Paprika (Blu-ray)

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Video:
As you might expect, this phantasmagorical film is just the kind that's perfect for HD. It looks great in 1080p High Definition, with colors so saturated at times you think they're about to burst. Other times, the detail is what catches your eye, or the edge detail that makes everything so pleasantly 3-D. The film was transferred to disc using MPEG-4 technology, with the aspect ratio 1.85:1.

Audio:
The audio is a vibrant Japanese or English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, with additional Dolby Digital 5.1 options in Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. Subtitles are in English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Portuguese. The Japanese-language special features have subtitles in English and Korean.

Extras:
Included here is the same filmmaker's commentary as on the DVD version, with Kon joined by composer Susumu Hirasawa and one of his associate producers. They cover the usual ground, with the main focus on artistic scenic construction. A making-of feature splices in interviews with cast and crew, but doesn't really go into the kind of depth that makes these things fascinating. "A Conversation about the Dream" groups the voice actors, Kon, and Yasutaka Tsutsui (who wrote the original story) to talk about the idea of the dreams. Another okay feature at best.

The best features, for my money, are the ones that delve into the artwork: a storyboard comparison of three scenes, an "Art of Fantasy" featurette that zeroes in on the illustration process more than the other features, and "The Dream CG World" explores the computer effects. Trailers round out the bonus feature.

Bottom Line:
"Paprika" is one weird film. If you buy into the sci-fi, it's a visual smorgasbord, especially on Blu-ray. The basic movement animation isn't as creative as the backgrounds and images that parade before you as if YOU were the dreamer.

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