Digital Review: Strange World

 

Walt Disney Animation Studios' 61st animated feature Strange World tells the tale of the Clade family, a family of adventurers. Jaeger Clade (Dennis Quaid), the family patriarch, is lost during an expedition to get through an impassable mountain range. A quarter of a century later, his son Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal) leads a quiet farming life with his wife Meridian (Gabrielle Union) and his son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White). On the farm they grow Pando, a plant that has revolutionized the world due to its energy giving properties. But Pando is dying and there is a new expedition to find out the cause of the problem with the plants.

The voice cast is wonderful here and each one is solid in their own way. The design of the world is also impressive. There is so much detail to take in and you will watch it again and again to try to see it all. 

Here is a video for the home video release:

Video Quality:

The 1080p video is beautiful and seemingly pushes the HD video to its limits. It is as sharp and clear as any 1080p video I have ever seen. The character faces and clothing are extremely detailed, as are the variety of creatures and the lush landscapes. There is little compression issues here and the blacks are near perfect as are the whites. This will be one of the top reference 1080p videos for the year. 

Audio Quality:

The Dolby 5.1 soundtrack is surprisingly good here. Dialogue is centered and well balanced. The score is rich and engaging, creating a cinematic experience in the home. 

Bonus Features:

• Anatomy of a Scene: Creating A Strange World – Learn about Walt Disney Animation Studios' creative process through a single, visually stunning scene as the filmmaking team puts all of their imagination – and more – on the screen.
• Strange Science – Jaboukie Young-White (voice of Ethan Clade) hosts an exploration of how Walt Disney Animation Studios artists were inspired by real science to create Strange World.
• Creature Feature – Journey into the world beneath Avalonia and meet some of the terrifying, slimy, gassy ­– and sometimes cute – creatures that inhabit this Strange World.
• The Hidden Secrets of Strange World – Uncover the references and characters from some of your favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios films hidden throughout the film, along with some fun facts and behind–the–scenes stories of how Strange World was made.
• Outtakes – Go behind the glass as we join the cast of Strange World inside the recording booth for some fun, flubs and outtakes.

 

Deleted Scenes

• The Ballad of Jaeger Clade
• Lightning Lynx
• Funerals and Promises
• Ethan and Searcher

Conclusion:

Strange World is a good story with a twist and surrounded by great characters. The reference quality video, good audio and a few extras make this a solid recommendation for your collection.

* The movie was given to me by Walt Disney Home Entertainment solely for the purpose of this review. The opinions within the review are purely my own. *