The Dragon Pearl Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "The Dragon Pearl" showcases an impressive 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer that truly benefits from its digital roots, having been shot with the Red system by award-winning Australian DP Geoffrey Simpson. The film, presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, excels in exterior scenes where the landscapes display vibrant, crisp colors that effectively pop off the screen. The detail is particularly sharp, evident in close-ups where facial blemishes and wrinkles are wonderfully rendered. Skin tones appear natural and smooth, and the superior black levels provide a deep, inky quality in well-lit scenes.

However, the interior and darker lit scenes show a slight drop in quality. The detail becomes softer, colors turn pale, and there are instances of image blur. Despite these minor shortcomings, the overall image remains clean, detailed, and noiseless, meeting the modern expectations of digital capture and post-production. Specific elements, such as Josh Chase's advanced Rubik's Cube and the ancient scroll's fine lines, highlight the image quality and the careful color delineation. Moreover, the video shows no evidence of banding but does present slight motion blur in heavier action sequences. Compressed without artifacts at a bitrate of 25.97 Mbps onto a BD-25, "The Dragon Pearl" maintains a polished look throughout its 98-minute runtime.

The Blu-ray of "The Dragon Pearl" features a lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track that, while not groundbreaking, offers a satisfying auditory experience for viewers. The dynamic range is commendable, making use of deep bass extensions particularly well during the dragon's appearances, and in a notably complex fight scene involving two henchmen. Dialogue clarity is consistently excellent, though viewers might need subtitles to navigate Australian and Chinese accents. The fantasy/action score by Frank Strangio, augmented by the Sh Drummers, also receives a notable boost, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Although the sound effects are competently mixed, they lack a sense of spatial placement, often feeling random in their deployment. However, the dragon's sound effects stand out, delivering an impressive auditory punch. Ambient noises and sound effects are sporadically utilized through the rear channels and work adequately but do not elevate the audio track to exceptional levels. Overall, while the audio mix may not be something audiophiles rave about, it is effective enough to engage most viewers, particularly the younger audience.

The Blu Ray disc extras for "The Dragon Pearl" are relatively sparse, featuring only the film's trailer in HD. Additionally, viewers are greeted with trailers for "Space Warriors," "Delhi Safari," and "Return to Nim's Island" upon disc startup, although these can be bypassed using the chapter forward button and are not accessible once the main menu is loaded. This inclusion of trailers adds some context but lacks depth compared to more content-rich releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: A brief 2-minute trailer of "The Dragon Pearl" in HD.

"The Dragon Pearl," a Sino-Australian co-production directed by Mario Andreacchio, is a family-oriented adventure that seeks to blend Chinese mythology with familiar storytelling tropes recognizable by global audiences. The plot revolves around two kids, Josh (Louis Corbett) and Ling (Li Lin Jin), who, while visiting their archaeologist parents, stumble upon mystical elements tied to an ancient dragon's lost pearl. Despite the exotic setting of an archaeological dig in China, the movie adds universal themes such as adolescent adventure and parental relationships, which are underscored by the presence of Sam Neill, drawing parallels to his iconic "Jurassic Park" performance.

The film explores various genres, combining comic elements through Jordan Chan’s role as Wu Dong, a flute-playing monk, and integrating mystical components with historical intrigues. Despite its attempts to captivate through well-trodden paths seen in blockbusters like "Indiana Jones," "E.T.," and "Star Wars," it falls short in execution. The narrative is simple and designed to be appealing largely to the under-12 demographic. Still, its charm lies in its pacing and PG-rated mild peril, making it safe and entertaining for younger viewers without being overly intense.

While "The Dragon Pearl" possesses a captivating storyline for kids, it lacks the depth and nuance that could engage adult viewers. The visual effects, particularly the depiction of the Chinese dragon, might appear unsophisticated to Western audiences accustomed to more photorealistic renderings. The dragon’s ethereal and sparkly portrayal aims to maintain its mythic allure rather than invoke fear. Performance-wise, the child actors deliver moderately passable portrayals despite limited dialogue quality. Unfortunately, Sam Neill’s participation seems underutilized, adding little beyond name recognition. Overall, "The Dragon Pearl" is a straightforward family-friendly film that will mostly appeal to children fascinated by mythical adventures but may leave discerning viewers wanting more.

"The Dragon Pearl" delivers an entertaining experience that is geared primarily towards a younger audience. The film features routine video and audio presentations that neither exceed nor fall short of standard expectations for family entertainment. While the acting and dialogue may leave discerning adult viewers wanting, they are adequate for the film's target demographic, which is likely to overlook these shortcomings in favor of its engaging storyline.

Technically, the Blu-Ray release is serviceable, though devoid of extras, which may disappoint collectors and enthusiasts seeking behind-the-scenes content or additional features. The special effects, while not groundbreaking, are competently executed and should captivate younger viewers who appreciate action-adventure themes. The film manages to maintain a balanced storytelling approach without over-relying on costly effects, making it a more grounded viewing experience.

Like many of the family titles being offered through ARC and its affiliated companies, "The Dragon Pearl" is currently a Wal-Mart exclusive but is scheduled for a wider release later this year. Both new and used copies are already appearing on Amazon through third-party sellers. Whether one looks for it now or waits for wider availability, the title is well worth considering. Major Hollywood studios no longer make these kinds of films, or, if they do, they spend too much money, overdo the effects and cast the wrong actors in a vain attempt to guarantee their investment. The makers of "Dragon Pearl" have learned how to make decent popcorn fare for youngsters at a reasonable cost. Recommended.