WWE: Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

WWE: Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator Blu-ray Movie Review

Obey the voices in your head and pick up this solid WWE release.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 31, 2011

I could feel my heart beat a little harder.

Randy Orton may be the epitome of the modern sports entertainer. He's hugely successful, bred from a background that seemed to assure him at least some measure of success in the ring, and is a man who has struggled to find himself on his journey towards superstardom. But find himself he did; the former troublemaking bad boy has evolved, changed his ways, and become one of the most gracious, fan-friendly, and personally dedicated champions that the sport has ever seen. Born to WWE greatness but aimless through his early years, Orton time and again failed to find his place in the world but turned to wrestling as a means of, first, self-promotion and success and, later, giving back to the fans and the sport's newcomers who themselves are now the rookies, the malleable newcomers filling the void once held by Orton. Randy Orton: Evolution of a Predator is a superb Documentary that simultaneously chronicles the star's rocky road to wrestling success while also following him through the early months of 2011 as he wrestles his way towards WrestleMania XXVII where he's destined for a timeless showdown with his rival, CM Punk.

The Viper.

Randy Orton, a legacy wrestler whose father and grandfather both dedicated their bodies to the world of sports entertainment, wasn't always destined for greatness in the wrestling ring. An aimless, uncertain high schooler who joined the military when he seemed to have nowhere else to go, Orton soon discovered that life in the service wasn't for him. AWOL for months and returning to find that not only was he not discharged but would be forced back into duty, the future WWE superstar disobeyed further orders and was sentenced to more than a month in a military prison before finally earning his release and taking his first step towards a career as a WWE wrestler. With a little leverage from his father, Orton soon found himself training alongside future stars like John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and Batista, the three of whom -- plus Orton -- would become the sport's next generation of talent, supplementing and, in many ways, replacing those combatants whom Orton grew up admiring through his television screen that he watched from his parents' basement and in between shifts at the local gas station: The Rock, Steve Austin, and Triple H.

WWE Randy Orton: Evolution of a Predator further examines "The Viper's" rise to instant WWE stardom, in addition to chronicling his journey leading up to WrestleMania XXVII. Orton's anticipated WWE debut came in April of 2002 when he was the youngest wrestler ever to set foot in the professional square ring. This is the story of his evolution not only as a wrestler, but as a person, too, a person who struggled not to find his place in the arena but rather his place as a husband and father. Orton crashed onto the professional wrestling scene as a cocky youngster who was physically, but not mentally or emotionally, prepared to take the reigns and rise to the same level of stardom as either those wrestlers he admired or those with whom he trained. This film looks at his time as a "legend killer" where he took on WWE's most famous superstars, young and old alike. It also examines his time in Ric Flair's and Triple H's "Evolution" team. But this is a wrestler who's more complicated than his matches and allegiances might lead one to believe. Known as the "enigmatic superstar," Orton's career rise to stardom has, in a way, reflected his rise to living a better personal life which, in turn, has only made him a superior wrestler. He's come full-cricle, and Evolution of a Predator tells in detail and engaging professionalism the story of his life inside the square ring and, more importantly, outside of it.

WWE Randy Orton: Evolution of a Predator is a current, well-produced, and even feel-good Documentary that chronicles the rise and work of the WWE Superstar, both as a wrestler and as a man. Though fans will enjoy the many behind-the-scenes glimpses into life backstage at a WWE event and the daily routine of a pro wrestler, the film succeeds mostly as an honest and informative look at the man who was and is, how his life experiences, marriage, fatherhood, and of course profession have morphed him from troubled soul to standout father, husband, and star. It sheds a light on a man whose successes have come to shape him into a better person, not the other way around, which seems sadly to be all too often the case with fame and fortune. This is a true, honest success story of a man who hasn't always made the right choices but who has learned from his mistakes and used them for good and not further bad, a man who has learned from his misguided ways and shaped himself into not only a fan-favorite WWE champion, but a better man, father, and husband. The film's documentary approach nicely compliments the moments of hardcore wrestling that dot it, but don't mistake this for a mere highlight video; the main program is a strongly-produced and surprisingly absorbing look at life from a rather unique perspective. Even non-fans might find in this an appeal and depth that will surprise viewers who dismiss WWE as staged sports entertainment but fail to find the positives in the people who have for decades helped make it one of the country's most popular live and television events.

WWE: Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

WWE Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator smacks down Blu-ray with a fair 1080i, 1.78:1-framed transfer. The image is a little soft and a touch fuzzy in spots, but also offers solid clarity and good detailing as rules rather than exceptions. Facial textures as they appear in close-up shots during HD-minted interview segments are nicely complex, and the transfer's clarity allows viewers to see in detail the finest nuances in Orton's complex arm tattoos. The color palette is quite good, nice and neutral without ever appearing either too dull or unnaturally warm or vibrant. Even under the harsh lights above the square ring, colors on wrestler costumes, jeans, suits, and other sport-specific garb look quite good. Unfortunately, there's a bit of banding and chunky background blocking, but the image as a whole is nevertheless highly watchable and often even enjoyable. This will never be mistaken for the pinnacle of Blu-ray video, but it's certainly a decent enough transfer of both HD and SD native materials.

WWE: Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

WWE Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator features no lossless soundtrack; only a Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation is included. Fortunately, this lossy mix proves to be more than adequate. Spacing is good and the surrounds carry a fair load of the program's music. Orton's intro music is satisfyingly big and deep, enjoying a solid low end and a good sense of immersion that transports the listener into the crowd. Otherwise, this one is made up of basic stuff. Ambience is limited to in-the-ring moments; much of the program is otherwise front-heavy and built around dialogue. Interviews are smooth and center-focused. Vocal clarity is crisply acceptable, whether words spoken in the ring or in basic interview footage. This isn't the action-packed sonic spectacle some might believe it to be, but the presentation is at worst adequate and at best immersive. It's a quality presentation of rather basic WWE Documentary material.

WWE: Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

WWE Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator contains a plethora of bonus features, highlighted by a large number of full-length matches spanning Orton's career.

Disc One:

• Randy Orton vs. Slick Robbie D (1080i, 4:3, 0:00:00-7:48): OVW Christmas Chaos -- January 31, 2001.
• Randy Orton vs. Hardcore Holly (1080i, 4:3, 7:48-12:11): Smackdown -- April 25, 2002.
• Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels (1080i, 4:3, 12:11-35:15): Unforgiven -- September 23, 2003.
• Intercontinental Championship Match (35:15-55:31): Randy Orton vs. Rob Van Dam. Armageddon -- December 14, 2003.
• Handicap Tag Team Match (55:31-1:16:41): Randy Orton, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, & Bautista vs. The Rock & Mick Foley. WrestleMania XX -- March 14, 2004.
• No Holds Barred Falls Count Anywhere Match for the Intercontinental Championship (1080i, 4:3, 1:16:41-1:44:29): Randy Orton vs. Mick Foley. Backlash -- April 18, 2004.
• Intercontinental Championship Match (1080i, 4:3, 1:44:29-2:13:46): Randy Orton vs. Edge. Vengeance -- July 11, 2004.
• Handicap Casket Match (1080i, 4:3, 2:13:46-2:44:05): Randy Orton & Cowboy Bob Orton vs. Undertaker. No Mercy -- October 9, 2005.

Disc one also contains the following Blu-ray exclusive special features.

• On the Road with Dad (1080i, 1.78:1, 0:00:00-2:43).
• Randy Orton's Championship Legacy (1080i, 1.78:1, 2:43-4:23).
• Randy's Motorcycles (1080i, 1.78:1, 4:23-6:34).
• Rhodes Stories (1080i, 1.78:1, 6:34-9:36).
• Photo Gallery (1080i, 1.78:1).

Disc Two:

• Randy Orton vs. Kurt angle (1080i, 4:3, 0:00:00-16:21): Vengeance -- June 25, 2006.
• Legend Killer vs. Legend (1080i, 4:3, 16:21-33:15): Randy Orton vs. Hulk Hogan. Summerslam -- August 20, 2006.
• Texas Bull Rope Match (1080i, 4:3, 33:15-45:32): Randy Orton vs. Dusty Rhodes. The Great American Bash -- July 22, 2007.
• Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship (1080i, 1.78:1, 45:32-1:10:36): Randy Orton vs. Triple H vs. John Cena. WrestleMania XXIV -- March 30, 2008.
• "I Quit" Match for the WWE Championship (1080i, 1.78:1, 1:10:36-1:37:46): Randy Orton vs. John Cena. Breaking Point -- September 13, 2009.
• Hell in a Cell match for the WWE Championship (1080i, 1.78:1, 1:37:46-2:09:41): Randy Orton vs. Sheamus. Hell in a Cell -- October 3, 2010.
• Randy Orton vs. CM Punk (1080i, 1.78:1, 2:09:41-2:29:44): WrestleMania XXVII -- April 3, 2011.
• World Heavyweight Championship Match (1080i, 1.78:1, 2:29:44-2:45:08): Randy Orton vs. Christian. Smackdown -- May 6, 2011.

Disc two also contains the following Blu-ray exclusive matches.

• The Royal Rumble Match (1080i, 1.78:1, 0:00:00-50:54): Royal Rumble -- January 25, 2009.
• Three Stages of Hell Match for the WWE Championship (1080i, 1.78:1, 50:54-1:19:45): Randy Orton vs. Triple H. The Bash -- June 28, 2009.
• World Heavyweight Championship Match (1080i, 1.78:1, 1:19:45-1:42:11): Randy Orton vs. Christian. Over the Limit -- May 22, 2011.

Disc two also contains the following Blu-ray exclusive special feature.

• The Evolution of Randy Orton's Tattoos (1080i, 1.78:1, 1:58).

WWE: Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

WWE Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator is a very good Documentary that chronicles the rise of one of the sport's best athletes and champions who also just so happens to be a great father and husband. It's the story of a man who found himself, allowed success to make him a better person, not just a richer and more popular person. It's a touching, well-made and informative glimpse into the life of one of WWE's most beloved current figures, and its messages on perseverance and the importance of evolution in the heart and soul, and not only in the arena, make this a worthwhile Documentary that even those who usually dismiss the world of professional wrestling might very well find to be quality viewing. WWE's Blu-ray release of Randy Orton: Evolution of a Predator features decent technical presentations a tremendous amount of bonus materials spread across two discs, coming primarily in the form of full-length wrestling events. Recommended.