- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1/2.40:1
- Video Codec: AVC MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080p/24 (23.976Hz)
- Audio Codec: English DTS-HDMA 7.1 (48 kHz/24-bit), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Tracks
- Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
- Subtitles Color: White
- Region: ABC (Region-Free)
- Rating: PG
- Run Time: 130 Mins
- Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray 3D)
- Digital Copies: iTunes
- Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Blu-ray Release Date: June 11, 2013
- List Price: $44.99
Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:3.5/5]
Video Quality
HD: [Rating:5/5]
3D Effect: [Rating:5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(The below TheaterByte screen captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray Discs and losslessly compressed in the PNG format. There should be no loss of picture quality with this format. All screen captures should be regarded only as an approximation of the full capabilities of the Blu-ray format.)
The Film
[Rating:3.5/5]
Oz the Great and Powerful tells the story of Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician. When Diggs is sent away to the Land of Oz, he initially wonders if he may have hit the jackpot – a world full of colors and magic. That is until he meets the three witches (respectively played by Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams), who aren’t at all convinced he’s the saving grace everyone’s expecting.
Going into Oz the Great and Powerful, my expectations were mixed. While I find James Franco to be a highly underrated actor, I was disappointed by another fantasy-based film a few years back in Alice in Wonderland. Not that Johnny Depp delivered a poor performance, more Tim Burton’s quirky direction just didn’t click with me. With that said, I’ll admit that Oz surprised me. As I had mentioned, I didn’t think this one would work; maybe it was Franco, or the beautiful Mila Kunis, or maybe the more capable Sam Raimi (who can typically deliver big budget films). Whatever the case may be, I found myself enjoying this one.
Successfully able to re-imagine the famous Wizard of Oz tale, Director Sam Raimi delivers here. The use of vibrant colors (as mentioned below) help to create the kind of world that draws the viewer in. Heck, even if the audience IS NOT enjoying the film, I can’t imagine a person not enjoying the beautiful worlds Raimi and his crew have created. The acting also helps here. Franco, as one might be able to figure out from my reviews of his films, is one of the more underrated actors in Hollywood. While he is beginning to receive more attention (rightfully so,) I still feel his brighter years are ahead of him.
Outside of that, the best way to sum up Oz the Great and Powerful is this – the whole film is just a fun, enjoyable time.
Video Quality
HD: [Rating:5/5]
3D Effect: [Rating:5/5]
Oz the Great and Powerful travels to Blu-ray 3D with a stunning, vibrantly beautiful Blu-ray 3D presentation. Initially opening up in a 1.33:1 framed presentation (as evident by screenshot #1,) the film transitions over to its 2.40:1 framed, AVC MPEG-4 encoded 3D presentation nearly 15 minutes into the film. It’s here that the beauty of this transfer is shown. Colors are oh so vibrant, with rich, clear blues, reds, greens and sun yellows. Detail, whether facial close ups or wider, exterior sequences, result in an accurate, consistent use of detail.
3D-wise, this is one of the strongest 3D presentations to date. The locales of both Oz or Kansas, result in an eye-popping (pun intended) 3D image. Water droplets splash into the forefront of the screen, while winter elements like snow and wind, all but help to create an image that places the viewer right in the middle of it all. Occasionally (more for the family folk reading this,) there are a few scarier moments (see screenshot #8) where a few creatures can thrust themselves at the screen. Outside of this little side note, this is an excellent 3D offering from Disney.
Audio Quality
[Rating:5/5]
Audio-wise, Oz hits with a powerful, consistent DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz/24-bit) offering from Disney, which is equally as impressive as the aforementioned 3D presentation. Dialogue is well reproduced via the center channel, with no instance of drop out. Atmosphere is some of the best I’ve heard out of any 2013 title thus far. Whether it be the initially opening moments, or the transfer over to Kansas, the surround speakers are constantly active throughout. Mixing in the film’s score by Danny Elfman, or the varying discrete effects (creatures screeching,) this is an true aural presentation by Disney. No need to award more accolades here folks, just listen and enjoy.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]
All included features are presented in High Definition:
- Trailer – A trailer for the upcoming Monsters University in shown in 3D.
- Digital Copy – A Digital Copy of the film has been included.
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:3.5/5]
For Blu-ray 3D fans, look no further than Disney’s picture perfect 3D presentation for their Oz the Great and Powerful. While I would have liked to see more of the features included in the separate 2D edition, fans of 3D will want to add this one to their collection. (Editor’s note: the 2D Blu-ray is available to purchasers of Oz the Great and Powerful for a nominal mail-in fee of $5.00)
Additional Screen Captures
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Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:3.5/5]
Video Quality
HD: [Rating:5/5]
3D Effect: [Rating:5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:0.5/5]