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  Directed by
  Starring
    None Listed
  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.78:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • English: DTS 5.1 Surround
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Multiple angle

Cirque Du Soleil - Varekai

Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 113 mins . G . PAL

  Feature
Contract

Like most reasonable and humane folk these days, I am of the unapologetic opinion that traditional circuses are mostly antiquated, barbaric things. I enjoy the human acts, but there is nothing entertaining about seeing a majestic animal such as a lion or an elephant made to sit on a chair and growl, or stand on its back legs. It is demeaning, unnatural and cruel, and in 2004 we should be long past caging animals and threatening them with whips and sticks and calling it entertainment. It is primarily for this reason that Cirque Du Soleil appeals to many, for it relies only on people for its entertainment value, and boy do they know how to put on a show!

Cirque Du Soleil is a French-Canadian circus troupe that includes many of the more traditional circus themes, but has invented and included many modern acts as well. It was formed in Quebec in the '80s, but found international success in the '90s. Cirque Du Soleil is now very popular in places such as North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Right from the opening, it is obvious that this may have some traditional circus values, but there is a lot more thrown in the mix. The acts include comedy, mime, dance, gymnastics, acrobatics, drama and the more traditional acts such as juggling, trapeze, balancing acts, contortionists and, of course, clowns. And the clown double act in Varekai has some very funny routines indeed. The new world music that accompanies the acts is played and sung live, and the costumes and makeup could not be more colourful or dramatic.

Varekai is a Romany (gypsy) word meaning 'wherever', and tells the story of a young man who falls from the sky and parachutes into the shadows of a magical forest at the summit of a volcano. The forest is populated by fantastic creatures, and the young man sets off on his adventurous path. Fortunately, we are witness it all. The acts are incredible, and although there is no, "Don't try this at home" message, the chances of anyone actually trying any of this at home would be slim at best, and the chance of actually performing any of it, even slimmer.

Cirque Du Soleil - Varekai will appeal to adults and children alike. The costumes and makeup might be a little scary at times, but nothing most kids won't handle. The light-hearted routines will soon ease any uncertainty. If you have seen any Cirque Du Soleil performances in the past and enjoyed them, then this too will have great appeal.

  Video
Contract

Colour and movement. Colour and movement. Yep, that's right, the two most striking things about this DVD are the colourful costumes and makeup and the amount of action on screen. Thankfully, the DVD has captured it all marvelously and there are virtually no problems to report. The 16:9 enhanced aspect ratio of 1.78:1 is very sharp and there is excellent clarity and detail in all acts. Colours are vibrant and solid with little evidence of noise, except in some of the bolder blues that also present a bit of a problem when it comes to sharpness. That's blue light for you.

There are no other issues such as edge enhancement or shimmer and aliasing. There are no marks, dirt, artefacts or glitches. Black levels are excellent and shadow detail is good and problem free. The layer change was always going to be tricky, but is relatively well placed between acts.

  Audio
Contract

As most of this presentation is music, it is important that it is presented as well as it can be and, fortunately, that's what we get. The music sounds like Enigma meets Deep Forest meets Era and that means big vocals, big drums and big dramatics. There is little dialogue as such and even that is just the odd word here and there mostly in French. There are three options, being Dolby Digital 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1 and a very full DTS 5.1 track. The DTS track will be the choice for most and will not diappoint. From the big drum thuds to the clearest vocals and assorted stringed instruments, every sound is loud clear and beautiful. There is good use of the rear channels to fill up the room, and audience appreciation is placed mostly in the rear speakers.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 track seems to offer a lot less than the DTS and lacks punch. There is the same clarity and separation, but it doesn't seem to have the same ability to cut through the room, and is certainly mastered at a lower volume. The stereo track is not as dramatic as either of the surround mixes, but is still clear with a reasonable fidelity.

  Extras
Contract

There is just one extra available on this DVD and that is the ability to re-watch three of the acts in multi-angle. There is a choice of three angles, but it would appear the choice only exists as an extra and not as part of the main presentation.

  Overall  
Contract

As far as entertainment goes, it is difficult to fault any Cirque Du Soleil performance, and Varekai is no exception. The very presentation is superb with wild, over the top theatrics, sets and costumes, and an incredibly talented troupe of performers who can do it all from acrobatics to gymanstics, dance, mime, trapeze, juggling, balancing and even comedy. There is always something happening, the music is performed live as part of the show, and the show is woven together beautifully. This is a performance that will appeal to everyone who appreciates theatrics, talent and skill.


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      And I quote...
    "Cirque Du Soleil has it all. Drama, comedy, music, mime, dance, theatrics, juggling, trapeze, clowns; all the best a traditional circus can offer - and no animals! "
    - Terry Kemp
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Akai
    • TV:
          TEAC CT-F803 80cm Super Flat Screen
    • Receiver:
          Pioneer VSX-D409
    • Speakers:
          Wellings
    • Centre Speaker:
          Wellings
    • Surrounds:
          Wellings
    • Subwoofer:
          Sherwood SP 210W
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard RCA
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
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