Tom & Jerry Blu-ray Review

Tom & Jerry: The Movie adopts a distinctive visual style, merging 3-D animated characters with live-action environments, reminiscent of Who Framed Roger Rabbit but less seamless. The fusion sometimes results in flat, overly bright characters that don't quite blend smoothly, although rainstorm scenes featuring wet fur introduce welcome texture. Despite this, the film's visual presentation on Blu-ray is commendable. The 1.85:1 AVC HD transfer delivers sharp details and an exuberant color palette, although it misses the potential enhancement of a 4K HDR release. Wide shots of New York City and the film's elaborate interiors maintain strong depth and clarity, offering a visually satisfying experience.

The Blu-ray disc is expertly authored, running at a high bit rate with minimal compression artifacts or banding issues, ensuring crisp rendering of both the animated and live-action elements. The vibrant, well-detailed scenes effectively capture the bustle of cityscapes and the grandeur of intricately designed set pieces like weddings and hotel interiors. Even though the lack of a 4K option is disappointing, especially given the movie’s HDR-ready hues, the quality of the current Blu-ray transfer still impresses. Ultimately, while some aspects of the animation integration fall short, the overall video presentation remains highly enjoyable and reliable.

The default Dolby Atmos mix on the Blu-ray presentation of "Tom & Jerry" is exemplary, offering a dynamic and immersive auditory experience. If your receiver does not support Dolby Atmos, it seamlessly folds down into a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track without losing any significant quality. The film's multitude of bustling locales are brought to life with excellent channel separation and panning effects, providing an engaging listening experience. Dialogue remains clear and front-loaded, ensuring it does not get drowned out by the busy soundscapes. The height channels are effectively used, particularly during exterior shots and chase scenes, enhancing the sense of vertical movement - a fitting touch given Jerry’s small stature often leads to lots of overhead activity.

The music selection is robust and diverse, featuring tracks from artists like A Tribe Called Quest, DJ Shadow, Eric B. and Rakim, and Eric Reed. The music cues are well-integrated, strong yet never overpowering the dialogue or sound effects. The inclusion of these varied musical pieces helps keep the auditory experience fresh and engaging. The action sequences notably benefit from this sophisticated audio mix, with scenes featuring high-speed chases showcasing the surround channels' ability to fill the room with realistic and dynamic sound effects.

In essence, the Dolby Atmos mix used for "Tom & Jerry" wonderfully captures the essence of the chaotic yet entertaining antics of this beloved duo. Whether it’s the fast-paced and hectic score complementing the on-screen action or the precise rendering of environmental sounds, the audio presentation stands out as a considerable achievement. Fans of the series and audiophiles alike will find much to appreciate in this meticulous and immersive audio experience.

The Blu-ray of "Tom & Jerry" includes a commendable set of extras that delve into various aspects of the film's production, providing a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look. The disc features deleted scenes, including an alternate opening, gag reels, and detailed featurettes on the animation process and character dynamics. The content effectively spans multiple subjects from storyboarding and green-screening to a whimsical tour of Jerry's home and the film's New York City wildlife. Particularly notable is the "Bringing Tom & Jerry to Life" segment, which showcases the passionate efforts of the cast and crew in reimagining the classic franchise for the big screen. However, some extras, like "Inside the Wedding of Ben and Preeta," feel peripheral to the main allure of Tom and Jerry’s antics.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Ten short scenes, including an alternate opening.
• Gag Reel: Humorous outtakes from production.
• Bringing Tom & Jerry to Life: Multi-part feature on production aspects.
• Tom & Jerry's World: Featurette on working with the lead characters.
• The Feud: #TeamTom vs. #TeamJerry: Cast and crew's preferences.
• Jerry's A House For a Mouse: MTV Cribs-style tour.
• The Tom & Jerry Guide to New York City Wildlife: Overview of other animated animals.
• Inside the Wedding of Ben and Preeta: Featurette on the wedding scene.
• A Scene Comes to Life: Construction of two key scenes.

Tom and Jerry: The Movie offers a combination of nostalgia and modern-day humor that aims to breathe new life into the classic cat-and-mouse duo. The film introduces Tom and Jerry in Manhattan, setting up a half-hearted origin story amidst a posh hotel backdrop. Chloë Grace Moretz stars as Kayla Forester, who deceitfully secures a job at The Royal Gate Hotel, only to discover that Jerry has taken residence there. She enlists Tom's help in a bid to evict Jerry, which spirals into a hectic series of events, including preparations for an Instagram celebrity wedding. Directed by Tim Story, the film attempts to blend live-action with animated characters, akin to Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, yet it falters in fully integrating these elements seamlessly.

Technically, the film delivers an acceptable audiovisual presentation on Blu-ray. The animation is colorful and visually appealing, maintaining the classic look of the characters while adapting them for a contemporary setting. However, the interaction between animated characters and live actors occasionally lacks the fluidity seen in more acclaimed hybrid films. The narrative is straightforward but stretches thin over its runtime, rendering it somewhat monotonous for adult viewers though potentially entertaining for younger audiences. Despite these flaws, some visual gags hark back to the series' early days and provide brief moments of nostalgic enjoyment.

The human characters, led by Moretz and supported by Rob Delaney and Michael Peña, offer competent performances but their roles often overshadow the titular duo. The storyline itself feels watered-down and unremarkable, a far cry from the frenetic humor and timing that defined the original shorts from Hanna-Barbera. Ultimately, Tom and Jerry: The Movie stands as a mediocre reincarnation of a beloved franchise that might please children but will likely leave longtime fans yearning for the charm of the classic episodes.

Tim Story's "Tom & Jerry: The Movie" attempts to rekindle the charm of the classic Hanna-Barbera series but falls short, delivering a lackluster narrative burdened with unengaging human characters and a flimsy script. While it aspires to capture the magic of the original animated adventures, it ultimately feels like a project crafted by committee, lacking the spontaneity and humor that made the originals memorable. Despite these shortcomings, Warner Bros. has ensured that the Blu-ray release boasts an impressive A/V presentation, providing vibrant visuals and clear audio that might appeal to the younger audience.

Although the film does manage to maintain some level of entertainment, particularly for its target demographic, it fails to fully capitalize on its potential, missing out on infusing necessary wit and charm. The extras included in the Blu-ray edition add minimal value and do little to enhance the overall experience. For those only mildly curious about the modern-day interpretation of Tom and Jerry or looking for a rental option, it might just suffice.

In conclusion, "Tom & Jerry: The Movie" is a forgettable entry in the beloved cat-and-mouse franchise's long history. Despite its high production values in terms of A/V quality, the thin plotline and unimpressive character development make it one of the less essential relaunch attempts. Fans of the classic series might do better to revisit the original cartoons and relish in their timeless humor and creativity.