The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D (Disney Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)

 

Picture: B+     Sound: A-     Extras: A-     Film: A

 

 

As a newly released Blu-ray film I praised Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, but as a newly released 3-D Blu-ray title I have my criticisms.  Starting with the question, why?

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas was always an imaginative film ahead of its time and showcased Tim Burton’s genius at its best.  The film had visuals and depth unlike any other and jumpstarted the stop motion animated format; a genre that was in the gutter at best.  So in 2006 when Disney decided to make the film one the first ever 2-D to 3-D conversions I had my doubt; I was excited, but had my doubts.

 

In the end, the film’s 3-D conversion was nothing that harmed the film, but didn’t add anything to it either.  Since I have discussed both the DVD and Blu-ray releases of this film previously on this site I will direct readers to that review, found at the link below:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7528/Tim+Burton%E2%80%99s+The+Night

 

 

Here in this review I will stick to the 3-D conversion of the film, though this release does include the 3-D Blu-ray + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy; so if you did not purchase the previous release this is the one to get.

 

The 3-D conversion of this film was well done and cared for; whereas many 3-D conversions seem blurry or stretched out, The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D blended in seamlessly.  With that said, I feel that many moments that could/should have been 3-D and jumping from the screen were left untouched and others were mindlessly given the enhancement.  This is all lending to my earlier comment that the film benefited little from the upgrade.  Was this a careless cash grab from Disney? Maybe, but I don’t think so.  There was too much care taken and seems like a passion project.  So much passion that Disney has put this film back in limited theatrical release during the holidays for the past 5 years.  I don’t The Nightmare Before Christmas 3-D was necessary, but it didn’t hurt.

 

The film rating here is exclusively based on Blu-ray 3-D release; for specs on the DVD and former Blu-ray release, once again follow the link above.  The 3D Blu-ray is less stellar than the standard Blu-ray, but not bad by any means.  The Lower picture rating is based on the fact that the 3-D doesn’t add anything to the film and is distracting if anything.  The 3-D, whereas well done, does not flow as well as the original Blu-ray release and seems out of place.  The 1080p MVC transfer is also now in a mildly cropped 1.78 X 1 full screen that works but for those who are used to the 1.66 X 1 pillarboxed version this is an odd change.  The colors are slight bright with wonderfully dark inky blacks, the clarity is nice but somewhat off from the standard Blu-ray.  The sound is the same 7.1 Dolby True H-D transfer as the original Blu-ray and sounds just as wonderful; the Danny Elfman scores explode as the film springs the life.

 

The extras are the same as the standard Blu-ray and all found on the standard Blu-ray disc (refer to the previous review).  I was expecting some commentary on the transfer to 3-D but sadly the disc has nothing.  My rating above reflects the extras on the standard Blu-ray disc included; if I were to rate the 3-D extras it would be a ‘D.’

 

A wonderful film that has stood the test of time and will continue to for years to come.

 

 

-   Michael P. Dougherty II