6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 2.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's rock classic, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, returns to its roots with this sensational performance filmed in the UK during the Live Arena Tour. An incredible cast including Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot, Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, Chris Moyles as King Herod and Ben Forster as Jesus Christ, perform hit songs including "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Gethsemane," "Heaven on Their Minds," "Everything's Alright," "King Herod's Song" and "Superstar" in an exciting and contemporary interpretation.
Starring: Ben Forster, Chris Moyles, Tim Minchin, Melanie Chisholm, Alexander HansonMusical | 100% |
History | 9% |
Drama | 3% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Bulgarian, Czech, Estonian, Hebrew, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Thai, Turkish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
UV digital copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
For the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Weber (The Phantom of the Opera) and Tim Rice's epic Rock Opera album-turned worldwide stage production sensation Jesus Christ Superstar, a live arena tour was planned, but not before its lead was selected by the British public through the program Superstar, essentially a talent search-turned reality television program that would cast the winner in the role of none other than Jesus Christ himself. Ben Forster, a 31-year-old native of Sunderland, won the part and stars in the most modern, most fully-updated-for-a-new-generation version of the widely acclaimed and widely divisive Jesus Christ Superstar yet. Beginning in 2012 and playing in both the UK and Australia, the production attracted some 320,000 fans and also featured a former Spice Girl and a comedian in the key roles of Mary Magdalene and Judas Iscariot, respectively.
Crucified.
Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour is a breath of heavenly air next to the hellish transfer for the 2000 rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar which ranks as one of the absolute worst Blu-ray presentations on the market. While this one isn't quite perfect, it's a pleasure to watch. Minor aliasing and a hint of noise are the main issues here, but they're largely overpowered by the transfer's positives. Details are rich and frequently striking. Broader stage views are well defined and sharp but it's in the more intimate close-ups where the image truly shines. Facial pores and actor hair, makeup, and clothing accents are very sharp and intricate. Image clarity is strong. Colors are robust and pleasant, particularly as they stand apart under strong lighting and against the otherwise darkened backdrop. Black levels are deep and satisfying. Flesh tones appear neutral. For those wanting Superstar looking great on Blu-ray, this is the place to come.
Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack rocks. Musical definition is terrific, even as the songs spill out of the speakers with no shortage of enthusiasm, volume, and weight at reference level. Music plays with a wide, welcoming, and enveloping presence, supported by a healthy and robust back channel element and a deep, satisfying low end accompaniment. Whether the most electrifying musical currents or the most subtle lyrical nuance, Universal's soundtrack proves up to the challenge of delivering the entire Superstar sonic experience with the sort of vitality, robustness, immersion, and attention to detail the production deserves.
Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour's menu (and not a traditional Universal-themed menu at that) contains no text, only symbols, making
it a minor guessing game to decipher which symbol
houses what options. Inside the Blu-ray case, buyers will find a A UV/iTunes digital copy voucher.
Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour is a true spectacle of theater meets home video. It's a rich, detailed production that features strong performances of classic material that's withstood the test of time and, even now more than 40 years in age, maintains a level of freshness with every new rendition. This "Arena Tour" version is certainly the one to own between the competing "updated" versions of the production currently on Blu-ray, blowing the 2000 television version out of the water in every way, particularly in the Blu-ray disc's technical prowess. Recommended.
2010
2008
1973
15th Anniversary Edition
1996
2000
Warner Archive Collection
1952
1956
Fox Studio Classics
1954
2023
2021
Signature Edition
1979
1980
1973
The Musical
1998
Stephen Sondheim's Company
2011
2004
1962
1963
50th Anniversary Director's Cut | Theatrical on BD
1972
1928