Burlesque Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Burlesque" by Sony strikes an interesting balance between maintaining the film's original visual atmosphere and ensuring high-quality video fidelity, well-suited for the home theater enthusiast. The 1080p transfer excels in portraying the movie's predominantly low-lit club scenes with proficiency, handling shadows and soft details in a manner that is both faithful and deliberate, adhering closely to director Steven Antin's envisioned aesthetic. Despite the film's intentionally subdued visualization, the transfer does not falter in displaying moments of visual splendor. Scenes outside the dimly lit interiors present more discernible details and a broader color palette, particularly in brighter scenes where the meticulous play between light and shadow results in striking imagery, as well as solid contrast levels that add depth to the image.

The video quality is characterized by its clarity, with well-saturated primaries and deep blacks contributing to an image that is both lush and vibrant when the scene allows. The careful manipulation of lighting conditions in soundstage scenes delivers an engaging viewing experience, making the most of the flashy costumes and set designs, which are rendered with impressive detail. However, the transfer does occasionally exhibit slight banding and retains a hint of film grain, aiming for a semi-natural look that somewhat softens the picture without detracting from the overall visual quality.

Overall, while "Burlesque" may not visually bedazzle to the extent some might expect from its promotional material, its Blu-ray video presentation effectively balances between capturing the film's moody aesthetics and delivering a technically accomplished transfer. Lush colors, stable fleshtones, and a clean source material contribute to a pleasing visual experience that should satisfy both film aficionados and fans of musical cinema, despite a modest flattening of image depth and minor instances of banding. The Blu-ray ensures that viewers can appreciate both the intricacies of the film's musical numbers and its quieter, more intimate moments with equal fidelity.

The Blu-ray audio presentation of "Burlesque" is an audacious and triumphant sonic experience, brought to life through a Sony DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It delivers a soundscape that is both exuberant and precise, managing to capture the vibrant essence of the film's music and the dynamic ambiance of Los Angeles with aplomb. The energetic music and hard-hitting vocals of each song take full advantage of this setup, pushing sound systems to their limits while still maintaining a pristine clarity that leaves room for subtler sounds during quieter moments. Dialogue is crisply handled by the center channel, ensuring that every word is perfectly integrated into the bustling city life recreated with such attention to detail, including the sounds of passing cars and distant music beats which seamlessly envelop the listener.

Moreover, the soundtrack excels in delivering an immersive club atmosphere, thanks to its superior dynamic range and meticulous balance between the powerful performances of Aguilera and Cher and the surrounding environmental sounds. This audio track is keenly aware of its space, subtly but effectively utilizing surround channels to expand the audio field, enveloping the listener in a 360-degree auditory experience that is both engaging and nuanced. The bass frequencies are impressive, providing ample weight without descending into unwelcome distortion or muddiness, ensuring that every note and vocal nuance is felt as much as heard.

This DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is a celebration of musicals, offering an impeccable blend of potency, fidelity, and detail. It ramps up during musical numbers to invigorate the senses yet remains utterly precise, resisting distortion even at its most exuberant moments. Subtle details and ambient sounds are not overlooked, adding layers of depth to the audio presentation. "Burlesque" on Blu-ray thus stands out for its superior lossless track, which not only complements but elevates the viewing experience, making it a must-listen for fans of the genre and audiophiles alike.

The Blu-ray extras for "Burlesque" are extensive and cater well to fans of the film, combining a rich array of behind-the-scenes content with excellent presentation. The standout is the audio commentary by writer/director Steven Antin, who provides a thorough and engaging insight into the film's creation, touching upon themes, design, cast dynamics, and a multitude of technical aspects. This enthusiasm and depth of knowledge set a high bar that is well complemented by the other extras. The "Burlesque Jukebox" offers viewers the unique opportunity to enjoy the film's musical numbers in their full, unedited glory. Additional highlights include an alternate opening, which presents a restructured version of the film's commencement, and a blooper reel that, while standard in nature, adds a light-hearted touch. Technical presentations are superb throughout, ensuring these extras not only enlighten but entertain.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful commentary by Writer/Director Steven Antin.
• The Burlesque Jukebox: Full-length, uncut musical performances from the film.
• Alternate Opening: A reimagined beginning to the movie.
• Blooper Reel: A collection of outtakes and mishaps.
• Burlesque is Back!: Exploration of the modern evolution of Burlesque.
• The Performers: The Cast of Burlesque: Praise and insights on the performances within the film.
• Setting the Stage: A look at production design and photography.
• Inside the Dressing Room: Insights into the film's costume design.
• The Set List: Discussion on the music and choreography.
• Previews: Additional trailers from Sony.
• MovieIQ: Interactive movie-watching experience.
• BD-Live: Internet-connected features.
• DVD Copy: A standard DVD version of the film.

'Burlesque,' directed by Steven Antin, despite featuring the dazzling duo of Cher and Christina Aguilera, fails to deliver a memorable cinematic experience. The film revisits the familiar narrative of a small-town girl with big dreams, Ali (Aguilera), moving to Los Angeles to make it big. She lands a gig in a burlesque club run by Tess (Cher), setting the stage for what could have been a thrilling musical journey. However, the script falls into a predictable pattern without offering anything new or exciting to the genre. It becomes quickly apparent that 'Burlesque' heavily borrows elements from predecessors like 'Chicago' and 'Coyote Ugly,' yet lacks the originality or depth to stand on its own. Aguilera’s performance, primarily focusing on her vocal talent, is commendable but is not enough to uplift the overall lackluster narrative.

The film tries to emulate the vibrancy and energy associated with musicals but ends up feeling like an aimless meander through clichéd plot points. Despite Antin’s attempt at creating visually appealing numbers and having a cast capable of powerful performances, ‘Burlesque’ struggles to captivate. The musical numbers, while entertaining, fail to mask the film's substantial narrative deficiencies. The characterization is feeble, leaving little room for the actors to explore or expand their roles beyond the superficial. Moreover, the movie's pacing and structure contribute to a sense of drag, making its two-hour runtime feel unnecessarily prolonged.

In conclusion, 'Burlesque' might capture temporary attention with its glitzy costumes and set pieces, alongside the star power of Cher and Aguilera, but it ultimately falters due to a lack of substantial storytelling and character development. The film represents a missed opportunity to blend musical flair with a compelling story, resulting in a forgettable foray into the musical genre. Despite efforts from a talented cast, 'Burlesque' serves as a reminder that eye-catching visuals and stellar vocals are not enough to compensate for a threadbare script devoid of innovation or emotional depth.

The Blu-ray release of "Burlesque" presents an amalgam of nostalgic allure and modern execution, albeit with mixed success. The film itself, while not lacking in earnest performances from its headline stars Cher and Christina Aguilera, succumbs to a narrative that is far from groundbreaking. Its adherence to genre clichés and a predictably linear storyline detracts from the otherwise engaging performances and production numbers that pepper the film. The consensus points to a movie that is watchable primarily due to its charismatic cast and the high production values evident in both the visual and sound design.

In terms of technical specification, Sony's Blu-ray package of "Burlesque" impresses with its fine 1080p video transfer that enriches the visual spectacle of its musical numbers, alongside a dazzling lossless soundtrack that does justice to Aguilera's vocal prowess and the film's array of catchy tunes. Furthermore, the disc is equipped with an array of extras that might appear overly generous for a film criticized for its lack of originality and depth. This discrepancy between the film's content and the quality of its physical release forms a stark contrast that might attract aficionados of superlative Blu-ray presentations, even if the movie itself does not inspire repeated viewings.

Conclusively, while "Burlesque" may not redefine or substantially contribute to the musical genre, its Blu-ray release stands out for technical excellence in audiovisual presentation and supplementary content. The film, hindered by a prolonged runtime and a story that retreats into comfort rather than challenging boundaries, finds redemption in its dedicated performances and high-caliber production elements. As such, it might warrant a rental for those intrigued by its cast or for collectors who prioritize the technical merits of a Blu-ray release over the narrative innovation of the film it houses.