Categories: Movie Reviews

Billy Elliot the Musical Live – Blu-ray Movie Review

Synopsis

Billy Elliot is a young boy growing up in a mining town in the North of England. When the miners go on strike a dark cloud settles over the community. Billy goes to boxing practice every week but once he discovers the dance class that takes place afterwards he’s hooked. Instructor Mrs. Wilkinson sees he has real talent and encourages him to audition for the Royal Ballet School. Billy’s father and older brother are initially resistant to the idea but are eventually won over. He goes to the audition in hopes it will change his life and his fortunes forever.

Specifications

Universal
2014, Color, Not rated, 2 Hrs 50 mins
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.20:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Elliott Hanna, Ruthie Henshall, Deka Walmsley
Directed by Brett Sullivan & Stephen Daldry

Rating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: No
Sex: No
Language: Yes

Commentary

First off it should be made clear that this Blu-ray release is not the original movie from 2000 but an actual live performance from London’s West End filmed in 2014. Unlike most musical films that are adapted from a stage show, Billy Elliot has done it in reverse. The original film was a dance musical and in 2005 modified for the stage. The music is all written by Elton John while the lyrics come from Lee Hall who conceived and wrote the original screenplay.

I’m not usually a fan of theater productions shot on film. The cameras are static and you never really get the sense of being there. This movie on the other hand is done incredibly well. Multiple cameras are used along with closeups and fades to really give the viewer a better-than-front-row seat.

Secrets Sponsor

I’ve seen many Broadway shows but alas I have never traveled to London to see a West End musical. It’s quite a different vibe from what I experienced in New York City. The sets are simple and everything focuses on the characters. Lighting is basic without much use of special effects or illusion. The story is a dark one and there are lots of intense moments and a surprising amount of profanity. The subject matter is at an adult level despite the main character being 10 years old.

Speaking of Billy, the performer who plays him, Elliott Hanna, is sensational. His talent is enormous and he easily overshadows everyone else on the stage. Kudos to Ruthie Henshaw as Mrs. Wilkinson and Zach Atkinson as Michael who manages to steal every scene he’s in. The production is first-rate all the way and beautifully presented here.

Secrets Sponsor

Technical

Video quality is pretty much determined by the stage lighting and that is done evenly without any harsh contrast or unwanted shadows. The color palette is fairly cool but costumes and sets pop out with solid detail and a natural saturation. I saw a bit of edge enhancement at times but that was the only real flaw.

The DTS-HD Master Audio encode is rich and detailed though it’s presented at a fairly high volume level. If you turn the dial too far voices can sound a little sibilant. At a reasonable setting however everything comes into focus. There isn’t much going on in the sub or surrounds but the front soundstage is very wide with lots of depth and terrific dynamic range. It probably sounds better than if you were actually in the theater.

Extras

I would have loved more in-depth information about this musical but all you get is a brief behind-the-curtain tour with Elliott Hanna and a few interviews with the creators of the original film and stage production.

Chris Eberle

Chris' passion for audio began when he took up playing the bassoon at age 12. During his third year at the New England Conservatory of Music, he won a position with the West Point Band where he served for 26 years as principal bassoonist. He retired from the Army in 2013 and is now writing full time and performing as a freelance musician in Central Florida. As an avid movie lover, Chris was unable to turn away the 50-inch Samsung DLP TV that arrived at his door one day, thus launching him irrevocably into an obsession with home theater. Dissatisfied with the image quality of his new acquisition, Chris trained with the Imaging Science Foundation in 2006 and became a professional display calibrator. His ultimate theater desires were realized when he completed construction of a dedicated cinema/listening room in his home. Chris is extremely fortunate that his need for quality audio and video is shared and supported by his wife of over 25 years. In his spare time he enjoys riding his recumbent trike at least 100 miles per week, trying out new restaurants, going to theme parks and spending as much time as possible watching movies and listening to music. Chris enjoys bringing his observations and discoveries about every kind of home theater product to as many curious and well-informed readers as possible. He is proud to be a part of the Team and hopes to help everyone enjoy their AV experiences to the fullest.