7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Adventure | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 86% |
Action | 75% |
Animation | 50% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
German: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Star Wars Rebels may have replaced Star Wars: The Clone Wars on the animated TV show front, but it's not a
replacement
for the fan-favorite show. It's instead a continuation of the broader Star Wars saga and further definition of the sprawling universe, one
that intermixes characters, events,
consequences,
and all of the webs that hold and tentacles that reach throughout the galaxy of George Lucas' creation. Season two of Rebels is certainly
very
dependent on understanding the greater universe as it was developed in previous shows and films, particularly the prequel trilogy and character introduction and interconnected development
from throughout the Clone Wars
program. Rebels takes place after all of that and before the original trilogy of films, fitting in there some time around when Rogue One is set to play (it would be cool, and a nice little touch, for
one or more of the Rebels heroes to at least make a live-action cameo in that film; after all, movie and Clone Wars characters
have crossed into Rebels, so turnabout is fair play). Before going any further, Star Wars fans who may be behind on the animated
programs owe it to themselves to go back and start at the beginning with Clone Wars and work their way up to Rebels. Season
two will make a lot more sense that way, though it's certainly good enough, fun enough, and familiar enough to stand on its own. See reviews of
each Clone
Wars and Rebels seasons below:
Rebels.
Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two arrives on Blu-ray with an enjoyably proficient 1080p transfer. Colors are well saturated, particularly some of the brighter shades of lightsaber red and blue, Ahsoka's orange flesh, and plenty of other primary and support hues on display throughout. Details are fine. The show isn't by design all that intricately defined. That sort of blocky Disney Infinity look doesn't leave much room for nuance, but basic character shape, definition, and detail on attire and surrounding objects, like starship hulls, walls, and terrain, are enjoyably crisp and nicely revealing of the finer points the digital artists have created. Black levels hold up nicely in dark shots and scenes. A little bit of aliasing can be seen scattered around the season, though it only rarely rises to a level of noticeable annoyance. Otherwise, the picture is in fine shape, and Disney's presentation does Rebels proud.
Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two features a usually passable but sometimes shallow Dolby Digital 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The season begins with a disappointingly uneventful presentation. At reference volume, it's timid at best. Movement and detailing aren't lost, but the track has no soul, no sense of purpose, idling more than exploding. Ship crashes, explosions, and other sorts of would-be sonic delights fail to find much energy or oomph. Even dialogue sounds reserved, shy, though placement and clarity are fine. As the show progresses, the track picks up in intensity. By the end, it's still a good bit away from the excellence a lossless track may have provided, but it finds better balanced and engaged volume at reference, superior low end accompaniment to everything from lightsaber swooshes to explosions, and a more noticeable surround compliment. Music fares better, too, enjoying a more assertive presentation. The track is fine when it's on top of its game, not so much when it's shyly running for cover in the early going.
Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two contains supplements on all three discs. A Disney digital copy code is included with purchase.
Disc One:
Rebels is a fun show that's grown quite nicely over two seasons. Characters are enjoyable, the universe is rich and detailed with both established Star Wars moving parts and enough novelty to give the series its own identity within an exceedingly well-known quantity. That's not easy to do, but Rebels mixes it up very well. Stories flow well and, even with all that's going on here and across the galaxy, it all fits together easily enough. Longtime franchise fans will more than likely find plenty to enjoy here, particularly with that foundational understanding of season one's establishment, and lore from The Clone Wars, in the viewing arsenal. Disney's Blu-ray release of Star Wars Rebels: Complete Season Two delivers solid video, sometimes iffy but overall passable lossy audio, and a nice allotment of extra content, most of which is made of episode-specific behind-the-scenes shorts. Recommended.
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