The Greatest Showman Blu-ray Review

"The Greatest Showman" on Blu-ray ushers audiences into a world of visual splendor with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.40:1. Captured digitally with Alexa cameras and finalized at a 4K DI, this disc is yet another triumph from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. The video quality truly benefits from cinematographer Seamus McGarvey's intricate lighting choices, which enhance fine details and color richness. For example, Barnum's red topcoat stands out dramatically against darker backgrounds, with even the tiniest imperfections vividly visible. Such detail draws viewers into the spectacle, augmented by gorgeously lit scenes and a deliberately dreamlike feeling enhanced by soft CGI backgrounds.

Color saturation is handled masterfully, with lush reds, purples, and various secondary hues creating a visually vibrant experience. Noteworthy is Anne Wheeler's lilac costume and her intense pink hair, which explode off the screen with vibrant clarity. Contrast is pitch-perfect, achieving gloriously crisp whites and luxurious inky-rich blacks. Bright light sources maintain their brilliance without washing out finer details, contributing to an extraordinary three-dimensional image quality. The meticulous care in preserving brightness ensures that even the darkest shadows retain integrity, never obscuring details but rather enhancing depth perception.

Intricate detailing extends beyond lighting and color, effectively showcasing textures in fabrics and skin. Details like individual bricks in buildings and the threading in costumes are rendered with striking clarity. The 1080p transfer allows for lifelike textures and natural facial complexions that elevate the overall viewing experience to pure demo material. For those expecting a brown hue representative of the 1800s setting, it integrates seamlessly, keeping consistency throughout. Altogether, this Blu-ray presentation of "The Greatest Showman" offers a stunning visual treat that captures the exuberance and vibrancy of the film with professional fervor.

The audio presentation of "The Greatest Showman" on Blu-ray leverages a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix, providing a dynamic and immersive experience that impresses from the outset. The contemporary score, rich with low-end percussive effects, resonates vividly across the soundstage, effectively immersing the audience in the narrative. Notably, the soundtrack's mid-range is clear and expansive, enabling clean separation and distinction among the various instruments, creating an engaging wall of sound that approximates the experience of a live performance. Dialogue clarity is maintained throughout, even during busy and complex sequences, ensuring every spoken word and lyrical nuance is conveyed with precision.

Musical numbers benefit significantly from thunderous low-end frequencies, reaching down to an impressive 13Hz in some scenes, which add depth and impact to both songs and action sequences. These bass notes are powerful enough to shake home theater setups and might even necessitate a heads-up to the neighbors. The mix captures the ambient elements beautifully, such as stomping feet and cheering crowds, with ambient effects consistently placed throughout side and rear channels, enhancing the immersive feel.

While the surround channels primarily highlight musical performances, creating an enveloping soundfield during these moments, their use for ambient environmental effects could be more consistent. Scenes set in bustling city environments or within a circus often leave the rear soundstage relatively quiet, which can be noticeable during extended segments of dialogue-driven plot development. Nevertheless, the overall audio mix is superbly crafted, delivering a rich auditory experience that complements the visual spectacle of "The Greatest Showman," making it an auditory delight for enthusiasts.

The extras on "The Greatest Showman" Blu-ray offer a robust and engaging package for fans of musical theater, providing deep dives into various aspects of production and the movie's iconic musical numbers. Standout features include extensive behind-the-scenes footage, detailed reviews of every song in the score, and engaging interviews with the cast and crew. The Sing Along version of the film, complete with highlighted lyrics, is particularly appealing to fans. Director Michael Gracey's insightful audio commentary adds value for those interested in the filmmaking process. These extras collectively offer a comprehensive overview of the movie's creation and its broader cultural impact.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Family Behind The Greatest Showman: Interviews with cast and crew, table read, and rehearsal footage.
• The Songs: Featurettes devoted to each tune in the score.
• The Spectacle: Focus on characters and choreography.
• Concept Art: Collection of artwork.
• Storyboards: Extended storyboard sequences.
• Music Machine: Direct access to each song sequence with a Sing Along option.
• Sing Along: Entire film with subs for sung moments.
• Audio Commentary by Michael Gracey
• Theatrical Trailers

The Greatest Showman is an exhilarating musical drama that juxtaposes historical dramatization with a sense of pure fantasy, skillfully omitting certain grim historical realities while delivering a spectacle energized by contemporary music and vibrant performances. Directed by Michael Gracey in his feature-film debut, the film features Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum—a charming and dynamic portrayal that condenses decades of Barnum's life into a vibrant and feel-good narrative. Despite historical liberties, the film effectively captures Barnum’s rise from rags to riches, his romance and marriage to Charity (Michelle Williams), and his extravagant circus featuring societal outcasts. The movie’s thematic essence lies in lauding diversity, celebrating humanity, and fulfilling dreams through dynamic song sequences and beautifully choreographed dance numbers.

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul's score stands out with its modern flair, departing from the vaudevillian ambience of previous Barnum adaptations. Their work resonates through songs like “This Is Me,” performed by Keala Settle, which encapsulates the film’s spirit of embracing individuality. The soundtrack enriches scenes with emotional depth—whether in the breathtaking choreography of trapeze artist Anne Wheeler (Zendaya) or the stirring vocals of Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson), voiced by Loren Allred in “Never Enough.” Gracey's background in visual effects lends a polished aesthetic to production, characterized by inventive framing and cinematic touches that transform each musical number into an audaciously entertaining moment.

Supported by a stellar cast, including Zac Efron as playwright Philip Carlyle and Zendaya as Anne Wheeler, The Greatest Showman navigates predictable plot hurdles with charm and wit. Jackman’s magnetic performance anchors the narrative, while Michelle Williams' understated role complements the film's emotional core. Although the story sometimes glosses over deeper aspects of Barnum's life, the unyielding pace and buoyant tone ensure continuous engagement. Ultimately, The Greatest Showman offers an unapologetically joyful and visually arresting musical experience that underscores why audiences love escapism through cinema.

Review: The Greatest Showman (Blu-ray)

"The Greatest Showman" is a cinematic spectacle that dazzles with flamboyant visuals and an energetic narrative. Starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Michelle Williams, the film chronicles the unconventional life of P.T. Barnum, wrapping it in an engaging fairytale that juxtaposes imagination with reality. The story, driven by a lively pace, portrays themes of ambition and overcoming adversity. With an array of electrifying tunes by Academy Award winners Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, the soundtrack resonates deeply, particularly the standout anthem "This Is Me." These elements collectively make the movie a captivating experience that appeals to a broad audience.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray edition is exceptional. The video quality is nothing short of stunning, offering demo-worthy visuals that bring the vibrant world of Barnum to life in sumptuous high definition. The DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack is an auditory delight, delivering impeccable clarity and depth that enhances the musical numbers, making them irresistible to sing and dance along to. The disc also includes a compact but informative set of bonus features that provide deeper insights into the film's creation and underlying themes, enriching the overall viewing experience for audiences of all ages.

In conclusion, while I rated "La La Land" slightly higher, "The Greatest Showman" offers an incomparable enjoyment through its audacious and heartwarming narrative. Despite some anachronistic musical choices, director Michael Gracey's meticulous staging ensures that both younger viewers and older musical aficionados will find much to appreciate. Fox has delivered a Blu-ray with top-notch technical merits and appealing supplements. Recommended for anyone seeking a jubilant escape into the world of musical fantasy.