Bedtime Stories Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of Bedtime Stories boasts a pristine 1080p High Definition transfer, maintaining the film's original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Detail quality is consistently high throughout, from wide shots to close-ups, with no noticeable issues such as grain or digital noise reduction. The color palette is notably broad and vibrant, particularly enhanced by the film's fantasy sequences which feature visually stimulating scenarios, from Roman times to futuristic worlds. Black levels are deep and well-defined, enhancing the overall image sharpness and creating a rich visual experience.

In terms of technical execution, the video presentation excels with its saturated colors, strong contrast, and impressive three-dimensional depth. Low lighting scenes retain significant depth, and shadow delineation is precise with inky blacks providing convincing dimensionality. Small issues such as slightly oversaturated skintones and occasional noise in nighttime shots are present but do not detract from the overall high quality. The transfer is impressively clean, free from distracting artifacts or print inconsistencies.

Despite minor pitfalls like occasional miscolored moments and inconsistent sharpness in certain scenes, the visual presentation of Bedtime Stories makes a strong impact. The film's bright, textured aesthetic almost rivals that of animated features, with excellent contrast and crisp detail throughout. These elements underscore Disney's unwavering commitment to delivering top-tier high-definition content.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Bedtime Stories" is delivered via a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which performs competently for its genre, offering a clean and engaging auditory experience. Dialogue, which forms a core mechanic of the storytelling, is well-rendered through the center channel, maintaining clarity and coherence throughout. The surround channels are diligently employed to create an immersive environment that underscores the narrative's whimsical tone, evidenced by the lively ambient sounds ranging from the chirping of birds to the clattering of hotel kitchenware. Directionality and balance are generally commendable, ensuring that both subtle and prominent audio cues are effectively presented without detracting from the viewer's immersion.

However, there are elements that are less than stellar. The sound design, while active, occasionally overreaches with its aggressive rear speaker activity and an overwhelming dynamic range that may disrupt the listening experience. While scenes involving roaring Ferrari engines or chariot gallops are convincingly portrayed, the overall mix sometimes loses finesse, resulting in a soundscape that can be more disorienting than engaging. Low frequency effects, while certainly present, do not assert much intensity, providing a supportive backdrop rather than a commanding presence.

Even with these minor shortcomings, the surround mix accomplishes its primary objective—bringing the vivid dreams and fantasies to life. The background score, though largely forgettable, is seamlessly integrated with both discrete and ambient sounds to encapsulate the film’s ebullient spirit. Despite some heavy-handed moments, younger audiences will likely find the dynamic, sometimes bombastic audio engaging. Overall, the audio track delivers a solid performance suitable for the colorful and energetic nature of "Bedtime Stories."

The Blu-ray extras for "Bedtime Stories" offer a somewhat underwhelming experience, especially given its 3-disc packaging. The supplemental content includes a collection of humorous yet unremarkable bloopers and deleted scenes, alongside brief featurettes that delve into the movie's characters and special effects. Notably thin in depth, these extras may not hold the interest of a discerning audience looking for more comprehensive behind-the-scenes content. However, the high-definition presentation does ensure that the limited additional material is at least visually appealing. For those not wholly invested in extensive extras, these features might nevertheless provide some minor entertainment value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Until Gravity Do Us Part: A glimpse into the making of the space-themed fight sequence.
• To All the Little People: Behind-the-scenes with the young stars of the film.
• It's Bugsy: Insights on bringing the bug-eyed guinea pig to life using animals and CGI.
• Laughter is Contagious: A compilation of amusing outtakes.
• Cutting Room Floor: A collection of 12 deleted scenes.
• Disney BD-Live: Online interactive features.
• DisneyFile Digital Copy: Standard-definition version for portable devices.
• Bonus Disc - DVD version: Standard definition copy of the film.

"Bedtime Stories" as a Blu-ray release presents itself as a mixed bag. The film stars Adam Sandler as Skeeter Bronson, a handyman who dreams of managing his father's former hotel. When tasked with babysitting his niece and nephew, Skeeter discovers that his imaginative bedtime stories somehow turn into reality. Despite a promising, whimsical premise designed for family entertainment, the execution leaves much to be desired. Sandler’s attempts to blend his comedic style with a Disney-esque family appeal fall flat, alienating both children and his long-time fans. The resulting film oscillates awkwardly between too soft and sappy for adults and too convoluted and slow-paced for kids.

The narration lacks coherence, and the script is cluttered with poorly integrated subplots, significantly detracting from narrative stability. Supporting characters, such as the greedy hotel owner Barry Nottingham (Richard Griffiths) and the conniving Kendall (Guy Pearce), are one-dimensional, offering little in terms of depth or memorability. Highlights are sporadic, with only the children’s imagination sequences and Russell Brand's lively performance providing brief moments of engagement. However, these scenes are not enough to salvage the overall production from its predictable and formulaic structure.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray offers commendable video and audio quality but does not compensate for the underwhelming cinematic content. The bonus features included in the 3-disc set are also lackluster, unlikely to provide additional value for most viewers. "Bedtime Stories" ultimately comes across as a film that fails to hit its mark on multiple fronts, making it a questionable purchase. Prospective viewers might find it more prudent to rent before committing to ownership, particularly when superior family-oriented alternatives are readily available.

The Blu-ray edition of "Bedtime Stories" aspires to rekindle the whimsical charm of classic family films like "The Princess Bride." Yet, it fundamentally misses the mark with its forgettable performances, contrived characters, and superficial life lessons. While Adam Sandler's antics may entertain some children, the film's overall contribution to children's entertainment falls short when compared to what's readily available in the market. The Blu-ray boasts a visually stunning video transfer from Walt Disney, but this is counterbalanced by a lumbering DTS-HD Master Audio track. The audio heavily emphasizes volume over intricate sound design, diminishing its impact.

Despite its high-quality visuals, the sound mix leaves much to be desired. It delivers a sub-par auditory experience that arguably does not match the standard set by the visual presentation. Supplementary materials provided with the Blu-ray also fail to impress; they are short and lack depth, which might disappoint collectors and fans looking for more comprehensive content. Nevertheless, parents may find the film effective in calming their children, though it primarily serves as a temporary distraction rather than a memorable cinematic experience.

In conclusion, "Bedtime Stories" on Blu-ray is an amalgamation of visual brilliance and auditory mediocrity, held back further by uninspired storytelling and weak supplemental features. While it may suffice for a one-time watch to keep the kids entertained, it does not stand out as a worthy addition to a home theater collection. Those who truly enjoy the film might find it satisfactory, but a broader audience will likely find little incentive to revisit it frequently.