The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray Movie Review

"My name is Wan. And I will show you how I became the first Avatar..."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown July 3, 2014

With Amon's uprising quelled, all four elements mastered and peace returned to Republic City, the Avatar faces a host of new challenges in The Legend of Korra's second season. More difficult, though, were the challenges set before co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko upon the series' renewal. Korra was praised for its characters, story, action, animation and music; less so for its pacing, which by Book One's end was a bit hurried. Thankfully, with Spirits, DiMartino and Konietzo effortlessly ease into the saga of the newest Avatar with confidence and grace, not to mention a firmer grasp on the various conflicts as they unfold and the heroes and villains that drive them forward. It only helps that Spirits is two full episodes longer than its predecessor, has little need to retread established ground and offers a more complex, satisfying and rewarding clash of philosophies that bring it nearer and nearer to the bar set by Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-08). Book Two is a season of delights, gasps and laughs sure to leave fans clamoring for more. And if the first three episodes of Book Three: Change (currently airing on Nickelodeon) are any indication, Korra's increasingly absorbing tale might soon stand shoulder to shoulder with Avatar Aang's.

Six months after defeating Amon and restoring peace to Republic City, Avatar Korra (voiced by Janet Varney) leaves the relative safety of the capital and travels to the homeland of the Southern Water Tribe where she reconnects with her father (James Remar), meets Tenzin's (J.K. Simmons) water-bending sister Kya (Lisa Edelstein) and non-bender brother Bumi (Richard Riehle), and becomes a student of her uncle and tribal chief Unalaq (Adrian LaTourelle). Sadly, all is not as it seems. Korra soon finds herself in the middle of a budding war between the North and the South, battling new benders, exploring the origins of the Avatar cycle, learning about the first Avatar (Steven Yeun), and connecting with the Spirit World in frightening ways. Can Team Avatar -- Korra, fire bender Mako (David Faustino), earth bender Bolin (P. J. Byrne) and electricity-wielding Asami (Seychelle Gabriel) -- prevail? Will Korra find a way to bring balance to the physical and spiritual realms? Or will she be overwhelmed as forces greater than anything she's ever known are unleashed into the world?

What works? Almost everything. Like Book One, Book Two boasts sharp writing, outstanding character design, excellent voice casting and performances, fluid action and another winning, pitch-perfect score by Jeremy Zuckerman and Benjamin Wynn. One of the more visually unique, fully realized animated series on television, The Legend of Korra continues to offer everything fans of any age could ask for. Each element locks into place wonderfully, and there isn't a single episode that doesn't exhibit the same energy, ferocity and heart that made Aang's adventure the classic it remains. It's funny too. And expressive. And endearing. And charming. And infectious. And, and, and, and. This season, Korra and company even become as memorable as Aang and his friends. The Legend of Korra still isn't quite as strong as The Last Airbender, but it's getting there, scene by scene, battle by battle, hero by hero, victory by victory. By Book Four, viewers may be hard pressed to choose a favorite series. Even if Aang and company prevail, Korra and her companions won't be far behind.

Is there any downside? Unfortunately, one. Book Two isn't as gorgeously animated as Book One, particularly in early episodes. The first act of the second season looks rather rushed, with wide shots suffering and composition somewhat lacking. Things mend themselves as the story progresses -- "Beginnings, Parts 1 & 2" are magnificent and represent a righting of the ship so to speak -- and soon the initial shortcomings are forgotten. Still, Book One excels in its animation (among other things), Book Two excels in its writing (again, among other things). What you prioritize will partially determine your enjoyment, although it's worth noting that Book Two fares pretty well compared to other animated series. It's only in comparing its animation to Book One or The Last Airbender that any reduction in quality is apparent. Should that keep anyone away from The Legend of Korra? Not in the slightest. Book Two is well worth the time invested and the cost of admission.

The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Much like its predecessor, the Blu-ray edition of The Legend of Korra: Book Two features a solid, generally striking AVC MPEG-4 video presentation. Unlike Book One, though, Book Two's encode is interlaced (1080i rather than 1080p, as the back of the case states). I didn't detect any substantial decline in quality -- I actually missed it altogether when first writing this review -- but it's nonetheless a disappointment, if only as far as tech specs are concerned. In motion, the presentation is marred only by issues inherent to the animated source. Banding is quite apparent at times (typically when shading and light sourcing techniques are used to dramatic ends), as are softer shots caused by the "camera" artificially zooming in or out of the animation. Macroblocking is also fairly pronounced on occasion, which takes its own small toll. That said, there isn't much cause for concern, and what few distractions there are never amount to too significant an eyesore. Colors are bold and vibrant. Primaries pop. Black levels are satisfying. Contrast is nice and consistent. And detail? Detail is excellent, at least as far as the animated source is concerned. Lines are cleanly defined, nuances in the animation are showcased and every last touch the animators have added is intact and unimpeded. Again, banding and macroblocking are the only irritations of note; irritations, though, that are somewhat soothed by the knowledge that Paramount's encode isn't at fault. It isn't ideal per se (particularly since it isn't 1080p), but fans won't encounter much in the way of serious problems.

The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Book Two's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track delivers the goods and then some, packing enough punch, power and prowess to woo even the most hard-hearted listener. Dialogue is clear and reasonably well-grounded at all times, prioritization is precise and carefully balanced, and dynamics are excellent. LFE output is hearty, with rumbling thooms, resonant booms and all the oomph a bender battle requires. The rear speakers are put to good use too, reveling in the swirling flames, hurtling rocks, roaring winds and rushing waters that attack from every angle. Directionality is thoroughly convincing, pans are beautifully transparent and the soundfield is much more immersive than those that accompany most animated series. Fights are engrossing. Flights above the world exhilarating. Clashes between good and evil are that much more invigorating. And the music? The music embraces every scene, quiet or pulse-pounding, with cool ease. The Legend of Korra is as much a sonic powerhouse as it is a visual treat.

The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Audio Commentaries: The Blu-ray edition of Book Two: Spirits features 14 exclusive audio commentaries sure to keep fans of the show busy. Each track is quite engaging and extensive, and the only real difference between Season One and Season Two's commentaries is that none of the series' voice actors are present. And while that will no doubt disappoint some, it affords the showrunners a great opportunity to provide more focused insight into the creative process and other aspects of the production. The tracks may grow a bit dry at times, sure, but you'll come away with a clearer picture of exactly what makes Season Two the success it is. Commentaries include:
  
  
  • Rebel Spirit, with creator/executive producer Michael Dante DiMartino, creator/executive producer Bryan Konietzko, co-executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos and writer Tim Hedrick
  • Southern Lights, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Dos Santos and Hedrick
  • Civil Wars Part 1, with DiMartino, Konietzko and Dos Santos
  • Civil Wars Part 2, with DiMartino, Konietzko and Dos Santos
  • Peacekeepers, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Hedrick and writer Josh Hamilton
  • The Sting, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Hedrick and writer Josh Hamilton
  • Beginnings Part 1, with DiMartino, Konietzko and Track Team Jeremy Zuckerman and Benjamin Wynn
  • Beginnings Part 2, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Zuckerman and Wynn
  • The Guide, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Dos Santos and supervising producer Lauren Montgomery
  • A New Spiritual Age, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Dos Santos and director Ian Graham
  • Night of a Thousand Stars, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Dos Santos and director Colin Heck
  • Harmonic Convergence, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Dos Santos and supervising producer Ki Hyun Ryu
  • Darkness Falls, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Dos Santos and Montgomery
  • Light in the Dark, with DiMartino, Konietzko, Dos Santos and Zuckerman
  
  
• Scene Bending (HD, 81 minutes): A generous collection of animated storyboards are presented alongside the series' final animation. The scenes highlighted are taken from "Rebel Spirit," "The Southern Lights," "Civil Wars Part 1," "Civil War Part 2," "Peacekeepers," "Beginnings Part 1," "Beginnings Part 2," "The Guide," "A New Spiritual Age," "Night of a Thousand Stars," "Harmonic Convergence," "Darkness Falls" and "Light in the Dark."
• Inside the Book of Spirits (HD, 9 minutes): DiMartino and Konietzo provide a behind-the-scenes overview of Season Two, from the development of the story to Korra's arc, the evolution of the Avatar's interactions with the spirit world, the second season's new characters and returning favorites, scripting and recording sessions, animation and music, and the balance the co-creators had to strike every step of the way to tell such an interconnected saga.
• Kindred Spirits: Tenzin's Family (HD, 5 minutes): DiMartino and Konietzko discuss the siblings rivalries, quirks and conflicts that make Tenzin's bickering extended family the entertaining trio they are. From there, the co-creators touch on Tenzin's relationships with his children, as influenced by his past and present.
• Feuding Spirits: Korra's Family (HD, 5 minutes): Korra's parents, uncle and water-bending cousins are given much the same treatment, with DiMartino and Konietzo deconstructing the central family in Season Two.
• The Re-Telling of Korra's Journey (HD, 34 minutes): A lengthy review of Korra's journey thus far, as narrated by Tenzin (J.K. Simmons) and compiled from the series' first season.

The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Legend of Korra - Book Two: Spirits bests its first season in every way, and Book One was already an exhilarating introduction to the world and adventures of the new Avatar. Book Two offers a more refined story, more interesting character relationships, greater stakes and even greater rewards. If DiMartino and Konietzko keep this up, you'll hear less and less "but what about Aang?" and more and more "what's next for Korra!?" Paramount's Blu-ray release delivers as well, with a solid video presentation, thrilling DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track and a rather extensive supplemental package (that features 14 exclusive audio commentaries, in addition to numerous other extras). If you already own Book One, Book Two is a no-brainer. If not, snag both seasons and settle in for an exciting weekend. It will be well worth your while.