Disney's Beauty And The Beast is the live-action adaptation of the studio's animated classic. (Gary Reber)
Special features include an Enchanted Table Read (HD 13:31); four featurettes: A Beauty Of A Tale (HD 27:08), The Women Behind Beauty And The Beast (HD 05:17), Making A Moment With Celine Dion (HD 03:24), and From Song To Screen: Making The Musical Sequences (HD 13:26); nine deleted scenes (HD 06:23); an extended song: “Days In The Sun” (HD 04:08); the “Beauty And The Beast” music video by Ariana Grande and John Legend (HD 04:02); making the music video (HD 02:07); 12 Disney song selections (HD 33:09); upfront previews; and a digital copy.
The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, is gorgeous. The color palette is engagingly vivid, with rich and warm hues, strong primaries, and brilliant highlights. Reds, such as the rose color, are striking. There is an exquisitely diverse assortment of colors that will amaze, especially in the “Be Our Guest” scene. At the same time, fleshtones are perfectly natural. Contrast is superb with deep, solid blacks, gloomy shadow delineation, and spectacular highlights. The wolf-attack scene exhibits frozen snow and ice, contrasted by Belle's and Philippe the horse’s bright highlights. Resolution is excellent, resulting in a very sharp and clear visual experience. Fine detail is exhibited throughout in the incredibly intricate production design. All manner of nuanced detail is evident. During close-ups, facial features, hair, beards, clothing, and object textures are finely detailed. This is a spectacular dimensional spatial visual experience with splendid cinematography throughout. Fans of the Disney animated classic will be enthralled by this live-action reference presentation. (Gary Reber)
The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is spectacular. At the start there is an option to “Play Movie With Overture” with full orchestra in glorious 7.1-channel surround. Of course, the music is central to the presentation and is nicely recorded with great songs and vocal execution. The music occupies an extremely wide and deep soundstage and immersive soundfield presence, thanks to the enhancement delivered by the four surround channels. Atmospherics are wonderful, often extremely nuanced and directionalized, as well as Foley sound effects. Sound effects are at times powerful, enhanced with deep, solid .1 LFE bass extension. Dialogue is nicely integrated spatially throughout. This is a magnificent holosonic® soundtrack that is reference quality throughout. (Gary Reber)