"The Great Budapest Hotel" recounts the adventures of Gustave H. (Fiennes), a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars; and Zero Moustafa (Amalric), the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting; a raging battle for an enormous family fortune; a desperate chase on motorcycles, trains, sleds, and skis; and the sweetest confection of a love affair—all against the backdrop of a suddenly and dramatically changing continent. (Gary Reber)
Special features include the featurettes: "Bill Murray Tours The Town" (HD 04:17) "The Making Of" (HD 18:08), "Cast" (HD 03:24), and "Wes Anderson" (HD 03:46); three vignettes (HD 09:00); a stills gallery; the theatrical trailer; upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.
The 1080p AVC picture is framed at times in 2.39:1, 1.85:1, and 1.33:1, including framing the sixties' material in a warped fisheye lens manner. Colors are vivid, though, often stylized with a purplish hue overlying the image. As a result, fleshtones do not always appear natural. Primaries really pop, which heightens the color palette. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is excellent as well, with fine detail exhibited in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. This is a beautiful and vividly colorful experience that is visually stimulating throughout. (Gary Reber)
The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is wonderfully nuanced, yet full of energy, especially with respect to the energized music score by Alexandre Desplat, which is beautifully recorded with a wide and deep soundstage presence that aggressively extends to the surrounds, for an enveloping experience. Instrumentation features a terrific organ presence and fantastic drum kit, playing with natural full-bodied bass. Atmospherics and sound effects are perfectly executed with energy, as well as nuanced throughout. Dialogue is effectively integrated spatially as well, as the narration of the story. Whether bustling with energy or nuanced, this is a terrific holosonic® soundtrack experience that will delight with is pristine fidelity and dynamics. (Gary Reber)