8.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Prequel series to Star Wars' 'Rogue One'. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian Andor will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero.
Starring: Diego Luna, Genevieve O'Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise GoughAdventure | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 86% |
Action | 77% |
Fantasy | 73% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
To purloin a phrase that specifically refers to a trope in the genre I'm about to mention, if we simply "cut to the chase", Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope was in essence a "space western", with a fairly simple good vs. evil plot, albeit this time with the bad guys (as in the Imperial Stormtroopers) in white, offering an "updated" color scheme for villains when compared to westerns from days of yore. While George Lucas' tip o' the space helmet to Joseph Campbell has been widely reported and recognized, it's perhaps salient to note that "deeper" analyses of the original Star Wars trilogy took at least a while to become prevalent, with the franchise's action and humor tending to steal the spotlight in the early going. There's still good vs. evil abounding in Andor, but this miniseries attempts to take a more, well, elevated approach to an overall franchise that has often been called a "space opera". Much as Obi-Wan Kenobi: The Complete Series is an "outgrowth" of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Andor is of course inextricably bound to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, pulling an integral if arguably supporting character from that film from the sidelines directly to center stage, examining an "arc" (if some will indulge the use of an often disparaged term) for Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) that includes not just a (no pun intended) radical change as an adult, but a depiction of his childhood that obviously played into his psychological state and ultimate stance as a rebel.
Andor: The Complete First Season is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Disney / Buena Vista with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. Unlike some of the Disney+ series captured with Arri cameras, this was captured with Sony Venice cameras and finished at 4K. I'm know I'm probably sounding like a broken record by now about this latest quartet of Disney+ offerings on disc, but in this particular case that may be a (relatively) good thing, since this is another gorgeous and often stunning looking presentation as with virtually all of its recent Disney+ siblings, though once again as I've mentioned in some of my other reviews of simultaneously released 1080 and 4K UHD versions, my "cut to the chase" advice is to opt for Disney / Buena Vista's 4K UHD release of this series if you have the equipment to play that format. The palette of this series is kind of subtly less overtly vivid than in some other recent Disney+ productions I've reviewed, and that may actually be a point in favor of the 1080 version, since the 4K UHD version's HDR may not have as much "to play with", so to speak. The earlier episodes tend to ping pong between some evocative if still kind of slightly tamped down blues and yellows, while some almost shocking whites tend to start infiltrating things later in the story as the Empire gets more involved. The flashback scenes documenting Cassian's childhood offer more of a tropical jungle ambience that in fact is maybe just a little reminiscent of the planetary look of a certain James Cameron enterprise (no spaceship name pun intended). That said, both flashbacks and "contemporary" timeframes can offer some real pops in primaries, as in the bright (if after a decade or two, battered) red of Cassian's sweet little droid. While noticeably improved in the 4K UHD release, fine detail is exceptional throughout every episode on all of the practical sets and costumes, and even the "lesser" resolution of the 1080 presentation provides typically exceptional fine detail on some of the more roughhewn fabrics some of the characters wear. Kind of interestingly according to the supplements all of the droid material was achieved practically, but there is of course CGI aplenty throughout the twelve episodes, and for the most part once again as with several other Disney+ properties, there's generally artful knitting together of real and animated elements.
Andor: The Complete First Season offers a nicely immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track (once again as with several other recent Disney+ related releases, the 4K UHD discs sport Dolby Atmos audio, which probably does provide a bit more "oomph" at times). Surround activity is consistent in the side and rear channels, including everything from ships erupting into hyperspace to some of the at times pretty bombastic scoring choices. There's some admirable balancing between some almost sylvan ambient environmental effects, notably in both the flashback sequences as well as some of the "secret renegade" mountain material with an adult Cassian, against more cacophonous battle sequences, resulting in some enjoyable dynamic range. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English, French and Spanish subtitles are available.
Note: All of the following supplements are on Disc One of this three disc set. Discs Two and Three do not offer any supplements.
The latest quartet of Disney+ offerings are all hugely enjoyable in their own ways, but I have to rate Andor as my personal favorite. Yes, there are going to be some probably either excited by or put off by some allusions to, as mentioned in the supplements, "the plight of the immigrant", but anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, not necessarily "displaced" in the familiar sense, will probably have at least some connection to what Cassian experiences. Once again production values are stellar and receive superb support via these discs' excellent video and audio. The supplements are enjoyable and the SteelBook packaging very nicely designed. If you can play the 4K UHD version, I'd opt for that one, but if not this 1080 release easily comes Highly recommended.
2022
Collector's Edition
2023
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Ultimate Collector's Edition
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