Blu-ray Movie Reviews

During the Georgian period in England the Bennet family is in dire financial shape. Mr. Bennet (Donald Sutherland) has five daughters and an overbearing wife (Brenda Blethyn), but if the old man keels over, the family estate passes to a distant cousin and the girls would be at his mercy. In order to have a better grasp on her future, Mrs. Bennet prepares her daughter to marry into suitable families with one requirement—money. However, when Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) comes to town for the summer things may not go according to plan.

Based upon Jane Austen's novel of the same name, Pride and Prejudice is the ultimate chick flick. Unfortunately for me, it happens to be one of my wife's favorite films and I've had to endure it more times than I care to admit. Thankfully Keira Knightly stars as young Elizabeth and she's easy on the eyes and is a great actress.

Universal has ported over the VC-1/1080p encode from the HD DVD with fabulous results. Detail is excellent in both interior and exterior shots whether in the individual blades of grass or the intricate patterns in the wallpaper. Blacks are inky and shadows well resolved, although the colors don’t necessarily jump-off the screen.

The film features and engrossing DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack. Stereo imaging across the font is wide and dynamic with the surround speakers providing suitable ambience with the occasional discrete effect during a rare thunderstorm or at a social gathering.

All of the supplements port over from the HD DVD and include a conversation with the cast, a closer look at Jane Austen, and some behind-the-scenes featurettes regarding the production.

Keira Knightly proved that she was more than a pretty face when she earned an Oscar nomination for her role. The film is enjoyable, but it definitely tilts to a female perspective, but at least the presentation is good enough to keep my attention. Recommended.

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Release Date: January 26, 2009
Studio: Universal

Movie: 9/10
Picture: 9/10
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
Belkin 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