Song of the Sea Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this exceptional Blu-ray release
Saoirse is a child who is the last of the selkies, women in Irish and Scottish legends who transform from seals into people. She escapes from her grandmother's home to journey to the sea and free fairy creatures trapped in the modern world.
For more about Song of the Sea and the Song of the Sea Blu-ray release, see Song of the Sea Blu-ray Review published by Brian Orndorf on December 24, 2021 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.5 out of 5.
In 2009, writer/director Tomm Moore made a dent in the notoriously competitive animation marketplace with "The Secret of Kells," a charming
adventure that eventually worked its way to an Academy Award nomination. Not too shabby for a modestly budget effort from Ireland. Eschewing a
bold follow-up to play into industry trends, Moore returns with "Song of a Sea," another delightfully modest picture that trusts in the power of imagery
and amplifies a spectacularly successful sense of emotion. A gorgeously crafted take on Celtic myths and sibling bonds, "Song of the Sea" is a soulful
smash, with Moore absolutely nailing the needs the heart to go along with his command of traditional animation.
Years ago, young Ben (voiced by David Rawle) watched his mother, Bronagh (Lisa Hannigan), disappear under mysterious circumstances. Slightly
resentful of his duties as a big brother to Saoirse (Lucy O'Connell), Ben passes the days with his imagination and his loyal dog. One day, while
poking around in Ben's room, Saoirse discovers a special shell flute given to the boy by Bronagh. When her curiosity to play the instrument awakens
a magical realm of fairies and malevolent owls, Saoirse discovers her true form as a Selkie, a seal-child destined to return to the sea with help from
a special coat. While his father, Conor (Brendan Gleeson), remains lost in grief and Granny (Fionnula Flanagan) doesn't believe in such matters, Ben
finds himself caught up in the quest, helping Saoirse fulfill her destiny and protect her from the wicked witch Macha (Flanagan).
"Song of the Sea" preserves a storybook atmosphere, taking the tale to a corner of Ireland, where Conor has raised his family inside a lighthouse,
allowing his children to have a relationship with isolation and the ocean. The picture actually begins with the saga of Bronagh, who, while pregnant
with Saoirse, was called away in front of Ben's sleepy eyes, leaving her husband in a state of shock and the boy confused, with only the shell flute's
distant music to comfort him. Screenwriter William Collins does an economical job getting the audience up to speed with the domestic situation,
while the magical properties of "Song of the Sea" take a little longer to sink in. Moore doesn't want to spoil the excitement of discovery, leaving
explanations few and far between. In a rare moment of trust, the production leaves a grander comprehension of the Selkie myth to the viewer, with
clues, discussion, and visual evidence creating an inviting depiction of otherworldly urgency. The lack of handholding is refreshing and, never fear,
your kids will probably be one step ahead of you.
Most of the movie belongs to Ben's mission of protection, trying to wrap his mind around what's happening to his little sister, who's in touch with
magic, but weakening with every forward step, in need of a coat that permits access to an underwater realm. As expected of parents and guardians,
the outerwear is discarded as fantasy, forcing the children to retrieve it on their own, with their happy sheepdog helping them along the way. The
journey is fraught with peril, with owls and their airborne attacks hindering progress, giving the pair a glimpse of Macha's wrath. There are moments
of joyful discovery as well, found in a meeting with music-loving fairies who are delighted to meet the last Selkie, requiring her magic to remain in
motion, away from Macha's stone-based imprisonment, keeping their essence in jars.
There's plenty of incident to keep "Song of the Sea" exciting, studying Ben's bravery and wonder as he experiences a whole new reality underwater,
while in awe of his sister's secret purpose, determined to protect her at all costs. However, animation tends to trigger the most awe, with stunning
2D artistry feeling around this strange universe, creating distinct personalities and exquisite locations in both the real and unreal worlds. Moore's
direction is often subtle, but he builds a wondrous universe for "Song of the Sea," filled with indelible imagery and endearing characters.
"Song of the Sea" was originally released on Blu-ray in 2015, with Shout Factory bringing the feature back to disc in 2021. The AVC encoded image
(1.84:1 aspect ratio) presentation appears to be the same as the previous release, offering a vibrant palette that supports the fairy tale aspects of the
animation. Bright golds and silvers capture magical interests, and deep blue waters and Irish greenery are distinct. Creative textures remain in the
animation, with sharp character designs and highly decorated landscapes. Delineation is satisfactory.
The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix provides an immersive understanding of the "Song of the Sea" world, leading with crisp dialogue exchanges that secure
dramatic moods, heavy accents, and delicate child performances. Scoring supports with authority, with deep strings and assorted Irish sounds, reaching
into the surrounds. Atmospherics are also appealingly circular, offering pressurized underwater visits and weather changes. Sound effects are
appreciable. Low-end isn't challenged in full, but more active moments register with weight.
Behind the Scenes (2:50, HD) is a frustratingly brief look at the creation of "Song of the Sea," speeding through production
achievements and video footage. Commentary features director Thom Moore.
Animation Tests (7:48, HD) provide a look at the stages of production on "Song of the Sea." Commentary features director
Thom Moore.
"The Art of 'Song of the Sea'" (7:25, HD) collects pre-production and animation images from the film.
And a Conceptual Trailer (:56, HD), Theatrical Trailer #1 (1:06, HD), and Theatrical Trailer #2 (1:55, HD) are included.
What's most surprising about "Song of the Sea" is its emotional content, nurturing a slow commitment to the characters and their renewed fear of loss.
While the picture closes with bittersweet business, it's beautifully handled by the production, retaining a joy for life as it reminds us of its limitations.
"Song of the Sea" packs a wallop, but it earns every tear and smile, emerging as a masterfully crafted look at the power of myth and magic, and the
particular bond of family.
Song of the Sea: Other Editions
Blu-ray
2-disc set
Blu-ray Bundles/Box Sets with Song of the Sea (1 bundle)
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Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the Blu-ray release of director Tomm Moore and writer William Collins' (The Secret of Kells) latest animated film, Song of the Sea. The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital HD combo pack will be available for purchase on March ...
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