Cinderella Blu-ray Review

The Signature Collection Blu-ray release of "Cinderella" presents the beloved classic with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, identical to the one seen in the Diamond Edition release. The film is faithfully rendered in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. With consistently sharp imagery, the transfer ensures viewers experience the stunning detail and clarity synonymous with high-definition. This consistency extends to color saturation levels, which exhibit a superb balance between muted tones and splendidly vivid hues, each element harmoniously coexisting without visual discord.

Technically, the presentation maintains impressively pure black levels, which contribute to the depth and richness of the image. Notably, there is no visible banding within the frame, a testament to the careful digital remastering process that allows the entire movie to sparkle with a pristine quality. Whether revisiting this timeless story or experiencing it for the first time, the Blu-ray's meticulously crafted transfer ensures "Cinderella" shines brightly in high definition, further solidifying its place as an animated masterpiece.

The audio presentation of the Blu Ray release of "Cinderella" retains the same DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 and DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 soundtracks originally featured on the Diamond Edition. The enhanced DTS-HD MA 7.1 sound mix subtly expands Oliver Wallace and Paul Smith's background score and the Jerry Livingston-Mack David-Al Hoffman tunes, spreading orchestrations to both the front and rear channels while maintaining vocal clarity centered in the mix. This careful balancing ensures that the expanded sound remains unobtrusive and true to the original film's feel, heightening the auditory experience without overwhelming the stereo imagery.

Alternatively, the DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 track faithfully preserves the original mono soundtrack, providing an option for purists who prefer an authentic cinematic experience. While this mono mix can appear somewhat flat compared to the dynamic 7.1 mix, it serves its purpose well within the release package. Overall, the audio offerings on this Blu Ray provide flexibility and high-quality reproduction, ensuring a captivating and respectful homage to the classic animation's original soundtrack.

The Signature Blu-ray release of "Cinderella" maintains most of the compelling content from the previous Diamond Edition while introducing a few new features for die-hard Disney enthusiasts. A standout new addition is the audio commentary titled "In Walt's Words: The Envisioning of Cinderella," providing a picture-in-picture experience with storyboards, production meetings, and artistic conceptions. Additionally, "Try This Trivia On For Size" delivers brief, engaging trivia hosted by Disney Channel stars Ruth Righi and Ava Kolker. While some previous features like deleted scenes and the Tangled Ever After short are missing, this edition still offers a robust selection of archival content, ensuring a rich multimedia experience of this classic film.

Extras included in this disc:

• In Walt's Words: The Envisioning of Cinderella: Picture-in-picture commentary with production insights.
• Try This Trivia On For Size: Trivia hosted by Ruth Righi and Ava Kolker.
• Diane Disney Miller Introduction: Personal introduction to the film.
• From Rags to Riches: The Making of Cinderella: In-depth making-of documentary.
• The Cinderella That Almost Was: Exploration of early concepts.
• The Magic of the Glass Slipper: A Cinderella Story: Featurette on glass slipper mythology.
• The Real Fairy Godmother: Profile on the inspiration behind the character.
• Alternate Opening Sequence: Unused opening for the film.
• Storyboard to Film Comparison: Opening Sequence: Visual comparison of storyboards to final animation.
• Cinderella Title Song: Original title song clip.
• From Walt's Table: A Tribute to the Nine Old Men: Tribute to Disney's core animators.
• The Art of Mary Blair: Focus on Mary Blair's contributions.
• Behind the Magic: A New Disney Princess Fantasyland: Sneak peek into Fantasyland.
• 1922 Laugh-O-Grams: Cinderella: Early Disney short film.
• Excerpt from The Mickey Mouse Club: Vintage TV show excerpt.
• Radio Programs - Original Radio Shows from the 1940s/50s: Archival radio broadcasts.
• Theatrical Trailers: Collection of release trailers.

This array of extras provides fans with a wealth of historical and creative insights into one of Disney's most beloved films.

Released anew in Disney's 'Signature Collection,' the 1950 animated classic 'Cinderella' continues to captivate audiences with its timeless charm. While the narrative is relatively simplistic, focusing on the archetypal story of a young woman oppressed by her stepmother and stepsisters, Disney's signature artistry and whimsical additions make it enchanting. The film's minimal plot is punctuated by beautiful animation and a delightful musical score, contributing to an enduringly magical experience. The inclusion of anthropomorphic animals such as mice and birds not only adds to the whimsy but also provides pivotal moments of drama and levity. This solidifies 'Cinderella' as a definitive piece of family entertainment.

Technically, the video and audio fidelity remain unchanged from the previous 'Diamond Edition' release, presenting the film with a clarity that respects its original aesthetic. The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo pack offers flexibility and convenience, with the disc presented on a Region A, B, and C coded BD-50 disc. Disney's decision to retain most legacy content while introducing some new extras ensures that long-time fans and new viewers alike can appreciate the complete array of supplemental material. The animation, while not as intricate as some other Disney classics due to the studio's financial constraints at the time, uses minimalist techniques effectively. Shadows and sparse backgrounds often heighten emotional resonance, particularly during key moments like Cinderella's tearful run into the garden.

In this release, Disney successfully preserves the core elements that made 'Cinderella' iconic while enhancing it with thoughtful modifications. The memorable music, notably songs like "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo," performed by talents such as Ilene Woods and Verna Felton, are highlights that maintain their charm. Overall, this edition stands as a perfect example of how less can sometimes be more, offering viewers an enchanting journey through Disney's brand of magic.

The latest Blu-ray release of "Cinderella" is a representation of Disney's unwavering commitment to preserving its animated treasures. This Signature Collection edition essentially re-packages the same stellar video and audio quality that enthusiasts cherished in the Diamond Edition. The enduring charm of this beloved fairy tale is captured with precision, exhibiting vibrant colors and clear sound. The technical performance remains consistent and commendable, with every detail of the animation holding up impressively under scrutiny.

The new release introduces a primary standout feature: the "In Walt’s Words" PiP commentary track. This addition offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look and enriches the viewing experience with historic insights, making it particularly appealing to fervent Disney fans and historical aficionados alike. While it also includes a fresh digital code, the remaining supplemental content mirrors the previous iteration, offering little to no new value for those who own the Diamond Edition. The retention of existing supplements alongside this new commentary track underscores an approach aimed at maintaining heritage rather than innovating.

In conclusion, "Cinderella" is an indelible classic that is a must-have for any serious home video library. This new Signature release isn't heads and shoulders superior to the Diamond Edition, if it is better at all. The new commentary track is the highlight and a delight, and some may be enticed by the fresh digital code, but unless one is a Disney completist and/or is eager to experience the excellent new track, there's little reason to upgrade (video and audio are identical, too). For new buyers, though, it's a must-own.