6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
WrestleMania 36 is the 36th annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brands.
Starring: Mark Calaway, Joe Anoa'i, Brock Lesnar, Michael Coulthard, John LayfieldSport | 100% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
None
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 2.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
2020 has been an unusual year to say the least, defined not by the ordinary ebbs and flows of the modern world but rather massive shake-ups that have redefined what it means to live in the 21st century. Even as the world was in a constant state of flux as new, tangible, oftentimes tiny technologies enabled new approaches to everyday living, it was the invisible -- a tiny virus -- that put everything on hold, that challenged humanity to realize that even all of the digital interconnectedness really was no substitute for being together, that a screen cannot replace that craving closeness to flesh and blood after all. The sporting world was hit particularly hard in that regard. Television and Internet have made sports more accessible than ever before, but without fans in the seats, without that lifeblood energy pulsing through an arena, there seemed to no reason to continue on (and, of course, with great consideration for the safety of the athletes, too; it was not until COVID-19 hit the NBA and the league made the then-drastic decision to cease operations that things truly began to change, and fast, to the surreal). As the major sports shut down or delayed the beginnings of play, as schools shuttered and business were ordered to halt operations, as masks and social distancing replaced welcoming kisses and warm handshakes, it became quickly apparent that anything and everything was not just vulnerable to change, but that anything and everything had to change.
WrestleMania 36 may be a rare release to Blu-ray for WWE, but it's entirely typical of the studio's output in recent years, which includes the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and 1080i resolution. The picture is generally crisp and sharp, revealing fine-point skin and tattoo details in assorted close-up. Action shots hold steady, too, with even fast moving action maintaining stability as wrestlers fly around the ring and over the ropes. The picture's backgrounds are sparse, generally fading to black where fans might be, even the smaller footprint arenas where the show takes place. Those matches that take place beyond the ring's borders do enjoy good essential clarity though are sometimes more challenged by noise and compression artifacts, the latter of which do linger around backgrounds for more eagle-eyed viewers to see. Colors are appropriately bold, whether the limited digital signage or various examples of vivid attire or complex makeup work. Those black levels hold steady and skin tones seem fine. This is a perfectly watchable image in every way. It's absolutely far from perfect -- every WWE release has been labeled as such -- but most audiences will find a well-rounded presentation.
WrestleMania 36 doesn't have much to offer, sonically. The lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation captures the limited essentials nicely enough. Ringside commentary is generally clear if not occasionally, and very mildly, hollow. Prioritization slightly struggles to overcome some surrounding effects, such as crashes, smacks, ringside claps, and ref calls. Those additional elements are pleasantly detailed, and part of the novelty of this WreslteMania is the opportunity to pick up the little sounds that are often drowned out by the rowdy crowd noise. The material largely remains the property of the front channels, and the center in particular, without much of it drifting particularly far from center. Even intro music doesn't stray very far from center, and it plays through house speakers underneath the ringside commentary as the wrestlers enter. This is an extremely basic presentation, and it may as well be given the larger body of constraints that define the event.
WrestleMania 36's Blu-ray includes several bonuses on disc two, broken down into "Special Features" and "Blu-ray Exclusives." There are no
"meaty" extras; everything is simply additional matches and highlights from various programs leading up to WrestleMania. This release
ships with a loose Topps WWE trading card (I received Kofi Kingston) as well as a leaflet breaking down the disc content. Also included is a Movies
Anywhere digital copy code. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.
Special Features:
What a peculiar exercise in powering forward in a shutdown world. On one hand this WreslteMania plays awkwardly and on another it's a fascinating novelty. It works within the necessary context, and better to put on a show rather than no show. Most of the matches work, particularly those that journey beyond the ring. Several of those inside struggle to hold interest, but the action is solid, the storylines are fine, and it's cool to hear the banter between the wrestlers and with the refs so clearly. Sadly WWE continues to ignore Blu-ray outside of the annual Mania release, but the studio has not sacrificed quality. It looks good and sounds OK and disc two includes a solid compilation of extras. Recommended as a piece of 2020 history.
(Still not reliable for this title)
2019
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Wrestlemania 31
2015
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2008
Wrestlemania 28
2012
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2-Disc Collector's Edition
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