Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Ultimate Edition (Blu-ray Review)

December 8th, 2009 Blu-ray-au Posted in Blu-ray Movie Reviews | Comments Off

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: Ultimate Edition (Blu-ray Review)

The airy filler that dominates this series opener will make fans long for later entries…

Regardless of what might be said or written about author J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter mythos, her novels and Warner Brothers’ subsequent box office smashes have dared to do two things few others have: allow a successful series’ young heroes to age, and allow the tone of their tales to age right along with them. Watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone some eight years after its theatrical release — in which time a steady stream of ever-darkening Potter entries have al…

Video

The Sorcerer’s Stone may have received Ultimate Edition packaging, but its 1080p/VC-1 transfer is strikingly similar (if not identical) to the video presentation featured on Warner’s 2007 Blu-ray release. Both the theatrical and extended cuts of the film boast warm, vibrant colors and a variety of showcase sequences, but suffer from mild contrast inconsistencies and intermittent softness, both of which undermine the picture’s finer qualities. Blacks, though often deep and well-resolved,…

Audio

Regardless of whether you enjoy Harry’s first adventure or find it lacking, it’s tough to walk away from The Sorcerer’s Stone without humming themes from John Williams’ rousing score. But trust me… it’s even more difficult after hearing it erupt through your speakers courtesy of Warner’s newly produced DTS-HD Master Audio tracks. Yes, the theatrical cut is blessed with a DTS-HD MA 6.1 mix and the extended cut only earns a DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix, but both are sonic standouts and both deserv…

Supplements

Despite its size, four-disc payload, list of special features, and “Ultimate Edition” moniker, this newest release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone doesn’t have as much to offer as fans might expect. Yes, it includes both the theatrical and extended cuts of the film, and yes, it serves up the first admittedly mesmerizing portion of a planned eight-part documentary, but its touted Picture-in-Picture experience is an inconsistent track that falls quite flat, most of its second disc…

Final Words

An imperfect film receives an imperfect release. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a solid introduction to Rowling’s universe, but it falters too often to soar. Likewise, Warner’s Ultimate Edition suffers from a problematic video transfer and a relatively underwhelming supplemental package. Luckily, a pair of strong DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, two versions of the film, and the first part of what promises to be a stunning, series-long documentary saves the release from mediocrity……

Read full review: Blu-ray.com