Pete’s Dragon

Pete's Dragon takes place in the forests of the Pacific Northwest where 10-year-old Pete (Fegley), who has been living there for six years after an accident took his parents, befriends a magical dragon, named Elliot. When certain people who have heard Pete's story do not believe him, a man sets out to prove it by capturing the dragon. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director David Lowery, Co-Writer Toby Hallbrooks, and Actors Oakes Fegley and Oona Laurence; the featurettes Notes To Self: A Director's Diary (HD 07:31) and Making Magic (HD 02:12); Disappearing Moments—a montage of the movie's “lost” scenes (HD 09:12); Welcome To New Zealand the location for Pete's Dragon (HD 01:56); the music videos “Nobody Knows” by The Lumineers (HD 03:12) and “Something Wild” by Lindsey Stirling featuring Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness (HD 03:45); bloopers (HD 01:28); upfront previews; and a digital copy.

The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture's location is in a forest area and logging community, and the color palette nicely captures this natural world. Trees are brown and foliage is a canopy of greens. Community buildings and vehicles are perfectly realistic in appearance. Everything is naturally hued. Interiors often exhibit a greenish tint spiked with interior lighting highlights. Fleshtones are natural throughout. Elliot is a big green furry dragon with warm, brownish yellow eyes. Contrast is nicely rendered with deep blacks and revealing shadows. Resolution is a bit soft except for close-ups, but even then a softness veils the finest detail. Still the imagery is engaging and a wonderment to behold for the entire family. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack, while credited as 7.1 channels is, except for brief segments, actually a 5.1-channel affair. At times the sound is dynamic but generally more nuanced, with great atmospherics and deep bass sound effects depicting Elliot's presence, thumping through the forest or in flight. All throughout is an orchestral score that occupies a wide and deep soundstage presence that extends to the surrounds. At times the surrounds are energized for dramatic effects. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with generally good spatial integration. Generally, this is an enjoyable soundtrack that emotionally connects well with the storytelling. (Gary Reber)