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DVD Review: Finding Neverland |
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Here is detailed reasoning as to why the DVD experience for Finding Neverland recieves an overall grade of B+.
DVD Details
DVD Release Date: March 22, 2005
Released By: Miramax
Formats Available: Widescreen and Full Screen
Discs: 1
Movie Synopsis: Click here.
Movie Review: Click here.
Movie Rating: PG for mild thematic elements and brief language.
Movie Summary
Finding Neverland is the story of James M. Barrie (played by Johnny Depp), the man who wrote the stage play “Peter Pan” and sparked the imagination of millions worldwide. Finding Neverland takes a closer, albeit mostly fictional, look into the magic that one man created while facing several obstacles along the way.
Report Card
DVD Packaging & Presentation: A-
DVD Ease of Navigation: B
DVD Special Features: B
Overall Impression of DVD: B+
DVD Packaging and Presentation: A-
The packaging of the Finding Neverland DVD is well done with this DVD. The visual presentation on the front and back of the DVD case is pleasant to the eye and the DVD case doesn’t have those additional annoying clasps that some DVD cases are now sporting. In addition, Miramax actually includes an insert with the DVD. And since DVD cases were made to contain inserts, it’s nice to see one here even though it is only one page, front and back. The insert contains a list of scene selections on the front and a list of the DVD Special Features on the back.
The artwork on the DVD case and DVD is simplistic, yet pleasant. It’s easy to tell whether you are watching or buying the widescreen or full version DVD.
The DVD intro is rather simplistic, but still nice. You see a small light (Tinkerbell) fly around a dark screen to reveal the Finding Neverland Title. It then raises, like a curtain, to reveal about 35 seconds of scenes fading one to another. A nice vine/garden top and bottom frame contain the navigation options. The scenes are mixed nicely with a piece of the Academy Award-winning score and it pulls you nicely into the movie’s setting. However, the 35 second replay loop can get a bit repetitive.
DVD Ease of Navigation: B
Like many movie companies, Miramax forces movie trailers to play before going to the main menu. For this we’ve knocked off one grade point. Normally we knock off two grade points if the forced trailers cannot be skipped by clicking the Menu button on your remote control. Miramax has enabled the Menu button so that you can skip the trailers and go straight to the movie.
Miramax and other movie companies need to realize that forced trailers are an annoyance. There is a nice little place for trailers (that people will use) called “Special Features”. Hopefully movie companies discover this to be a great place to put trailer of upcoming features.
The navigation in Special Features is a bit strange because under Feature Commentary they add “with director Mark Forster, Producer Richard Gladstein, and writer David Magee.” The problem is that because they used so much text there only “And Writer David Magee” is underlined instead of the whole sentence or simply Feature Commentary. All other special features are one line, making this one awkward. They should have simply underlined Feature Commentary (and put the rest in smaller text under it in parenthesis) or simply just say Feature Commentary.
In the Special Features is an option to view Feature Commentary with Filmmakers. From the time you click Feature Commentary with Filmmakers, you have to click through two more screens to actually get what you want. That’s three clicks from the Special Features page (and four from the main menu) in order to get what you want. Too many clicks.
DVD Special Features: B
Here is a list of the Special Features on the Finding Neverland DVD:
- Deleted Scenes with optional commentary
- Outtakes
- Feature Commentary with Filmmakers
- The Magic of Finding Neverland
- Creating Neverland
- On the Red Carpet
There are three deleted scenes on the Finding Neverland DVD “Pretend You Still Care,” “Only Grown-Ups Can Have Children,” and “Depending on J.M Barrie.” The commentary on the first and third deleted scenes are adequate, but the commentators did a poor job on the “Only Grown-Ups Can Have Children” deleted scene where they argue as to whether it originally occurred before or after another scene and fail to tell the audience why it was cut. Commentary this poor on such a short scene should be redone. C
Outtakes are always fun to watch and the outtakes on the Finding Neverland DVD are no exception. More companies should take the time to present some of the lighter moments of a movie on the DVD. This is definitely a fun feature. A
Feature Commentary with Filmmakers. Once you actually get to the commentary (see notes in “DVD Ease of Navigation”) you get to hear commentary from the producer, director, and writer about the movie. This kind of insight is priceless and one of the best uses ever put on a DVD. Not only do you gain valuable insight from the filmmakers on the movie, but you also get to share in some of the funny moments, like the problems they had with extras all trying to go through the left door of the theater in order to shake Dustin Hoffman’s hand, whereas no greeter was on the right and they were supposed to file equally through both doors. When a producer, writer, and director take the time to share two hours of valuable insight into their film, audiences are reminded of why DVDs are such a valuable experience. A
The Magic of Finding Neverland is perhaps the best feature on the DVD. It provides some history on the Peter Pan phenomena (including scenes from Disney’s animated Peter Pan), the psychology of Peter Pan and a look at the magic that went into creating the movie. And there are plenty of candid interviews too spliced throughout the feature, like Kate Winslet proclaiming, “Working with Johnny Depp is like working with a fifth child in the movie.” The feature is a good length, interesting, and includes lots of clips from Finding Neverland as well as other movies. This feature deserves a solid “A”. A
Creating Neverland is a quick look at the visual effects shots created for the movie. This short piece, which could have easily been longer, examines how the 80 visual effects shots were seamlessly integrated into the movie so that the audience wouldn’t realize a visual effect was taking place. B+
On the Red Carpet is a short feature containing snippets of interviews and scenes from the premiere of Finding Neverland. There’s a lot of great quotes and opinions, including Hillary Clinton’s rave remarks about the movie. A-
Overall Impressions of DVD: B+
Finding Neverland is a nice DVD and worthy of adding to your collection. Although it opening with trailers is annoying (studios need to stop this bad practice immediately and keep trailers in the Special Features section where they belong so that we have quicker access to the movie), this DVD at least lets you skip the trailers by clicking the Menu button. Overall, the Finding Neverland DVD is impressive enough to definitely recommend.
DVD Kudos
Good Packaging
Excellent Movie
Addition of Outtakes
Nice “The Magic of Finding Neverland” Feature
Good Commentary for Movie
DVD Annoyances
Trailers playing before menu
Strange Layout in Special Features Section
Lackluster Commentary for Deleted Scenes
List of Movie Trailers
Dear Frankie (when DVD is first inserted and also under Sneak Peeks)
National Treasure (when DVD is first inserted and also under Sneak Peeks)
Miramax 25th Anniversary Montage (Sneak Peeks)
DVD
