Smallfoot Blu-ray Review

4 Stars Fun for the whole family

Smallfoot turns the Bigfoot (or more precisely, the Abominable Snowman) legend on its ear in this entertaining, family-friendly animated comedy musical from the director of Over the Hedge.

Smallfoot (2018)
Released: 28 Sep 2018
Rated: PG
Runtime: 96 min
Director: Karey Kirkpatrick, Jason Reisig(co-director)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Cast: Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Common
Writer(s): Karey Kirkpatrick (screenplay by), Clare Sera (screenplay by), John Requa (screen story by), Glenn Ficarra (screen story by), Karey Kirkpatrick (screen story by), Sergio Pablos (based on the book "Yeti Tracks" by), Sergio Pablos
Plot: A Yeti is convinced that the elusive creatures known as "humans" really do exist.
IMDB rating: 6.7
MetaScore: 60

Disc Information
Studio: Warner Brothers
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution: 1080P/AVC
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, English DVS 2.0, Spanish 5.1 DD, French 5.1 DD
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1 Hr. 36 Min.
Package Includes:
Case Type: 2-disc Blu-ray eco keepcase with slipcover
Disc Type: BD50 (dual layer)
Region: A
Release Date: 12/11/2018
MSRP: $35.99

The Production: 4/5

When a human crash lands his plane atop a mountain inhabited by Yetis, Migo (voiced by Chaning Tatum) takes it upon himself to prove to his community that smallfoots (humans) actually exist and that the world, as they know it, is about to change. But the community, lead by the Stonekeeper (voiced by Common), doesn’t like change, leading to Migo’s banishment. In searching for clues to the existence of humans, he comes across a group of outcasts, the S.E.S. (Smallfoot Evidentiary Society). Its leader, Meechee (voiced by Zendaya), who also happens to be the Stonekeeper’s daughter, convince Migo to travel down the mountain, beyond the clouds, and bring back a specimen. And that he does, in down on his luck nature show host Percy (voiced by James Corden), who has been hoping to find something so outrageous to drive up the ratings on his struggling show. This does not sit well with the Stonekeeper, who tries to prove that Migo is a fraud.

The movie’s underlying messages on tolerance, division, conformity, and the courage to question authority are strong enough to get through to most audiences without being too overly blatant or preachy. There is a great deal of humor in the film, much of it an homage to the classic Looney Tunes from Warner’s golden age of animation, and the popular music will likely appeal to both adults and children alike.

Video: 5/5

3D Rating: NA

Warner’s 1080p AVC-encoded transfer retains the film’s original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.40:1, and is, in a word, fantastic. Colors are bold and vivid, with lots of pop where necessary. Detail is strong, from the small hairs of the Yeti characters blowing in the breeze to textures in the rock formations. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and crisp whites with no noticeable crushing or clipping.

Audio: 4.5/5

This is the second Warner release on Blu-ray that I have reviewed that received a 7.1 theatrical mix but only gets a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix on Blu-ray. That being said, the 5.1 mix provided is very good with very active surrounds, such as wind and other fun sounds that pan seamlessly from front to back and vice versa, plus a nice wide front soundstage with excellent stereo separation. LFE is well utilized, assisting with the pounding footsteps of the behemoth Yetis and Mammoths in the film, as well as avalanches and plane crashes. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout.

Special Features: 3/5

Yeti Set Go Sing-Along Edition (1080p; 96:20): The movie with sing-along on-screen lyrics and other trivia and activity hints. This is a separate encode of the movie at a slightly lower bitrate and with a Dolby Digital 5.1 track encoded at 640 kbps.

Super Soozie Mini Movie (1080p; 2:22): Young Yeti Soozie goes on an adventure.

Migo in The Secret of the Yeti Stones (1080p; 3:43): This appears that it could be an alternate opening to the movie, as it is told almost exclusively in rough storyboard form.

Yeti or Not, Here They Come! Imagining “Smallfoot” (1080p; 5:58): A very brief look at the making of the film.

Finally Free Music Video performed by Niall Horan (1080p; 3:26)

Moment of Truth Music Video performed by Cyn (1080p; 3:58)

Wonderful Life: In 28 Languages, Sung Around the World Music Video (1080p; 3:11)

Turn Off Your Cell Phone Promo Video (1080p; 0:36)

Artifact #17: The Scroll of Wisdom Promo Video (1080p; 0:25)

Artifact #31: The Smallfoot Cocoon Promo Video (1080p; 0:30)

Artifact #54: The Singing Stone Promo Video (1080p; 0:30)

Migonada Promo Video (1080p; 0:54)

DVD Copy: The movie in 480p and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, plus the Yeti or Not, Here They Come! Imagining “Smallfoot” featurette.

JC Penney Portraits Coupon: Save $25 off your next purchase.

Digital Copy: An insert contains a code to redeem a digital copy on Movies Anywhere.

Overall: 4/5

Smallfoot is a fun, family-friendly animated film, and Warner’s Blu-ray presentation has impressive video and audio, although it seems to be missing the 7.1 theatrical mix.

Todd Erwin has been a reviewer at Home Theater Forum since 2008. His love of movies began as a young child, first showing Super 8 movies in his backyard during the summer to friends and neighbors at age 10. He also received his first movie camera that year, a hand-crank Wollensak 8mm with three fixed lenses. In 1980, he graduated to "talkies" with his award-winning short The Ape-Man, followed by the cult favorite The Adventures of Terrific Man two years later. Other films include Myth or Fact: The Talbert Terror and Warren's Revenge (which is currently being restored). In addition to movie reviews, Todd has written many articles for Home Theater Forum centering mostly on streaming as well as an occasional hardware review, is the host of his own video podcast Streaming News & Views on YouTube and is a frequent guest on the Home Theater United podcast.

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