Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray of "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," presented by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, boasts an exemplary AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. Captured using the Arri Alexa XT at a 2.8K source resolution and finished with a 4K digital intermediate (DI), this presentation exhibits masterful visual fidelity. Tim Burton's typically vibrant and grotesque aesthetic is slightly more restrained here, but cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel’s (notable for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," "Dark Shadows," and "Big Eyes") expertise shines through, ensuring a rich, visual experience throughout the film.

Various environmental and temporal settings—from the sunny vibrancy of Florida to the dreary, teal-tinted Cairnholm, and the warm, nostalgic 1943 time loop—are portrayed with high detail levels, although some dimly lit interiors and underwater sequences transpire with softer focus. A slight instance of banding occurs during these underwater scenes but remains minimal and fleeting. CGI elements tend to appear softer compared to practical effects, a minor detraction from an otherwise superb visual presentation.

The Blu-ray showcases stunning color reproduction, particularly with the vibrant greens of Miss Peregrine's garden and the striking blue skies intensified during a lightning storm amidst a Luftwaffe raid. Black levels are impressively deep, providing excellent depth without sacrificing detail in shadows. The clarity extends to the finest details, such as the intricacies in Victorian-era clothing, foliage texture, and character facial features, contributing to an overall reference-quality visual experience notwithstanding occasional softness in CGI sequences.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track in "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" delivers a highly immersive experience, boasting excellent surround utilization that enhances both the movie's action-packed sequences and atmospheric ambience. Early scenes, such as the harrowing appearance of a Hollow at Jake's grandfather's death, feature robust low-end effects and dynamic sonic bursts from gunfire. Ambient sounds, like the gentle ruffling of breezes during Jake's tour with Miss Peregrine, add to the immersion. Despite some anticlimactic moments in the supposed climax, the overall clarity and fidelity of dialogue and the musical score remain impeccable.

While the absence of the Dolby Atmos track from the theatrical release is regrettable, the DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack compensates with a broad, engaging soundstage enriched by Mike Higham and Matthew Margeson's whimsical score. The mid-range reproduction is precise and detailed, ensuring each musical element stands out distinctly. Action-packed scenes involving the Hollowgasts benefit from a complex and powerful audio mix; tentacle stomps and roars resonate through the low-end, while explosions and lightning add impactful rumbles. Moisture sounds on the Welsh island and vintage surroundings during 1943 time-loop scenes provide vivid audio textures.

Additionally, the surround speakers are constantly active, delivering delightfully directional effects across the soundfield. Scenes on Cairnholm Island and within Miss Peregrine's residence are filled with natural environmental sounds, giving an authentic sense of space. The battle with the Hollowgasts, especially on the pier in Blackpool, is enhanced by flawless panning effects and layered sounds, creating a superbly immersive experience. Combat sequences during Luftwaffe raids stand out as prime demo scenes due to their impressive auditory detail and dynamic range, making this Blu-ray audio presentation both engaging and technically proficient.

The Blu-ray extras for "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" are comprehensive and insightful, providing both casual viewers and enthusiasts substantial content. With high-definition interviews, featurettes, and interactive elements, these extras delve deeply into the film's creation. Noteworthy is "The Peculiar Story," offering an enriching narrative behind Ransom Riggs' original series. "The Peculiars" stands out with its extensive profiles and background insights on the unique characters, combining cast and crew interviews with film snippets to enhance understanding. Each extra elaborates on different aspects of the movie, from the mystical time loops in "Map of Days" to the dark antagonists in "Hollows and Ex-Hollows." The array of multimedia content includes a captivating Florence + The Machine music video, enriching the viewer's experience beyond the main feature.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Peculiar Story: Interviews with Ransom Riggs on the series’ origins.
• The Peculiars: Character profiles and background details.
• Hollows and Ex-Hollows: Exploration of the film's villains.
• Map of Days: Insights into the film’s time loops.
• Wish That You Were Here Music Video: Performance by Florence + The Machine.
• Gallery: Comparison of vintage photos from the book and film sketches by Tim Burton.
• Theatrical Trailers: Promotional trailers of the film.

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," directed by Tim Burton and based on Ransom Riggs's novel, promises a combination of fantastical whimsy and dark intrigue but ultimately delivers a mixed cinematic experience. The film starts strong with teenager Jake Portman (Asa Butterfield) discovering his grandfather's cryptic past involving a mysterious home for peculiar children. The narrative's initial phase, filled with suspense and eerie visuals, sets a compelling stage. Unfortunately, as the plot unfolds, it struggles to maintain emotional resonance despite overt attempts to create heartfelt connections.

The visual storytelling, underscored by Burton's signature aesthetic, is captivating, especially in the portrayal of the peculiar children with their distinct abilities. Characters include Emma Bloom (Ella Purnell), who must wear lead boots to avoid floating away, and Enoch (Finlay MacMillan), capable of reanimating the dead. Despite their intriguing capabilities, the children's peculiarities serve more as whimsical diversions rather than integral elements driving the plot forward. This oversight muddles the narrative, leading to disjointed storytelling that lacks the tight cohesion necessary for a truly engaging fantasy world.

One of the most glaring issues is the screenplay's effort to cram extensive lore into a concise 127-minute runtime. Central plot mechanics, such as the concept of time-loops and the threat posed by shapeshifting antagonist Barron (Samuel L. Jackson), are introduced with insufficient exposition, leaving audiences to play catch-up. This rushed approach dilutes potential emotional depth and renders critical scenes anti-climactic. Furthermore, although Eva Green shines as the enigmatic Miss Peregrine, her character — like many others — is not given room to fully develop amidst the overstuffed cast and scattered plot points.

In conclusion, while "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" contains elements of charm and visual appeal typical of Burton's oeuvre, it ultimately falters due to its fragmented story structure and overly ambitious world-building efforts.

"Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children," directed by Tim Burton, lands on Blu-ray with a substantial offering in the technical department, demonstrating high-caliber visual and auditory precision. The film itself, however, struggles to capture the full potential of Ransom Riggs' beloved novel. While Burton's distinct visual style is evident in the striking topiary gardens and imaginative settings, the narrative suffers from a lack of depth in character and story development. The peculiar children, who are visually compelling, unfortunately lack substantial backstories that could have provided richer engagement with the audience.

The Blu-ray presentation excels with its demo-worthy video and reference quality audio. The sharpness of the visuals and the clarity of the sound design are outstanding, allowing viewers to fully immerse themselves in Burton's world. However, this impressive technical execution can't wholly compensate for the underwhelming execution of the film's plot and character arcs. The supplemental materials included could be more robust but still offer some additional insights for fans of the film.

In conclusion, though the film falls short in leveraging its fascinating premise to its fullest potential, the Blu-ray release showcases exceptional technical quality. Offering a mixed viewing experience, "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" comes recommended for those who can appreciate Burton's visual artistry and are seeking a bit of enchantment, despite some narrative shortcomings. Fans of Burton's aesthetic will find enough to enjoy here, making it worth adding to their collection.