6.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Astronaut Scorch Supernova finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an SOS from a notoriously dangerous alien planet.
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, Jane Lynch, Rob CorddryFamily | 100% |
Animation | 87% |
Comedy | 60% |
Action | 26% |
Sci-Fi | 24% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1, 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (2 BDs, 2 DVDs)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Digitally animated movies have descended from the heights enjoyed in the days of Toy Story, not necessarily losing their appeal but certainly traversing down from the summit of novelty and richness, past the plateau of charm and general appeal, and into a gray area where plots aren't so important anymore, where cutting edge animation doesn't really wow adult audiences, where the market is so flooded with knockoffs, wannabes, and yes, still the occasional mega blockbuster that films like Escape from Planet Earth seem to become lost in the shuffle, seemingly just another film that hopes to appeal to younger audiences who are still more concerned with bright colors, fast movement, and cheery and silly dialogue, caring not what the studio label at the beginning of the film says or even if the plot shares similarities to other like-styled pictures. While Escape doesn't enjoy the story richness of a Pixar film or the advertising muscle of DreamWorks, it's certainly several steps above the digitally animated equivalent of shovel ware that's starting to emerge (Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil, Adventures in Zambezia). While it won't be mistaken for the next great leap forward in entertainment, Escape from Planet Earth delivers an undeniably slick surface, and even if there's not a lot of depth past the animation, it's scripted and voiced just well enough to emerge as a sleeper surprise that should satisfy younger audiences and hold an adult's attention, too.
Blending...blending...blending...
Escape from Planet Earth ships with both its 2D and 3D version on separate discs in the same box; at this time there are no individual
releases,
so those wanting
only 2D will be stuck buying a 3D copy along with it. The good news is that the movie looks fantastic. The 2D image yields an unbelievably bright
color
palette. It's vibrant and satisfying in every shot, very even and well defined, no matter the place, time, lighting, or any other factors. From the most
brilliant shades of blue and red to the most subtle, underscored earthen tones seen in the desert exteriors, the film's colors dazzle from start to finish.
Details are just as impressive. The image is texturally refined, handling all extremes -- the very smooth glossy Baab surfaces and several heavily
textured uniforms
both -- with no issues at all. The finest little alien skin details, the graphics on displays and little touches on advanced machinery, even tiny pebbles
and
the sand seen in
the desert exteriors look amazing. Image clarity is second-to-none and there's a nice sense of space and depth even in the 2D version. Black levels
are
stunning throughout, and there are no signs of any banding, blocky backgrounds, or other unattractive eyesores. In short, this is an animated 2D
image
to dream about.
The included 3D transfer is itself no slouch. Anchor Bay's extra-dimensional presentation generally yields very good results, though to be sure there's
an occasional absence of tremendous depth, including some scenes that don't look too far removed from their 2D counterpart. The occasionally bland
3D effect is offset by some tremendous visuals. The film opens with a particularly cool and novel effect of snow falling through the screen and even
beyond the bottom "black bar," creating an effect that seems to blur the boundary between visual and screen. The same effect may be seen a bit
later in a shot of shattering glass. Some scenes yield positively tremendous 3D effect. An early exterior space shot of Planet Baab shows faultless
spacing; outer space seems to stretch to infinity, while the planet and the rings around it are perfectly realized. The transfer also retains
the same striking qualities found on the 2D-only image. Colors are vibrant in every scene; whether the glossy whites, the glowing 7-Eleven signage,
background computer readouts and buttons, or colorful monsters, the diverse palette never misses a beat. Details, too, are excellent, again whether
handling shiny-glossy Planet Baab instrument clusters, textured alien skin, or complex uniform details. Blacks are perfect, not at all darker than the
2D version. All around, this is a very high quality 3D effort from Anchor Bay.
Escape from Planet Earth features an exemplary DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. From the outset, listeners are treated to a deep, big-stage sound that finds excellent balance and soundstage distribution. Main elements are of course handled by the front, but the surrounds carry a healthy amount of content, too, all in good working balance and order. Clarity is commendable even through the moments that play with the widest soundstage in the most challenging elements, including big music or swooping action effects. The former, the music, enjoys that big stage range while the latter features the same with plenty of discrete information to go along with an abundance of wide, spacious, in-motion sound elements that find a realistic precision in every scene. As it pumps out the big effects so well, so too do the little ambient effects shine through. Anchor Bay's track handles buzzing neon lights, the business end of electrified prodders, and nighttime insects with a natural, pinpoint effect that helps balance the track and bring to life the most critically nuanced elements. Dialogue plays evenly and accurately from the center. In short, a perfect soundtrack.
Escape from Planet Earth contains several quality extras on the 2D disc. No supplements are included on the 3D disc.
Escape from Planet Earth has a lot of fun exploring its characters and universe. Even if the film isn't a bastion of originality, it takes itself lightly. It's a buoyant, bubbly, happy-go-lucky sort of movie that just rolls with limited range and cleverly mixes together its pieces into a movie that feels familiar but at the same time rather fresh. It's not an instant classic of its genre, but chances are younger ones will love it and parents with a Sci-Fi itch to scratch will enjoy it, too. Anchor Bay's Bu-ray 2D/3D combo release of Escape from Planet Earth features tip-top video, excellent audio, and a few extras. Recommended.
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Ultimate Collector's Edition
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