Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Childhood's End Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 19, 2016

Wars aren't fought for sport. Debate amongst those who hold conflicting ideas and ideals isn't vigorous without real passion behind it. Life's choices and one's own worldview aren't usually formed out of thin air. They're the products of personal experience, experiences shaped by history, yes, but also one's own experiences, momentous life occasions, and maybe even the smallest things in life that make the biggest impression. The point, without diving into much more complex existential, metaphysical, social, political, and religious notions, which could fill an entire book, is that the human condition isn't just something that's developed lightly, that's easily malleable or persuadable by even the loftiest and most noble of all-encpmpasing, catholic ideals. No, personal belief systems are what makes man, man. They're the driving forces behind everything that happens in the world, and they're so deeply rooted, so cherished on both the individual and subset collective levels that even the most ardent attempts to persuade or, on the other end of the spectrum, indoctrinate and force new ideas until one person's, or subset collective's, ideals become someone else's truisms is something that will likely never happen. Even today, with the saturation of ideas so readily accessible and propagated, there seems to only be more division, and division that's so deeply entrenched that the smart money is on near-future conflict -- physical conflict between opposing viewpoints -- rather than a sudden "Kumbaya" moment that would usher in a new era of peace and harmony but, more than likely, eliminate the very essence of individuality. But what if something so drastic happened, something the likes of which nobody had ever seen? Not a new way of espousing old ideas, not a new approach to tackling the old ways of doing things, but something so radical that it would instantly change the course of history, forever? Say...alien visitation and a promise of -- and forced compliance to -- peace and happiness? Would that change man's very essence, or only further entrench him in the ideas of individuality that have brought him this far, for better or for worse?

They're here.

The Earth is in dire straights (isn't it always?). War, famine, environmental concerns, and idealistic strife are commonplace, and only getting worse. There seems to be no end in sight, at least an end that doesn't involve the end of the world. Then, one day, planes gently drop out of the sky to safety. Cell phone and television signals go on the fritz. The skies open up and alien craft emerge. The dead appear to rise, but are only visions embodied by the alien visitors using the images as vessels to deliver an important message. They're going to take control, but not by destruction. Instead, they're going to rid the world of its problems. They will eliminate war, famine, and inequality. They will bring an end to suffering and injustice. They promise to usher in a new "golden era" of world harmony and health. They call themselves "enablers." The world calls them "Overlords." One Middle-America farmer named Ricky Stormgren (Mike Vogel) is chosen to represent the aliens, to act as a go-between and facilitate the transition away from the established ways of man and into the aliens' vision of blissful harmony. But not everyone is so accepting. A media-based resistance group known as "The Freedom League" rises to prominence, but even so the alien control over the world seems to be working. Disease is all but eliminated, previously conflicting factions find peace, and nobody goes hungry. But is the new world order really as blissful as it seems? Do the aliens have an agenda beyond making the world a better place? If in the old ways of the world smoke always begets fire, does peace beget pain in the new ways of the world?

The three-part SyFy miniseries event Childhood's End comes sourced from Arthur C. Clarke's (2001: A Space Odyssey) 1953 novel of the same name. Although the series is a little too effects-reliant, straightforward, and lacking the juicer, more in-depth philosophical overtones it merely plays with, there's plenty of thought-provoking material here that will leave the audience in greater wonder of what it all means. The series often feels relegated to service as a fancy springboard, a doorway into a much more comprehensive series of personal and global machinations. It broadly looks at the human condition and those ideals that both bring man closer together and drive him further apart, and how that line is sometimes clearly demarcated and, at other times, very much blurred. Perhaps the series' most interesting concept comes by way of its revelation that comes at the end of the first of its three parts, "The Overlords." It opens up a very provocative door that gazes into the realities and the preconceived notions of good and evil, of how they are sometimes inseparable and how they can sometimes come disguised as one but, in reality, be operating under the auspices of the other. It's also a tremendous hook that not only satisfies the first episode's lingering question but also propels the series forward, both in its most broadly thematic sense and by the aforementioned deeper philosophical notions it explores.

On the technical front, the series satisfies requirements but doesn't necessarily rise well above the norm. Visual effects are competent. They're not at all visually arresting, neither in terms of design nor execution, but the show is good enough on its thematic front that they're usually relegated to support status anyway, and only really interfere in those big moments of awe in the Independence Day-inspired arrival sequence. Mike Vogel is fine in the lead. He's not particularly charismatic, but the part doesn't call for that. He does manage to show a fair bit of personal evolution from everyman struggling in the brightest spotlight imaginable to finding a voice and piecing together some of the realities behind the visitation, both from a personal perspective and from a broader viewpoint as well. There are a few little nitpick flaws and things that don't make much sense here and there, too, in terms of logistics and why the aliens choose to do things one way rather than another, but most all of the series' flaws are more or less superficial and don't get in the way of the meatier details that rightly dominate the experience.

Childhood's End Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Childhood's End features a 1080p transfer that's not particularly noteworthy in any way but that, at the same time, doesn't offend the eyes. Source noise ranging from mild to moderate, with a few sprinklings of severe, is evident throughout. Otherwise, the image is largely typical of a modern, digitally photographed television product. It's very clear and robust, a bit flat and inorganic to be sure but offering clearly delineated details, particularly more broader elements like attire and skin. Grasses, trees, and other background details can sometimes go a little smeary. Colors offer adequate punch and vitality while finding a pleasant neutrality within the broader palette. Black levels tend to push a bit towards crush. Flesh tones are fine but are often influenced by surrounding lighting conditions. This is a very average 1080p presentation, lacking any distinctive flair but never disappointing all that much from a purely technical perspective.

Childhood's End Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Much like its video counterpart, there's not much of a distinguishing characteristic to the soundtrack. Childhood's End features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that delivers a satisfying listen, and one without any glaring technical weaknesses, but at the same time one that's hardly distinctive in any way. There are some good examples of directionality throughout as objects maneuver from one speaker to the next. Musical definition is clear and reaches wide across the stage. The low end is deep and punchy both in support of music and sound effects. Small bits of action are healthy and present with a nice spread around the listening area. Dialogue delivery is clear and well prioritized with natural center balance.

Childhood's End Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Childhood's End contains many deleted scenes on both Blu-ray discs. A UV digital copy voucher is included with purchase.

Disc One:

• Deleted Scenes (1080p): Scenes from "The Overlords:" Unbelievable! (0:25), Hands Across the Water Moment (0:40), Young Jake & Amy Talk On Phone (1:03), Ricky Plays Ball -- Long (3:18), Ricky & Karellen First Meet -- Long (9:34), Young Amy Leaves Home (0:37), Young Amy Dying with Rick & Danlow in Field (7:51), Young Jake & Amy in the Park (0:57), Ricky After First Press Conference (0:38), Karellen Introduces New Tech (0:48), Young Jake & Amy Talk in Bed (1:30), Danlow Drinks Alone (0:27), and Ellie Wants to Have a Baby (1:00).

Disc Two:

• Deleted Scenes: Scenes from "The Deceivers:" Larry & Mrs. Larry 1,2,3 (1:39), Jake Works (1:16), Milo Sees Dog Eyes (1:13), Milo & Rachel Drive (1:12), Milo Figures Out Some Things (1:28), Ellie Cares About Pilgrims and Misses Diesel (1:32), Tommy Has an Episode at Dinner (3:51), Ricky Flown Home (0:30), Ellie Donates Clothes (0:30), Peretta and Karellen Posters (0:52), The Greggsons Arrive at the Party (0:24), Jake & The Dollar Bill (1:02), Milo Meets Karellen (1:33), Karellen Meets Party Goers (1:01), Karellen Reveals the Truth (0:51). Scenes from "The Children:" Milo Talks About the End of Religion (0:54), June Comes to Visit (0:44), Ellie Breaks the News to the Town (2:31), Retrieving the Children (0:51), Jennifer Head (0:22), Milo Leaves Earth, Boyce Stays Behind (3:44), Dying Ricky Runs into Dying Ricky (1:25), Mass Suicide (2:22), Amy's Flashback (2:12), Milo Attacked by Octopus (2:26), Milo Gets Help with a Selfie (0:57), Milo Flies to the Overmind Beam (2:06).

Childhood's End Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Childhood's End is good television based around a great concept originally written in a classic work of fiction that gets to the heart of what it means to be human, both individually and collectively, and all of the good and bad that come together in the journey through life and time. There's certainly room for improvement here, but as a springboard into one of the most thought provoking ideas of all time, the show satisfies. Universal's Blu-ray release of Childhood's End features good video and audio. Supplements are limited to a large collection of deleted scenes. Recommended.