‘The Triplets Of Belleville’ Blu-Ray Review – A Quirky Animated Gem That Embraces The Medium

You’ve never seen anything like THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE, a wildly inventive and highly original animated feature crowded with colorful characters and fantastic imagery. Kidnapped by mysterious, square-shouldered henchmen, a Tour de France cyclist named Champion is spirited across the ocean to the teeming metropolis of Belleville. His grandmother and faithful dog follow his trail and are taken in by a trio of eccentric jazz-era divas. The motley sleuths follow the clues to an Underground betting parlor and now the chase is on!

For thoughts on The Triplets of Belleville, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://youtu.be/D6hpN4qYZgE?si=FMmzWY4sn0VDyMYK&t=2649]

Video Quality

The Triplets of Belleville comes to Blu-Ray from Sony with a sumptuous 1080p transfer that allows the film to look the best it ever has on physical media. The studio previously released this one on MOD Blu-Ray back in 2017, but we do not have that disc to make direct comparisons. That being said, we can confirm this is not a direct port of that disc because it was housed on a BD-25 and this new disc is a pressed BD-50 disc. This release also adds a number of additional special features that were left off the previous release. This feels like somewhat of a stealthy upgrade, but it is very welcome to have this film finally treated with the respect it deserves. This release is featured in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio and maintains the natural filmic quality of the presentation. 

This unique visual palette showcases a world of delightful details that come through with great splendor. The subtle facets that are added to each individual help to show the care put into the animation. Each environment has a personality that shines through in the best way. The colors present in this transfer are so deep and complex as you navigate the wide range of hues saturating every inch of the frame. The textures, from the character designs to the environments, are extremely impressive and give the film a real sense of depth. One of the areas where the film really shines is the fluid nature of the character designs as they amble throughout the world in an almost untethered manner. Black levels are incredibly strong with no signs of compression artifacts or digital anomalies of the sort. This is a beautiful Blu-Ray presentation that is not to be missed. 

Audio Quality

The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio lossless track is presented here in its original French with optional English and English SDH subtitles. While the film is technically presented in French, most actual dialogue is glorified background noise as the characters avoid using words to communicate throughout (almost) the entirety of the film. The video portion of the disc showed signs of improvement over the 2017 disc, but things get even more exciting when it comes to the audio. The previous release only contained a DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo track, so the fact we are finally getting the proper soundtrack is a godsend. 

The track is an unbelievable experience that brings the movie to life in a really pleasing manner. Singing comes through crystal clear at all times without being overshadowed by any sounds of the instruments. Environmental sounds are precisely placed throughout the room as they immerse the audience in the action. The track employs occasional activity in the low end to give a bit of texture to the more kinetic moments. There is also a nice amount of sonic detail in the surround channels as the sounds of a bustling city create a world fully realized. This is a top-tier release that should more than please fans of the film. 

Special Features

• The Making of The Triplets of Belleville: A 16-minute archival featurette that includes interviews with director Sylvain Chomet, composer Benoît Charest, animator Hugues Martel, and art director Evgeni Tomov. There are many great insights into how this film was developed, the creation of the titular city, the music in the film, and much more that is worth a watch. 

• Select Scenes Commentary: There are three scenes totaling seven minutes of material which have insights provided by the creative team about the use of music, the intentions behind the scenes, and more. 

• The Cartoon According to Sylvain Chomet: A nearly six-minute piece with the director in which he discusses the ideas behind his animation style, the character designs, and more. 

• “Belleville Rendez-Vous” Music Video: A three-and-a-half-minute music video is provided. 

• Theatrical Trailer: The two-minute trailer is provided here. 

• The Magnificent Life of Marcel Pagnol Teaser with Introduction by Director Sylvain Chomet: A two-and-a-half-minute trailer for an upcoming feature from Chomet. 

Final Thoughts

The Triplets of Belleville is a true gem of animation that eschews realism for something more creatively satisfying and aesthetically invigorating. Although it is a French production, the lack of any real dialogue makes it even more accessible for audience members who do not like to read subtitles for whatever reason. The level of artistry put forth here is unreal, and the absurd sense of humor will really connect with those who can get on the same wavelength. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray with a stellar A/V presentation and a few great special features. This is a fantastic release for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Highly Recommended 

The Triplets of Belleville can be purchased directly through MovieZyng or various other online retailers.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.