6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Gru and Lucy team up to defeat a new supervillain named Balthazar Bratt, an '80s childhood star.
Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana GaierAdventure | 100% |
Animation | 76% |
Comedy | 63% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS:X
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS Headphone:X
English: DTS 2.0
French (Canada): DTS 5.1
Spanish: DTS-HD HR 7.1
DTS Headphone:X Lossy DTS @ 255kbps; DTS HR 7.1 LA Spanish @ 24/48
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Perhaps the only thing more prominent in the Despicable Me universe than the lovable Minions is the name of the production company behind them -- Illumination -- which earns a ~30 second spot at the beginning of Despicable Me 3 and features prominently on pretty much everything related to the films and characters. And rightly so. Illumination has essentially created an empire out of the franchise, a multi-billion-dollar behemoth that has taken the world by storm, spawned a spin-off and an assortment of mini-movies, and become a merchandising juggernaut. The studio has also released two other unrelated but well-received animated adventures, The Secret Life of Pets and Sing. Illumination may not yet be at Pixar status, but the studio is inching ever closer in that direction as one of the top dominant forces in the industry. Its latest, Despicable Me 3, crossed that billion-dollar threshold on a budget of $80 million, another astounding rate of return even in a summer 2017 season that saw box office numbers on the decline. The film is fun and breezy, perhaps not quite as memorable as the previous outings but there's enough excitement, humor, and charm to keep all comers entertained and all but guarantee a very yellow and green future at the box office.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date. Also note that this UHD contains Dolby
Vision. We are not currently equipped to review Dolby Vision but are researching equipment options and will be upgrading soon.
Despicable Me 3's UHD presentation delivers a modest, but agreeable and immediately noticeable, boost in color and textural qualities over its
outstanding Blu-ray counterpart. The HDR-enhanced color palette never radically
alters any aspect of the production, but it does add an agreeable bit of color depth and pop to the proceedings. Every color across the very wide
spectrum, and particularly most
readily evident on large-scale and oft-seen shades such as the pink at the film's bookends, Minion yellow, and blue skies, benefits from the increase, all
of them finding that classic HDR boost to vitality, nuance, and depth. Likewise, textural qualities are increased by a small, but not insignificant,
margin. The image is noticeably sharper and finer-point details, such as can be seen on character skin and clothes (particularly the Gru and Dru white
and
black body suit outfits worn during the climax), reveal smaller textural qualities with greater efficiency and increased raw definition. That carries over
to
every element, large and small, of any variety; the image's increased stability and clarity are readily evident throughout. As with the Blu-ray, no source
or encode flaws are immediately apparent. While this doesn't ascend to the very peak of the UHD format, it's certainly a thoroughly enjoyable
presentation.
Despicable Me 3 features an exciting and energetic DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. As expected, it's lively and very big, never skimping at any point. Music, including the barrage of Pop songs scattered throughout, play with robust stage presence and exceptional instrumental and lyrical clarity. Whether Michael Jackson's Bad or the Despicable Me theme song, every beat enjoys fruitful push into the stage, plenty of balanced surround support, and even some complimentary, well-integrated overheads. The top end helps carry a few discrete elements as well, including some added reverberation from a PA address, though there are a couple of moments -- most notably a steady downpour at the 19-minute mark -- where the effect could stand a little more assertion up above, but such is a minor complaint in an otherwise excellent listen. But all of the movie's large-scale action sequences are certainly very impressive, tossing information hither, thither, and yon with precision, seamless movement around the stage and finding expert clarity even in the most frantic moments. Clear, precise dialogue rounds a wonderful track into final form.
Despicable Me 3's UHD disc contains no new supplements, but it does carry over the mini movie, The Secret Life of Kyle, from the
Blu-ray with a 2160p/HDR (presumably Dolby Vision) presentation. All of the core extras can be found on the bundled Blu-ray disc, and they are listed
and reviewed below. A
UV/iTunes digital copy code is also included with purchase.
Despicable Me 3 doesn't reinvent the yellow-dominant wheel, but it's a fun diversion with plenty of color, excitement, a few new interesting characters, and enough Minion shenanigans to keep everyone happy. The film could benefit from a little bit of trimming (even at 90 minutes) but established series fans should find it agreeable and newcomers can jump in without much worry, too. Universal's UHD delivers excellent video, wonderful audio, and a good complimentary array of kid-centric bonus content. Recommended.
2017
Special Edition
2017
Special Edition
2017
Special Edition | with Plush Minion Backpack
2017
Deluxe Edition | w/ Bonus DVD + Character Cards + Temporary Tattoos
2017
2017
Special Edition
2017
cancelled
2017
2014
2016
2014
2017
2016
2009
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2017
2017
2017
2012
Collector's Edition
2024
2016
Ultimate Collector's Edition
2018
2014
2019
2008
2013
2012
1994
2017