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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Joyful Noise

    Featured In Issue 167, May/June 2012

    Picture4.5
    Sound3.5
    WSR Score2.5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Warner Home Video
    (Catalog Number):
    3000042770
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    Some language including a sexual reference
    (Retail Price):
    $35.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    118
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2012
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    05/01/12
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Todd Graff
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    The small town of Pacashau, Georgia, has fallen on hard times, but the people are counting on the Divinity Church Choir to lift their spirits by winning the National Joyful Noise Competition. The choir has always known how to sing in harmony, but the discord between its two leading ladies now threatens to tear them apart. Their newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill (Latifah), stubbornly wants to stick with their tried-and-true traditional style, while the fiery G.G. Sparrow (Parton) thinks tried-and-true translates to tired-and-old. Shaking things up even more is the arrival of G.G.'s rebellious grandson, Randy (Jordan). Randy has an ear for music, but he also has an eye for Vi Rose's beautiful and talented daughter, Olivia (Palmer), and the sparks between the two teenagers are causing even more friction between G.G. and Vi Rose. If these two strong-willed women can put aside their differences for the good of the people in their town, they—and their choir—may make the most joyful noise of all. (Tricia Spears)

    Special features include the following featurettes: "Spotlight On A Song: Dolly Parton's From Here To The Moon (HD 04:22), Inspiration Of Joyful Noise (HD 05:53), Make Some Noise (HD 02:26), Leading Ladies (HD 02:01), and He's Everything Live (HD 07:14); four extended songs: "Not Enough Love" (Dana, Dolly & Cast), "In Love" (Kirk Franklin), "I'm Yours" (Deleted Scene—Keke & Cast), and "Ride The Mighty High" (Karen Peck); a deleted scene: "Stop Calling Me Grandma" (HD 01:46); up-front ads; and the DVD.

    The 2.37:1 1080p AVC picture is impressively colorful, yet natural in appearance. Hues are nicely saturated with rich, warm tones. Contrast is well balanced with deep, solid blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is generally sharp, with some segments a bit softly focused. Close-ups appear sharper. Fleshtones are naturally rendered. Overall, this is a pleasing visual experience, with pristine image quality. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack at times makes joyful noises but, unexpectedly, the choral music sounds strident. Except for the music, this is a dialogue-focused frontal soundstage presentation with no surround. The music is the singular element that delivers surround envelopment, especially during the final musical numbers. Dialogue is intelligible and generally well generated. Bass extension is never overpowering but sounds natural. This is a conventional soundtrack, with segments of energizing music that sounds dynamic and immersive, but at times strident. (Gary Reber)

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