Blu-ray Movie Reviews

While dozing off, young Alice dreams about falling down a rabbit hole that is populated by a peculiar series of misadventures. The always sensible Alice whirls through a world of contradictions, imagination, and surprises where she encounters amazing creatures including a pocket watch-toting White Rabbit, the imperious Queen of Hearts and her army of playing cards, and a Cheshire Cat with a lingering smile.

Walt Disney was one of the most influential movie makers of the 20th Century and had considered adapting Lewis Carroll's famous story in 1933, but shelved the idea after Paramount released its version. He later had artist David Hall create some concept art for the project, but WWII intervened and his animated version didn't hit the screen until 1951. On a recent visit to the Walt Disney Museum in San Francisco, I discovered that Walt wasn't too keen on the results of the film and complained that it had no "heart." I tend to agree with him and as a kid this was one of my least favorite Disney productions.

Video Highlights

• AVC/1080p encode on a BD-50 disc
• Brilliant color saturation
• Nearly perfect restoration
• Impeccable detail
• Occasional print speck

Audio Highlights

• DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack
• Intelligible dialog
• Occasional discrete effect
• Adequate midrange, especially for a remastered soundtrack

Disney serves up another stellar video presentation of one of its classic animated titles. The bold color palette leaps off the screen and is definitely the highlight of the show.

Bonus Materials br>

• Through the Keyhole PIP experience
• "Reflections on Alice" featurette
• "Operation Wonderland" featurette
• Deleted scenes
• Cheshire Cat Song
• Walt Disney Introductions
• Reference footage
• Thru the Mirror 1939 Mickey Mouse animated short
• "One Hour in Wonderland" 1950 television special
• Theatrical Trailer

This has never been a favorite of mine, but that's relative to the entertainment value of other Walt Disney productions, which are extremely high. There's no doubt the animation is outstanding and the restoration is flawless. Recommended for fans.

Release Date: February 1, 2011
Studio: Disney

Movie: 6/10
Picture: 10/10
Sound: 8/10

Review System

Source
Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player

Display
JVC DLA-RS40 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Integra DTC-80.2 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 power amplifier
Belkin PVA-PF60 power conditioner

Speakers
M&K S-150s (L, C, R)
M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)
SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables
Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)
Best Deal analog-audio cables
PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector

Acoustical treatments from GIK Acoustics