films.

Technically, the film is as compelling as its storyline. Gilles de Maistre's direction ensures that the dynamics of interactions between Mia and Charlie feel organic, paralleling the natural growth observed in Richard Linklater’s "Boyhood," but with an intricate interplay between human and lion. Despite occasional lapses into melodrama, "Mia and the White Lion" consistently recovers by showcasing the lion’s natural playfulness and curiosity. Additionally, some dialogue might appear simplistic; however, these moments are transcended by the visually engaging conservation narrative which underpins the film. Rated PG for thematic elements, peril, and some language, this film stands as a commendable piece that bridges generational viewing preferences while promoting a deeper message about wildlife preservation.

"Mia and the White Lion" makes a heartfelt entry into the realm of family entertainment, featuring breathtaking locations that elevate its visual storytelling. Shout Factory’s Blu-ray presentation captures these stunning landscapes in pristine 2.39:1 AVC, ensuring viewers are fully immersed. The film's honest exploration of animal conservation themes and the genuine bond between Mia and her majestic lion companion adds significant emotional weight. While the narrative lapses into predictable territory with strained family dynamics and external conflicts, the visual allure and affectionate portrayal of the leading duo remain captivating.

Featuring a well-rounded technical package, the Blu-ray offers several audio options, including English DTS-HD MA 5.1 for dynamic soundscapes, enhancing the viewing experience. Complementary subtitles in English SDH provide accessibility. The runtime stands at a family-friendly 96 minutes, easily maintaining engagement without overstaying its welcome. An impressive collection of bonus content further enriches the package, offering deeper insights into the making of the film and its thematic underpinnings.

In conclusion, with such a dearth of family films in the last 20 years or so, it’s refreshing to see an honest and sincere film like "Mia and the White Lion" come to home video as a movie that people from all ages in the household can watch comfortably. It’s sweet and reminds me of many of the family movies of the 90s, with lots of emphasis on animal conservation and heartwarming interactions between humans and animals. Shout Factory releases the Blu-ray with great video, good audio, and a REALLY impressive array of extras to enjoy. As is the case with many “catch all” family films, the movie has its good points and bad ones but is generally a fun all-ages watch for the whole family. Recommended.

Technical Specifications:

Starring: Daniah De Villiers, Melanie Laurent, Langley Kirkwood, Ryan Mac Lennan, Lionel Newton, Lillian Dube, Brandon Auret Directed by: Gilles de Maistre Written by: Prune de Maistre, William Davies Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 AVC Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, French DTS-HD MA 2.0, English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Subtitles: English SDH Studio: Shout Factory Rated: PG Runtime: 96 minutes Blu-Ray Release Date: July 2nd, 2019

Recommendation: Recommended