Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Year three at Hogwarts means new challenges for Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) as he learns how to approach a Hippogriff, transform Boggarts with hilarity, and turn back time. But there's danger on the horizon as soul-sucking Dementors are on the prowl and a fearsome wizard Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) escapes Azkaban.

In year four, Harry's name emerges from the Goblet of Fire and he becomes the youngest competitor in the famed Triwizard Tournament. Harry must confront a fire breathing dragon, water demons, and a spooky maze in order to claim the top prize. When all is said and done, the young man must face his mortal enemy, Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).

The tone of the movies are much darker than the first two installments and are geared towards a teenage audience. The pacing of the third film is brisk and mostly holds true to the J.K. Rowling book, but the fourth film isn't nearly as good as it could have been. Frankly, from the fourth year on, Warner should have done what they're doing with The Deathly Hallows and split story into two movies in order to keep all of the characters and subplots found in the books.

Video Highlights

• VC-1/1080p encode on a BD-50 discs
• Excellent detail in close-ups
• Inky blacks
• Natural flesh tones
• Virtually seamless CGI
• Same video encodes as previously released discs

Audio Highlights

• DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtracks
• New audio tracks versus previous release (DTS versus PCM)
• Outstanding dynamic range
• Intelligible dialog
• Powerful score
• Impressive bass response, especially in the third act

The video encodes are identical to the previously released single disc editions, although the audio tracks have changed to DTS-HD MA from PCM (they sound identical).

Bonus Materials (all in SD)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

• Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 3: Creatures (HD)
• TV spots (SD)
• An interview with Alfonso Cuaron (SD)
• Inside the creature shop (HD)
• Additional scenes (HD)
• Theatrical trailers (HD)
• Original DVD supplements (SD)
• Digital Copy

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

• Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4: Sound and Music (HD)
• In-Movie Experience (HD)
• Conversations with the cast (HD)
• TV specials (SD)
• Additional scenes (HD)
• Theatrical trailers (HD)
• Original DVD supplements (SD)
• Digital Copy

Unfortunately neither film includes an extended cut of the films, which Goblet definitely deserves, but the new additions to the eight part documentary featured on each of the Ultimate Editions is worth the upgrade for Potter diehards. Additional goodies include a lot of swag, digital copies of the films, and a collector's boxes that look mighty impressive. Highly recommended.

Release Date: October 19, 2010
Studio: Warner

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Movie: 9/10
Picture: 8/10
Sound: 9/10

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Movie: 8/10
Picture: 8/10
Sound: 9/10

Review System

Source
Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player

Display
JVC DLA-RS1 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Onkyo Pro PR-SC885 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 power amplifier
Panamax M5400PM 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