Bedtime Stories Blu-ray Review

At least Bedtime Stories looks good, a comparatively big budget (for a comedy) movie with some shiny special effects presented here on Blu-ray with a 1080p High Definition rendition in the movie's original theatrical aspect ratio of widescreen 2.35:1. Detail is excellent throughout, from the longer shots (even during the dream sequences) to the close facial representations, with no noticeable softness, no grain and negligible digital side-effects (i.e. DNR). The colour scheme is extremely broad, mainly thanks to the fantasy sequences. Whether set in age-old or futuristic worlds the Roman era, Star Wars-esque arena, Wild West etc. are all vividly over-the-top and really do provide all the bright colours you can imagine. Black levels are well retained, shadows kept deep and solid and noteworthy (particularly in the scene with all the warmly-glowing candles). Overall it is a pretty glossy, sharp video presentation.

To accompany the shiny, keen video rendition for the pretty-looking kids-fantasy-comedy we get a reasonably voracious DTS-HD track that brings all the vivid dreams to life. For the most part we get dialogue - story-telling narration running commonplace throughout - and it all comes across clearly and coherently mainly through the fronts and centre channels. The effects are often a big thing, and get decent enough representation in this respect, both in terms of ambience and big screen fun, with everything from the roaring Ferrari engines to the galloping horses pulling chariots. It may not be a superbly observed, highly nuanced track, but it does all the right stuff for this kind of glossy kids' comedy. The score is also reasonably suited to the material, and again reasonably well represented, although it is largely forgettable. Overall a solid aural rendition of the disappointing movie.

Although this is a 3-disc set, the extras are a little bit disappointing because basically what we get is the Blu-ray disc (with the extras), a DVD copy of the movie and a Digital copy of the movie for your PC/portable player. In terms of actual extras we get some funny if unoriginal (and unexceptional) bloopers and deleted scenes, as well as two small featurettes - Get to know Bugsy the Bug-Eyed Guinea Pig (which looks at this odd little CG creature) and A Behind the Scenes Look at the Special Effects. Although perhaps fans of this movie may not have come here for extravagant extras, this is a little bit thin for what is, ostensibly, a 3-disc set.
Bedtime Stories is a big disappointment, not just for Adam Sandler fans, but for comedy fans in general - and even for the kids that it is perhaps (badly) aimed at. It fails on every level, being utterly misguided and diluting the kind of performances you would expect from all those involved in a purported attempt to entertain a younger generation who will likely be unmoved by the lacklustre fantastical moments on offer. On Blu-ray we get perfectly good video and audio, but a disappointing set of extras for such a 3-disc set. Still, fans will be happy to get this package, but those who are considering it should also consider a rental first to decide whether or not to pick it up.