7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The Silver Anniversary of SummerSlam. Featuring Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H. From Los Angeles, California.
Starring: Brock Lesnar, Paul Levesque, Bryan Danielson, Phil Brooks, John CenaSport | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: LPCM 2.0
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A Storm is brewing.
SummerSlam may not be the WWE's premiere Pay Per View event -- it does't have the wide appeal and name recognition of WrestleMania, the glamour of Royal Rumbe, the fierceness of Hell in a Cell, or the sheer entertainment value of Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (note that the WWE has yet to release a full
TLC event on Blu-ray), but then again, any event that
assembles this much sports entertainment talent is worthy of an extra-cable event, some added glitz and shine and stars aligned for an evening of
A-grade professional wrestling action. 2012's version of SummerSlam marks the event's 25th anniversary, no small feat and a staying power that
places it right up there in
terms of longevity with WrestleMania, that showcase event marking its 28th year on the annual WWE circuit back in April. In the WWE, good
things tend to hang around, and even if 2012's SummerSlam isn't the definitive Pay-Per-View or even the year's one must-see WWE event, it's packed
with great wrestlers and several classic matches that are guaranteed to satisfy fans, whether those watching all over again or audiences checking it out
for the first time for a price that's more attractive than the exorbitant cost of the average WWE pay-per-view.
Bright lights, big body.
SummerSlam 2012 arrives on Blu-ray with a sturdy and attractive high definition transfer. The 1.78:1-framed image offers a wonderful barrage of colors. The digital signage, big screens, and wrestler attire offer a myriad of shades -- orange, blue, red, green -- that dazzle with their brilliance and accuracy. Fine detail is quite good, too. Close-ups reveal intimate facial details, right down to every last pore, hair, and bead of sweat. General clarity allows sharp and accurate images all around, whether front-and-center action or back into the many rows of fans. Graphics are sharp, though the image gets a bit unstable when close-up shots of people in front of large digital signage are on display. Skin tones are even, and black levels are solid. The image does suffer through some rather heavy bouts of background blocking, notably across some darker backdrops, but the general image is stable and clear. This image is typical of the average new release from WWE.
SummerSlam 2012 pounds out the WWE-standard Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. The presentation is mild but adequate. It enjoys a fair front-side presence, dominated by Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler ringside commentary and play-by-play. Ringside announcing and backstage dialogue alike play cleanly and evenly with no clarity issues of note. Music is suitably energetic when present, nicely spaced across the front and finding acceptable clarity through the entire range. Crowd noise remains primarily focused up the front but does lightly spread around to the backs. Listeners will never feel completely wrapped up in the moment and part of the live crowd, but the sound is at least present and accounted for. Typical WWE sound effects, such as wrestlers crashing onto the mat, play with a good, balanced presence that does a fair job of bringing the general sonic sensation of the matches home. The WWE has also included the Spanish announce table track, presented in LPCM 2.0.
This one-disc Blu-ray release of SummerSlam 2012 contains the following extras:
Home Video Exclusive:
SummerSlam 2012 won't be remembered as the WWE's premiere pay-per-view event of the year, but it's a rock-solid entertainer that assembles a fantastic roster that turns in one great match after another. The story lines are fine but not particularly memorable -- nothing will go down in the annals of professional wrestling as all-time classic dramas -- but fans will get their money's worth and more with each contest, and the main event between Brock Lesnar and Triple H lives up to its billing. The supplements weave together a fairly complete story of 2012's edition of SummerSlam, though certainly some aftermath highlights would have been welcome. WWE's Blu-ray release of SummerSlam 2012 features fine video and audio. Recommended.
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2012
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