Disney's new Blu-ray Disc release presents the film on Disc One in its original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio, compressed with the AVC codec. The 1080p video quality is outstanding, with exceptional clarity, vibrant color and deep contrasts. There's virtually no compression artifacting visible, even in the most complex and fast-moving onscreen imagery. The audio is available in both standard Dolby Digital 5.1, as well as Uncompressed 48 kHz/24-bit PCM 5.1 surround. The lossless audio track features a tremendous dynamic range and precise spatial imaging, resulting in a wonderfully smooth and immersive soundfield. It's accurate to say that many people didn't experience quality this good even in theaters back in 2003.
In addition to the film itself, Disc One offers all three of the original audio commentaries from the previous 2-disc Special Edition DVD (including Verbinski and Depp, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and the actors, and the film's writers). The 50GB disc also includes a new documentary on the history of pirates called Scoundrels of the Sea. This is presented in full 1080 resolution as well. You can view this documentary in one of two ways: First, you can activate a BD-Java option that allows you to select various subjects of interest as you're watching the film itself. These are stored in the player's memory until the film ends, at which point you're able to watch a custom version of Scoundrels of the Sea that includes a look at exactly the subjects you selected. You can also access an index menu for the documentary (via the "Reveal Your Treasure" option in movie or "About Scoundrels of the Sea" from the main menu) that lets you view the complete documentary (there are over 30 segments in all, covering many different aspects of pirate lore) or view individual segments as you please. The feature works surprisingly well. Because of its Java content, Disc One takes about a minute to load, at least on my Pioneer BDP-HD1 (you see a spinning coin animation as it does so), but then it works perfectly once it's finished. The disc is also hosted by the CG animated Jolly Roger, who introduces the various options.
Disc Two is also Blu-ray format, but it contains only 480 resolution material. Disney has used the storage capacity of the BD-25 disc, however, to include not only all of the video-based features of the previous 2-disc Special Edition DVD, but also all of the additional bonus features that were included on The Lost Disc (that was later bundled with the original 2-disc DVD to form a new 3-disc gift set) - a very cool touch that I didn't expect. You get the complete multi-part An Epic at Sea documentary, the complete multi-part Fly on the Set documentary, the deleted scenes, the gag reel... you name it. Without posting the complete laundry list, know that I've compared the discs and virtually everything is here. The only thing that's not included as far as I can tell is the previous DVD's ROM content (which included a more in-depth look at the original theme park ride). I'm not a big ROM extras fan though, so I certainly didn't miss it.
A couple more notes: I'm not yet sure if the three Easter eggs from the previous DVD are included here, as I have yet to find them. But I'd be surprised if they weren't here somewhere. I'll update this review when I can confirm their existence. About the only thing I dislike about Disc One of this set, aside from the load time, is that Buena Vista includes WAY too many previews and warning screens up front. These all play automatically, and while you can skip through them individually, you can't hit "menu" to bypass them all in one shot. This REALLY needs to change on future BVHE Blu-ray releases, because it makes accessing the movie easily a 5-minute process.
This one fault aside, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is an outstanding Blu-ray experience - easily the most comprehensive special edition released to date on the format. Unless you really loved the ROM content, you can safely get rid of all of your previous Black Pearl DVDs without fear of losing any special features - the new Blu-ray Disc edition gives you virtually everything you already had, along with a few new features to boot. And the high-definition video and high-resolution audio quality is absolutely top tier. It's not to be missed.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
2006 (2007) - Walt Disney Pictures (Buena Vista)
Released on Blu-ray Disc on May 22nd, 2007
I going to say this right now up front: Disney's Dead Man's Chest on Blu-ray delivers the best looking 1080p video I've seen yet on any HD format. Nearly the entire 50GB of Disc One is devoted to the film data alone, giving the AVC compression plenty of room to breathe. The clarity and detail visible in the imagery here is sublime, with not a hint of artifacting or other unwanted defects. The colors are rich and accurate, with contrast that reveals deep and detailed shadows as well as bright-lit scenes. The audio quality is also outstanding in both standard Dolby Digital 5.1, as well as Uncompressed 48 kHz/24-bit PCM 5.1 surround. From the soft creaking of wooden-hulled ships rolling in the ocean tides to the rumbling screech of the Kraken tearing those same ships in half, the audio here is a sonic delight. Dead Man's Chest is easily THE demo disc to best show off what Blu-ray is capable of. Who says you don't need 50GB?
As with the first Pirates on Blu-ray, Disc One here contains the same audio commentary with the writers as the previous 2-disc DVD release. Again, the disc is hosted by a CG-animated Jolly Roger, who introduces everything. Disc One also offers a BD-Java interactive game, based on the game of Liar's Dice played by Will and Davy Jones in the film. The idea is that you and your opponent each roll 5 dice in a cup - your dice remain covered from the view of the other player. Once you see what your own dice are showing, you make bets as to what you believe ALL the dice (yours and the other player's) will show - 3 fives, 4 twos, etc. If you think the other player's bet is false, you can call him a liar (he can do the same to you). The loser of this bet lose one die, and the player who loses all his dice first loses the game. What makes this feature interesting, is that you're actually playing against characters from the film - a couple of the pirate actors were brought back to shoot new HD footage of dozens of original lines and responses to each possible outcome in the game. Better still, the game's AI learns how you play and reacts more effectively as you continue. Liar's Dice admittedly falls into the category of one of those "bells and whistles" we usually eschew here at The Bits, but it works well enough (and is actually fun enough) that it's worth your time. I should note here that Liar's Dice required a firmware update to my Pioneer BDP-HD1, a beta version of which Pioneer was kind enough to provide for this review (the public release will happen in the next couple of days - we'll post the link here when it's online). Before the firmware update, the game was extremely glitchy, but afterwards it worked almost flawlessly. Just be aware that your particular brand of player may also need firmware updating in order to function properly with the game.
Again, the only thing I really disliked about Disc One were all those damn Buena Vista previews and warning screens that play automatically before the movie starts. As with Disc One of The Curse of the Black Pearl on Blu-ray, you can skip through all these individually but you can't hit "menu" to bypass them all in one shot (at least you couldn't on my Pioneer player). It's really, really irritating, especially after the lengthy load time required by the disc's BD-Java content. Disney really needs to make these previews optional and not mandatory. It was one thing on mass-market DVD, but it's really not appropriate on a high-end format like Blu-ray. 'Nuff said.
Once again, Disc Two is a Blu-ray but offers only 480 resolution content. The good news, however, is that it again contains all of the special features that were on the previous 2-disc Special Edition DVD - every single thing is here (although I'm again not positive about the Easter eggs - I'll update this review when I can confirm their existence). But that's not all - not only do you get all the extras from the previous DVD, you also get all of the features that were on the Best Buy-exclusive bonus disc as well (including more Pirates on Location and Inside Dead Man's Chest featurettes, as well as trailers from around the world and an image gallery). This again makes the Blu-ray Disc a complete archive of everything that's been released on DVD previously, in addition to the all new features created just for Blu-ray.
Simply put, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest delivers what is arguably the best looking 1080p video available yet on any HD disc format, and it adds audio quality and extras to match. A few minor issues aside, this 2-disc set remains an absolute must-have for any serious Blu-ray Disc fan.
Outstanding and Marvelous,now after many reviews from many websites where everyone watched POTC declare this BLU-RAY edition a winner for Blu-ray Campaign once for all.I Guess HD-DVD fans now are more than just impressed with the higher quality BD owned for future.I can conclude and Predict that HD-DVD outthere going to buy a PS3 just for Watching POTC and Leaving Matrix behind them and substuntially there BD library will grow whereas there HD-DVD discs will decrease
When the specs were first announced for these movies, we already knew they were gonna be THE definitive blu-rays to show off but most people watching them are even more blown away
ahhh OMG, this movie is too clear. like litterly. way too HD, you can clearly see in action parts that johnny depp is not jack sparrow, but a stunt double is. the big one is when they are on top of the house in dead man's chest and sparrow taunts norrington then somersaults off the house.
I have both SD versions of pirates, but after reading all the praising reviews went out and purchased them again for blu-ray. they were two of the first BD's i own with my new player, and they are awesome!!!!
Hi, ive just borrowed a DVD copy of PotC 1 and chucked it in my ps3 and well what can i say what an amazing picture quality, i was woundering, will i see much more improvment if i picked up the blu-ray copy?
Also anyone have any idear when PotC 3 will be out on Blu-Ray i cant see it in the comming soon list on this site.
Hi, ive just borrowed a DVD copy of PotC 1 and chucked it in my ps3 and well what can i say what an amazing picture quality, i was woundering, will i see much more improvment if i picked up the blu-ray copy?
Also anyone have any idear when PotC 3 will be out on Blu-Ray i cant see it in the comming soon list on this site.
Thanks.
The 'Pirates' blu-rays are a vast improvement over the standard dvd. I feel they are both essential to someone's blu-ray library. The picture is incredible (on both).
According to Bill Hunt's Rumor Mill on thedigitalbits.com, he is saying that PotC3 will be released on blu-ray December 4, 2007. Just in time for Christmas.
thanks, i really didnt think the picture could be any more improved as it upscaled the dvd haha, do you think i should wait till PotC 3 comes out? i might be able to grab a deal on all 3 on blu-ray then if im lucky...what you think?
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