6.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A race of orcs invades the planet Azeroth. There, they encounter few humans and dissenting Orcs, who fight back against the invaders.
Starring: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby KebbellAction | 100% |
Adventure | 91% |
Fantasy | 64% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.43:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Blizzard's video game World of Warcraft was, in 2015, amongst the inaugural entrants into the Video Game Hall of Fame, entering alongside other esteemed classics such as Super Mario Bros., Tetris, Pac-Man, and Pong. That puts it in seriously elite company. And with its sprawling story of humans (and other species) battling giant Orcs, it was only a matter of time before a related cinematic venture hit theaters. Seemingly long in development and anticipated for years prior to its release, Warcraft, directed by Moon's Duncan Jones, does justice to the material and stands as a special effects extravaganza, but the film doesn't quite find the same success as its video game namesake. Though not destined for any cinematic hall of fame, the film adaptation at least stands tall enough as a serviceably entertaining Fantasy/Adventure film that's more a product of its name and less any kind of interesting story it has to tell, forced to cram several games and many novels worth of development into a two-hour movie.
Warcraft's 3D presentation is quite good and impresses on most all fronts. The only real shortcomings stem from a color palette that lacks the brilliance of the 2D-only image and a modest uptick in aliasing, visible largely along smooth lines of armor pieces. Otherwise, the 3D image is good to go. Detail holds up very well, with real and digital characters and attire finding plenty of organic definition. Orc flesh is very finely presented and, much like the 2D image, is a showcase for the Blu-ray format and the state of digital visual effects. The 3D portion of the transfer delivers across the board. General depth is fantastic, when landscapes stretch out and overhead shots present with a tangible sense of distance. But some of the most interesting shots actually come in close-up. Orcs are very interesting creatures to look at in 3D. Their muscular mass is enough to take obvious shape in 3D, but add in some more layers -- those big teeth that protrude from the mouth, boney armor and hellish accents, and thickly clumped or braided hair -- and it all adds up to create a number of different pieces taking amazing shape, complimenting the whole very well, and creating a satisfying collection of shapes and spacings even in shots that show little more than head, chest, and shoulders. Some of the more ornate, curved, and finely crafted furnishings and location details are likewise voluminous and deep. There's also no shortage of limbs and weapons and other odds and ends that seem to stick out of the screen when pushing in that direction. This is a very impressive 3D effort that fans definitely need to see.
Warcraft's Dolby Atmos soundtrack doesn't deliver an onslaught of overhead sounds, but it does deliver a good all-around listen that uses the top layer to compliment the more grounded and immersive action. As it is, the track presents and maintains a level of listening excellence that's effortlessly immersive as all sorts of combat and supportive sound effects saturate the listening area. Battle scenes are everything listeners would expect of a finely tuned modern track. Screams, sword clanks, crashes, and all variety of mayhem jumble together with excellent definition, delivery, and sense of space around the stage. Battles are quite the clatter, supported by potent bass and plenty of natural surround use, including that complimentary overhead layer. Bass thunders in other places, too, maintaining breathtaking depth and detail even at the very bottom end of the scale. Supportive details encircle the stage. Gusty winds and blowing debris, whispery incantations, and discrete movement of lighter and speedier elements keep the ears engaged and the speakers working for the duration. Musical definition is excellent, again presenting with wide space, wrapping surround detail, excellent clarity, and a complimentary low end. Dialogue is clear and center focused and plays with natural prioritization.
Warcraft's 3D disc does not contain any supplements; all of the extras do carry over on the included 2D disc. Note that the 3D release does
not
include a DVD copy. Only the 2D Blu-ray (with all supplements) and the UV/iTunes digital copy voucher are include with purchase. Below is a listing
of the supplements available in 2D:
Warcraft may lack more readily accessible storytelling chops, but it's a technical marvel and an entertaining venture if one can just go with it. It'll speak more to established fans than newcomers, and the filmmakers have seemingly taken care to get a lot of it right. It doesn't lack superficial identity, but take off the name and redesign some of the pieces and there's nothing all that original here. Take it for what it's worth and enjoy the effects, action, and core story. Universal's Blu-ray 3D release of Warcraft delivers enjoyable and shapely 3D video and standout audio. Though absent a commentary track (a track featuring a few of the games biggest fans breaking down the movie would have made for an excellent addition), the supplemental department isn't otherwise lacking. Recommended.
2016
2016
with 8 Collectible Character Cards
2016
2016
Bonus Disc with over 30 Minutes of Exclusive Content
2016
Bonus Disc with over 30 Minutes Exclusive Content
2016
2016
2016
2016
2017
2016
2014
Extended Edition
2013
2014
2012
2014
Extended Edition
2002
Extended Edition
2003
2001
Director's Cut
2007
2019
2012
2016
2014
2017
2014
2011
2010
Extended Edition
2016