6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Turtles return to save the city from a dangerous threat.
Starring: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Laura Linney, Stephen Amell, Noel FisherAction | 100% |
Adventure | 88% |
Fantasy | 72% |
Sci-Fi | 65% |
Comic book | 62% |
Comedy | 19% |
Martial arts | 13% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
2016 Market saturation complete. And that's a pretty impressive feat for a series that dates back to comic books in the 1980s and quickly thereafter exploded in popularity with cartoons, toys, and live-action feature films. But boy oh boy, have things really gone nuts lately. Children of the 80s and 90s, now parenting children of their own, find themselves in the middle of a marketing bombardment that began with the much-maligned CG/live-action hybrid Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot film and, with Out of the Shadows, a market dominance that's wholly inescapable, particularly now that it's back-to-school season and everything -- literally, it seems, everything -- features the turtles. It's impossible to even walk through the grocery store isles without finding branded backpacks, notebooks, foods, various odds-and-ends merchandise, and of course price-inflated copies of the first film, featured prominently on an endocarp or two and playing on a TV screen attached, and no doubt to be joined this sequel once it finally enters the fray on release day. Oh, the kids will have to have it. There's nothing hotter than the Turtles right now, it seems, and they may even be bigger than Paramount's other big-money 80s reboot series, Transformers, beside which Out of the Shadows feels almost like a spiritual cousin. There's a distinct formula at play here -- Michael Bay-inspired visuals, very similar sound effects, a hope to capture the hearts of kids and the minds of adults who grew up with the toys -- and Paramount certainly seems to have the market cornered on recreated nostalgia and winning over a new generation of fans with snazzy, spruced-up, digital-laden behemoths of movies. Unfortunately, and even as it stands a fair bit taller than its infuriating predecessor, Out of the Shadows really isn't that great of a movie. But the kids will most assuredly love it.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows plays very well in 3D. The movie is a bit more enjoyable and feels more at home with the
added space and extra-screen shenanigans, complimenting the story and reinforcing its playful, feature-packed environments and character models.
The movie features a bigger spring in its step, feels less constrained, and more able to draw the viewer in. It's not often that 3D enhances a movie,
and even if the presentation isn't quite perfect or the most dynamic show of the format's abilities, as a pure movie watching experience in 3D, it's
one
of the best. Dimensional stretch is very strong and obvious, beginning with the overhead cityscape and titles pushing on towards the edge of the
screen and on through most every environment and sequence the movie has on offer. Fast movement through the sewer systems, freeway car
chases,
vistas above the city (and Madison Square Garden's basketball floor), and the movie's climactic battle sequence all take full advantage of the added
depth, stretching the frame and offering a much more substantial, immersive sense of place. Finer spread is also obvious. The bit of room between
the
turtles' backs and their shells, the way Donnie's glasses sit on his face, even collars and other protruding little details offer a tangible sense of real
spacing.
The movie is littered with moments that take advantage of the 3D effect going the other direction: popping out of the screen. Basic stuff like flying
sparks and debris certainly impress with the feeling that they're leaping out of the screen, but there are many examples of exciting, eye-popping
moments when front-and-center objects jump out. The tip-off at MSG is the first. Weapons, limbs, environmental details, and characters often seem
to
leap out of the screen's edge. Battle scenes are fluid and mesh both inward and outward dimensionality with expert balance. Mikey's ride on his
powered skateboard during the climactic action scene is the unequivocal 3D highlight on the disc. Beyond the 3D capabilities, the image stumbles,
but
just a smidgen. Detail suffers a tiny bit in 3D. The image isn't quite as crisp and refined as its 2D counterpart, but the bump down is minimal and worth the tradeoff. Same
with color. An already somewhat drab movie is further darkened, even in very bright places like the Knicks game or daytime exteriors. Again, it's
worth the trade. This is a hugely enjoyable 3D presentation that makes the movie a fair bit more entertaining.
Screenshots are sourced from a 1080p disc and do not reflect 3D picture quality.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows thrives on Blu-ray with a fun and high-energy Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The triumphant track produces an effortlessly wide, flair-filled, and engagingly cinematic assault on the ears. Clarity remains top priority, and even through many blended and mixed-up sounds, all play in harmony and each retains a distinct flavor through the mayhem. The track is remarkably smooth and efficient in movement. Imaging is excellent, stage saturation is full, and directionality is fluid. The overhead channels -- four of them engaged for the purpose of this review -- find only a few truly distinct moments, but the sense of greater immersion into the listen is obvious in most every scene beyond dialogue. The PA system at the Knicks game offers the roomiest and most clearly defined top layer sounds; it seems as if the listener is right there at the Garden with loudspeakers blaring straight overhead. General action is sharp and engaging. Metallic clanks, crashes, and movement work in total harmony. Explosions are met with prodigious, but balanced, bass. Wrecked vehicles skid through the stage with weight, but finesse. Choppers rumble, cars zoom. The soundstage enjoys plenty of movement through the traditional north-south and east-west routes but also tons of zigzagging from one corner to the next and, of course, a layered top end. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized. This is a fabulous listen and one Atmos owners will want to experience firsthand.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows contains all of its supplements on the included 2D-only disc. No 3D exclusive bonus
content is available. A DVD copy of the film and a
voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows makes for acceptable entertainment. It's flashy in construction, crude in storytelling, and repetitive in action. It's almost all noise and visual mayhem, with an honest effort at folding in relevant themes of identity and purpose into the story. It improves on the first film, though only, really, because it would be impossible not to make better on that atrocity of a picture. Little boys will love this movie to death. Parents who grew up on the classic comics, toys, cartoons, and even live action films might find this too much of a paradigm shift to enjoy. Paramount's Blu-ray 3D release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is a noticeable boon for the movie. It flows better, feels more natural, is just more entertaining. 3D isn't always this much fun -- it often just feels tacked on -- but Out of the Shadows knows how to use it to its full benefit. Combined with Atmos sound and a fair selection of extras, this the best way to watch the movie. Recommended.
2016
Cowabunga Collection Giftset
2016
with bonus disc, collectible shell packaging, and 2 reversible ninja masks
2016
2016
2016
2014
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
2007
2017
2017
2013
2015
The Rogue Cut
2014
Cinematic Universe Edition
2012
1993
2006 Original Release
2006
1990
The Richard Donner Cut 4K
1980
Extended and Theatrical versions
2011
2013
2013
2019
Theatrical & Extended Cut
2016
Cinematic Universe Edition
2019
plus Theatrical Cut on standard Blu-ray
2016
2019