Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp's Adventure Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure" impressively showcases its 1080p/AVC-encoded video transfer. The film is replete with soft pastels, vibrant springtime hues, and surprisingly impressive animation for a direct-to-video Disney sequel. The hand-drawn animation remains fluid, crisp, and expressive, bringing a nearly feature-quality visual experience to the screen. Backgrounds brim with painterly textures, and the clean, sharp line art ensures that every nuance in the animation is preserved. The image is largely free from significant encoding anomalies or banding, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the crisp and clean look of the movie.

However, the video transfer is not without minor technical hiccups. Sporadic instances of outdated CGI, particularly during scenes involving bursting balloons and streamers at the Independence Day celebration, result in noticeable aliasing and artifacting. Despite this, these moments are few and do not significantly detract from the overall visual quality. Colors maintain a vibrant, storybook-like quality with lightly colored hues dominating the palette. Blacks are inky, and while the animation style might remind viewers of television series like 'Tailspin,' it still provides a modern, enjoyable viewing experience. Younger audiences will be drawn to the film’s colorful nature and polished presentation, even if it falls short of Disney's feature-level animation standards.

In summary, "Scamp's Adventure" delivers a solid and visually pleasing experience in its Blu-ray presentation. While there are some minor issues with aliasing due to outdated CGI, the pristine hand-drawn animation and vibrant color scheme more than make up for these shortcomings. The crystal-clear image and overall clean presentation make this Blu-ray a delightful nostalgic revisit for fans and an engaging watch for new viewers.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track on the Blu-ray release of "Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp's Adventure" offers a solid and clear auditory experience, though it doesn't quite reach the heights of reference-quality audio. Dialogue is consistently light and playful, while various sound effects, such as the clanging alleyway noise and distant dog barks, ring true with accurate localization and clarity. Songs, though not particularly impactful in their composition, are well-distributed throughout the soundfield without distorting or overshadowing other elements.

What stands out in the sound mix is the occasional dynamic range, particularly during scenes involving more intense action. An example worth noting is the rumbling and echoing effect of an oncoming train, which effectively utilizes low-frequency effects (LFE) to enhance immersion. However, the audio mix predominantly maintains a front-heavy presence, occasionally lacking the enveloping quality one might expect from a surround track.

Though some may find the mix's boosts in musical sequences, such as the opening song that seems to dominate all channels, somewhat overbearing, these moments don't significantly detract from the overall listening experience. Rear channel activity is commendable, showcasing ambient details like the Independence Day celebration chatter and the Darling household's lively scampers. Despite not being groundbreaking, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix performs its duty effectively and adds a layer of depth and clarity to "Scamp's Adventure" without notable faltering.

The Blu-Ray extras for "Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp's Adventure" provide a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience that will delight both fans of animation and the narrative process. Key supplementary features include an engaging audio commentary by director Darrell Rooney, animation director Steve Trenbirth, and co-director Jeannine Roussel, offering deep insights into the film’s creative journey. The making-of featurette, "From Tramp to Scamp," takes viewers through the entire production process, making it an invaluable resource for budding animators. While the "Puppy Trivia Track" might obstruct some viewing pleasure with intrusive pop-up boxes, it offers fun facts aimed at a younger audience. The "Sing-Along Songs" segment and the collection of classic Walt Disney shorts featuring Pluto are highly entertaining and notable highlights of the extras.

Extras included in this disc:

• From Tramp to Scamp: A comprehensive making-of featurette.
• Audio Commentary: Deep insights from the director and animation team.
• Puppy Trivia Track: Pop-up animal facts for children.
• Sing-Along Songs: Karaoke-style subtitle songs.
• Classic Walt Disney Shorts: Collection of delightful Pluto shorts.

"Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure," part of Disney's recent flood of catalog releases on Blu-ray, is a direct-to-video sequel that significantly departs from the charm of its predecessor. While the original "Lady and the Tramp" endears itself with timeless storytelling and beloved characters, Scamp’s venture into rebellious territory fails to capture the same magic. The focus shifts from the classic romantic tale to Scamp, Tramp and Lady's impetuous son, who escapes domesticated life to join a motley group of Junkyard Dogs led by Buster (Chazz Palminteri). His journey mirrors a cautionary tale regarding loyalty and love, falling for another stray named Angel (Alyssa Milano), yet it starkly contrasts the gentle narrative of the original film.

Technically, the sequel suffers from uninspired execution. The storytelling becomes a repetitive cycle of Scamp denouncing rules and attempting to fit in with the strays, creating a narrative strain without substantial progression. Iconic characters like Lady, Tramp, and the Darlings are sidelined, resulting in a lack of continuity and emotional depth. The musical numbers by Danny Troob attempt grandeur but fall flat, lacking the musicality that defined Disney's masterpieces. The film also tries to recreate memorable moments such as the spaghetti scene but ends up feeling forced and contrived.

From a production standpoint, the voice cast is largely forgettable, comprised primarily of second-tier talent. The dialogue is uninspired, reinforcing the perception that the film was a rushed effort meant to capitalize on existing intellectual property rather than create something genuinely enjoyable. Ultimately, despite decent animation quality typical of Disney's standards, "Scamp’s Adventure" does little to justify its existence and ultimately disrespects the beloved legacy of "Lady and the Tramp." This Blu-ray edition may appeal to completists or younger audiences unfamiliar with the original's charm, but it likely won't earn repeat viewings from discerning fans.

"Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure" on Blu-ray delivers a visually appealing, yet ultimately forgettable sequel to the beloved classic. While the narrative fails to capture the charm and timeless romance of its predecessor, favoring instead a more child-centric storyline, the technical quality of the release is commendable. The video transfer is robust and vibrant, showcasing the animation with enhanced clarity and color saturation. Additionally, the DTS-HD Master Audio track complements the visual experience effectively, offering crisp and dynamic sound that enriches the viewer’s experience.

The supplementary materials, though modest in quantity, provide additional value for those interested in behind-the-scenes content and further exploration of the characters and story. However, these extras do not significantly elevate the overall package to a must-buy status. The sequel’s inability to live up to the original film's legacy is evident, often undermining the elements that made "Lady and the Tramp" a classic. Despite the solid audio and video quality, the lacklustre plot underscores the contention that some stories are better left without sequels.

In conclusion, "Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure" will likely only appeal to avid collectors or completionists. The Blu-ray offers excellent technical features but falls short in delivering an engaging or memorable story. Buyers should manage their expectations appropriately, knowing they are investing in high-quality audiovisuals rather than compelling content. If curiosity persists, a rental is advisable before committing to a purchase.