Nanny McPhee Returns Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray edition of "Nanny McPhee Returns" presents an exceptional visual experience overall. Encoded in VC-1 at 1080p with a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, the transfer captures high-definition details with resolute clarity and defining sharpness throughout. The film's long-range shots of the lush English countryside are particularly noteworthy for their natural light, well-saturated colors, and remarkable depth of field. Colors play a significant role in the storytelling, rendering with revealing delineation and tonal warmth. The greens of the countryside are especially lush and deep, while darker scenes benefit from stable blacks that offer good dynamic range and discernible gradational highlights.

However, it's worth noting that not all sequences maintain this high level of visual fidelity. Some studio footage appears a bit softer than the outdoor scenes, lacking the sharpness seen in its predecessor. Despite this, fine detail remains robust; fabrics and textures become immediate focal points during close-ups, where each thread in costumes and facial details such as pores, lines, and wrinkles are cleanly visible. The flesh tones come through lifelike and naturally pale, accurately reflecting the cast's complexions.

There are minor drawbacks, notably in the areas where CG effects are employed. The animated sequences, such as those depicting swimming pigs, look subpar and suffer from some aliasing issues, particularly in flyover shots. Despite these minor flaws and occasional instances of aliasing, other digital imperfections are minimal. The shadow delineation stands out with pristinely managed black levels that avoid crushing, ensuring a nearly flawless visual palette.

Overall, "Nanny McPhee Returns" delivers a visually engaging experience that adheres closely to the high standards expected from modern Blu-ray releases.

The audio presentation of "Nanny McPhee Returns" on Blu-ray is exceptional, featuring a well-balanced and immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. Although not aggressively dynamic, the surround sound provides substantive depth and engagement that enhances the whimsical nature of the film. The standout moments are undoubtedly those involving Nanny McPhee's magical cane. Each contact with the ground triggers a powerful LFE impact, creating a resonant bass wave that encapsulates the listener with an enveloping soundstage. Such instances provide a rich auditory experience that rivals even high-octane action movies.

Dialogue clarity is consistently top-notch, ensuring that even the subtlest whispers are cleanly rendered and easily discernible across the center channel. Ambient sounds frequently engage the rear channels with precise panning effects that contribute to a lively soundfield. This meticulous attention to directionality aids in accurately placing voices and actions within the mix, offering a more coherent audio landscape. Moreover, genre-specific foley effects, from piglet oinks to the chaotic sounds of children, are deftly integrated, providing a detailed and engaging auditory experience throughout.

The final sequence, particularly the magical transformation of the Green's wheat harvest, showcases the system’s full breadth with discrete ambient surround activity and authoritative bass response. Additionally, James Newton Howard's underscoring is impeccably mixed, balancing well with dialogue and sound effects without overshadowing them. Altogether, this audio track transforms "Nanny McPhee Returns" into an enthralling auditory feast, making it a standout among family films and bringing an unexpected level of auditory enjoyment to an otherwise kid-centric movie.

The Blu-ray extras for "Nanny McPhee Returns" offer a moderately engaging supplement collection. The director Susanna White provides an insightful audio commentary, though the singular perspective can feel monotonous over time. The 12 deleted scenes, presented in high definition with explanatory titles, offer valuable context and even include an alternate opening. Six brief featurettes cover various aspects of the film's creation, from initial story development to makeup transformations and on-set fun with the child actors. Additional promotional content includes quick insights into specific elements such as the crow, Mr. Edelweiss, and the farm's muddy landscape. The inclusion of BD-Live offers streaming options for other films. These features collectively provide a deeper understanding of the film's production, though they lean heavily on promotional material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by director Susanna White: Informative yet can be monotonous.
• Deleted Scenes: 12 scenes with context and alternate opening.
• New film, new story: Featurette on story development.
• Magical moves: Insights into action scenes with child actors.
• Mr. Edelweiss: Focus on the movie's crow.
• Emma Thompson becomes Nanny McPhee: Makeup transformation process.
• The pigs: Featurette on the piglets.
• The mud: Behind-the-scenes of creating realistic mud.
• My Scenes bookmark feature: Allows bookmarking favorite scenes.
• Pocket Blu app: Companion app for mobile devices.
• BD-Live: Streaming options for additional movies, "Curious George" or "Beethoven's Big Break".

"Nanny McPhee Returns" showcases Emma Thompson reprising her role as the magical nanny with impeccable charm and whimsy, arriving just in time to bring order to Isabel Green's chaotic household. The film, set during World War II, provides a nostalgic backdrop that adds emotional depth. Maggie Gyllenhaal shines as Isabel, lending a’ verisimilitude and emotional weight’ that enhances the narrative flow and offers a more engaging experience compared to its predecessor. The portrayal of Isabel as a steadfast, slightly overworked farm wife is both heartfelt and sincere, making the magical interventions by Nanny McPhee feel consequential within the story's whimsical stakes.

However, despite the captivating performances and occasional moments of genuine warmth, "Nanny McPhee Returns" does not completely escape the pitfalls of its genre. The plot is formulaic, often feeling like a retread of the first film's structure where unruly children are tamed by magical means. The film's attempts at humor rely heavily on exaggerated slapstick and an abundance of potty jokes—elements that might entertain younger viewers but risk alienating older audiences. The insertion of synchronized swimming piglets and other sundry absurdities often detracts from the narrative’s more tender moments, rendering parts of the film more farcical than enchanting.

Visually, the film maintains an effective (if less opulent than the first) production design. The Green farm is depicted with a charming dilapidation that contrasts starkly yet beautifully with some lovely countryside shots. The use of CGI, however, feels overdone at times, substituting genuine magical wonder with computer-generated gimmicks. While Emma Thompson’s script does inject moments of surprise and clever twists—supported by notable performances such as Maggie Smith’s portrayal of Mrs. Docherty—the film ultimately feels like a calculated exercise in family-friendly whimsy. Still, it manages to pull at heartstrings occasionally, especially through Gyllenhaal's evocative portrayal of a beleaguered mother, creating enough magical moments to keep its audience somewhat engaged.

"Nanny McPhee Returns" on Blu-ray offers an enjoyable experience primarily for its intended young audience, though it falls short in providing ample entertainment for accompanying adults. The film thrives on a comedic palette of juvenile humor—think synchronized swimming pigs and various bodily-function gags—which guarantees to captivate children. However, the attempt to balance this with more emotionally engaging content is only partially successful, despite a commendable performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal. The structured format of the McPhee franchise restrains the full potential of its cast, limiting the film's appeal to broader age groups.

Technically, the Blu-ray delivers impressively. The video quality exhibits crisp resolution and vibrant colors, maximizing the visual charm of its whimsical setting. The audio mix stands out with near-perfect clarity, enhancing both dialogue and score, which contributes significantly to the film’s overall atmosphere. The supplemental materials, while abundant, lean more towards promotional content rather than offering deep insights or behind-the-scenes revelations, which might disappoint those seeking more substantial bonus features.

In conclusion, "Nanny McPhee Returns" provides a delightful, if somewhat uneven, viewing experience. It is recommended for families with young children who will appreciate the humor and lively antics. Adults may find it less engaging but can still enjoy the charming performances and technical prowess. Despite its shortcomings in content depth and bonus features, the Blu-ray presentation itself is solid, making it a worthwhile addition to a family movie night.