Blu-ray Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Ultimate Edition

Release Date : June 14th, 2011
Edition : Blu-ray Ultimate Edition
Distribute by : Warner Home Video
Directed by : David Yates
Starring : Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Imelda Staunton, Gary Oldman, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Felton
Region : free
Video : VC-1 codec, 1080p resolution, 2.40:1 aspect ratio
Audio : English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1); French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Portuguese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Subtitle : English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, German SDH, Dutch.
Runtime : 153 min
Price : US$49.99
Rating : PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality.
SPC feature :
Disc 1: Maximum Movie Mode; Focus Points; BD-Live
Disc 2: Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 6: Magical Effects; Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Behind the Magic; Additional Scenes in Hi-Def; J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life; Close Up with the Cast of Harry Potter; The Wizarding World of Harry Potter; What’s on Your Mind?; First Footage from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Interstitials; Theatrical Trailers.

With a budget reached US $ 250 million, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince maybe was the favorite movie of Harry Potter, but in other sides, some people think it's the weakest from other Harry Potter movies. But, at least we all agree to collect the Blu-ray version. For this newest Blu-ray version, the movie that got Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography, is visualized by using 2.40:1 that is converted by using VC-1 codec with 1080p resolution.

Pictures quality are not so different with previous version. This is because maybe the previous Blu-ray has displayed the best quality, so it doesn't need a lot of changes. There are not many colors variation on movie, which was directed by David Yates, but the lighting whether on outdoor scenes on indoor scenes produce wonderful pictures. Skin colors look realistic with black level looks dark during entire movie.

New quality enhancement is found on its sound that previously used TrueHD Dolby format. Now, it uses DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, various sounds can be channelled well. Dialogs sound clear, while Death Eater scenes in actions produce great voices. All voices that are channelled make viewers feel that they are parts of the movie and involve in the scenes.

Just as the previous Ultimate Edition, the package was released with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Ultimate Edition Blu-ray also offers various bonus features that are divided into two Blu-ray discs. On the first disc, there are only two main features, which are Maximum Movie Mode and Focus Points that are divided into 14 segments. And also BD-Live as a companion.