James Harvey | popgeeks.com

“South Park: The Complete Fourteenth Season” Blu-ray Review

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It’s amazing how relevant South Park can stay fourteen years into its run. Where other shows falter and sputter to the end, barely crossing the finish line intact, South Park seems to always adapt to the situation, managing to become stronger, sharper, and…just funnier with every season. This latest season is definitely no exception to the rule, either. Nothing is out of reach for this gutsy show, and no prisoners are left behind as they viciously take apart, piece by piece, different facets of our day-to-day lives. However, while South Park strives itself on pushing boundaries, it seems like they may have hit a wall with a particular two-part adventure. More after the synopsis…

Synopsis:
All fourteen episodes from South Park‘s notorious 14th Season are packed into this exclusive three-disc set. Join Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny as they dive into social networking, defend against annoying Jersey “muff cabbage” and finally reveal the secret identity of Mysterion in an epic three-part saga. Top that with some never-before-seen deleted scenes and a little crème fraiche, and you’ve got a collection that will leave you drooling. Shablagoo!!

Go get it out of the way, yes, the South Park episode “201” included here in this season collection is the same censored version that was originally broadcast on Comedy Central. The episode was heavily censored when it originally aired, effectively blocking out or bleeping any mention of Muhammad, after the network received terrorist threats from a radical group condemning any depiction of the claimed prophet. Naturally, this raised a fair amount of controversy among the fanbase, many of whom didn’t agree with the edits done to the episode by the network. Outside of this, though, all the other episodes appear in unedited form.

What manages to keep South Park entertaining is not only because it’s able to poke fun at itself when need be, but to also remain timely and up with current events. And, like previous seasons, this show remains so up-to-date with current events that it’s just…scary at times. True, it dates the show a bit when you watch it again years down the line, such as episodes like “Sexual Healing” or “It’s a Jersey Thing,” or when they make fun of Justin Bieber or the Shake Weight, but they also got some great ‘timeless’-ish episodes, too, like “Poor and Stupid” and “Medicinal Fried Chicken.” Still, the more “of the time” episodes don’t seem to lose their spark, given how quickly they’re able to latch on to current events.

Another big plus to this season is some of the big, big moments for the characters. Whether it’s the genuinely surprising revelation of Cartman’s real father in the two-part “200”/”201″ episode, or the excellent three-part “Coon and Friends,” the creators make sure to spend time developing the characters on top of presenting some incredibly outlandish scenarios. And, boy, it gets…pretty out there at times. This really is an absolutely insane season of South Park. All the fun and edginess is there, perhaps even a bit more mean-spirited, but it also seems more…just out there…than usual. The show continues to excel at the humor, thoguh some episodes are unerstandably better than others, but some pretty relevant underlying messages help booster the series past your standard gross-out humor.

In the end there’s little more exciting than watching fourteen episodes of South Park and while they may air in batches of seven on the network, watching them all back-to-back again on the set itself made it feel like more of a complete season. Of course there’s no string that runs throughout the season, but it is still a highly entertaining cartoon. What is really so exciting about the show, however, is that there have never really been any truly horrible seasons. Hit and miss episodes, yes…but the show has yet to succumb to the ways of The Simpsons. Of course South Park has also had shorter seasons and nice, long breaks in between so that may have something to do with it as well.

The episodes included in this collection are “Sexual Healing,” “The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerballs,” “Medicinal Fried Chicken,” “You Have 0 Friends,” “200,” “201,” “Crippled Summer,” “Poor and Stupid,” “It’s a Jersey Thing,” “Insheeption,” “Coon 2: Hindsight,” “Mysterion Rise,” “Coon vs. Coon and Friends,” and “Creme Fraiche.”

Overall if you’re a fan of the show, then the fourteenth season is another strong entry in the line (fourteen seasons…unreal!). A few episodes drag on, but for the most part you’ll be laughing your head off at both the absurdity and genuinely thought provoking nature of some of the shows. Recommended.

The Blu-ray:

Another season of South Park means another great collection, on both DVD and Blu-ray, from Paramount Home Entertainment. This two-disc set, again, doesn’t disappoint. Ever since Paramount has started releasing South Park to Blu-ray, the quality has always been just about impossible to beat. South Park: The Complete Fourteenth Season features all episodes in 1080p/AVC and mixed in 5.1 Dolby TrueHD audio. The image is really, really stunning and, at times pretty hard to believe. I still can’t believe how far South Park has come since its beginnings, and how it looks this amazing today. And the sound is pretty top-class to match, a solid mix.The colors are deep and striking, the detail shockingly crisp, and the sound nice and clear.

Like previous releases, extras are kinda slim but not underwhelming. Every episodes gets a nice mini-commentary by creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, each as informative and witty as the last. They always manage to drop a few interesting tidbits during each, though one of the commentaries features a great gag that acknowledges the controversy surrounding episode “201.” Also included are a handful of deleted scenes, in nice high definition, a bonus episode from the last season (“The Coon”), and a code for a free The Book of Mormom song download. All in all…not too shabby. A solid collection for a great series.

Overall this South Park: The Complete Fourteenth Season Blu-ray collection is a fantastic ride with great extras. Not much different in terms of past releases, but when you do it right, why change the formula? Some fans may be uneasy to pick this up, given the controversy surrounding episode “201” – some are actually boycotting this release – but I don’t think it should be passed up. South Park fans should add this release to their collections, not just based on the strength of content, but the neat historical footnote for the series given the controversy found this season.

South Park: The Complete Fourteenth Season is now available to own on Blu-ray and DVD.

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“The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Season One, Volume One” DVD Review

When you do a cartoon series based on some of the biggest characters in the Marvel Universe, you want to do it right. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, to put it very simply, gets it right. Remember that terrible The Avengers: United They Stand cartoon, where the only good thing was the fact that it ended after thirteen episodes (though there was the awesome spin-off comic handled by Ty Templeton, but that’s for another time)? Well, this latest adventure series from Marvel Animation makes up for it in spades. Full of great writing, solid animation and exciting action, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes puts Marvel’s big guns out there and does them justice. Suffice it to say, this is the cartoon that countless Marvel fans have been waiting for!

Synopsis:
When the planet is threatened by super-villains, time traveling conquerors, mythical monsters or mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left… The Avengers assemble! Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Ant-Man, Wasp and The Incredible Hulk! Earth’s Mightiest Heroes must band together to protect the world from a break-out of Super-Villains the likes of which no one has never seen. Only the Avengers can stand against this threat, and the fate of the world rests on their shoulders. Discover their adventures and experience the excitement of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!

As odd as this compliment may sound, I find The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to be…comforting. It’s straight-forward heroics with dynamic, developed characters. The action and stories feel “classic” to me, yet also not out of date. The show feels…genuine. That, to me, is probably the reason why this show has become such a fan-favorite among the comic crowd since its debut. Given some of the dubious treatment of the characters in the comics, the Avengers here feel as they should – heroes to the core. They’re called “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” for a reason, and we see it here.

We get all the big guns – like Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk and Thor – plus a few high-class B-listers – like Hawkeye, Giant-Man, Wasp and Black Panther. Together, they make up a pretty much iconic line-up of heroes. While Marvel has their fair share of big-time teams, I can’t think of any team more iconic than these guys. To me, when you think ‘super-hero team,’ you think of The Avengers (and the Justice League). Well, a comic reader like myself does, and hopefully this show will introduce this great gaggle of heroes to a new generation of comic readers.

This show works for me because it hits what I believe is the core truth of the Avengers, that they are the superteam of the Marvel Universe. Yeah, we also have our X-Men and Fantastic Four who go off and have their amazing adventures, but The Avengers are…they are what hold the Marvel Universe together. They are what other heroes strive to be at the end of the day. The X-Men want to be admired like them. Spider-Man looks up to these heroes, they are his idols. And even though this show is just starting, and the team is just coming together here, the creative team behind the show get it. They get what these characters represent on a higher level and in overall status for the Marvel Unvierse. And while they decide to become a team a bit too quickly at the end of “Breakout, Part Two,” thankfully they still do take the time in the following episodes to explore how this team will come and work together.

In fact, how the show starts off, with five episodes each composed of four inter-connected vignettes, it allows us to learn about these characters in a gradual fashion, effectively showing us just why these characters belong together. Mix in some backstory, lay the groundwork for future plotlines, and the show starts off on the right foot so, when the team does form, it works. They’re not just mushed together, but it feels a bit more natural than that. Of course the full team isn’t formed after “Breakout, Part Two,” but that’s just another charm of the series – it evolves. Yes, The Avengers are born at the end of the first two-parter of the series, but that’s not the end of it. New characters appear and join…heck, some even leave, but we do get to the final roster (for now), by the end of the last episode included on these two volumes, and it’s a good approach by the creative team. It just allows us to get to know the characters as they get to know each other, which in effect gives the viewer a bit more of a personal stake in the whole thing.

The show isn’t about each individual character and their assorted origins, but how they came together to become The Avengers, how they became a team. Yes, we learn about each of these characters, but the underlying theme in all of them is what led to each character becoming an Avenger prevails. We learn what we need to and how that eventually brings each character together.

My beefs with the show are very, very minimal. I found the birth of the Avengers at the end of “Breakout, Part Two” to be a smidgen rushed. It really needed just a couple more minutes just to allow the scene to breathe and move naturally along. And some episodes may be a bit weaker than others here, but overall I don’t really have much to complain about. The gelatinous Dough Boy seems a bit too silly as a villain to use in the episode “Living Legend,” another little nitpick I have. The writing seems just fine, the characters are all likable, the action well-handled (definitely a step-up from Wolverine and The X-Men, which seemed to suffer from slow action beats), and the stories never boring. Like I said, some episodes are better than others (the two-part “Gamma World” is easily my favorite in the collection), but there’s not an out-and-out stinker in the bunch.

The episodes included in release are “Iron Man is Born!,” “Thor the Mighty,” “Hulk Versus The World,” “Meet Captain America,” “Breakout, Part One,” “Breakout, Part Two,” “Some Assembly Required,” “Living Legend,” “Everything is Wonderful,” “Panther’s Quest,” “Gamma World, Part One,” “Gamma World, Part Two.”

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the comic material, or new to the scene, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is definitely worth your time (and, in this case, your money). It has this charm to it, this obvious attention paid to it, that allows it to rise above most of the animated shows that have come from Marvel. While not on par with the likes of The Spectacular Spider-Man, it can proudly stand alongside the likes of Wolverine and The X-Men and the best of the Marvel Animated Features DTVs, and deserves to be added to one’s home video collection. The casting is great, the writing is great, the animation is slid, and it all comes together in fine form. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes comes Highly Recommended.

The DVD:

Available only in Canada, though still playable on all Region 1 and Multi-Region players, Vivendi Entertainment Canada brings us The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Season One, Volume One in undeniably snazzy packaging. No doubt they’re going the extra mile to try and lure Canuck fans from importing the American releases for the series and, well, you have to admit they’re doing a heck of a great job with it.

This two-disc set, that in itself has already grabbed the attention of many, is housed in a nice cardboard digipack fold-out case. No slipcase to keep it in, unfortunately, but the cardboard case folds out to reveal two separate disc holders and an additional page to house the exclusive poster also included. It’s definitely a great looking package that, undoubtedly, will stand out on shelves. It looks, well, high-class. It reminds of the great effort Vivendi Entertainment Canada put into their Wolverine and The X-Men: The Complete First Season Steelbook release. It just looks great, plain and simple. However, packaging isn’t everything, so let’s keep going…

The widescreen transfer on all thirteen episodes, across both discs, looks great but not perfect. Compression is definitely noticeable, but not to the point where it’s too distracting. It’ll be apparent from time to time. Colors remain bright and vibrant, the blacks are deep. While not on par with the The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes DVD releases from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, they’re still nothing to scoff at. Moving on to the audio, the English Dolby track is crystal clear and, at times, just enjoyably loud and thunderous. The French audio track also gets a good showing. It’s a respectable showing from the Vivendi crew.

Extras are pretty slim here, sadly. The bonus features add up to three additional featurettes already readily available on Marvel.com. Each run only a couple of minutes and…that’s it. For those who haven’t seem these featurettes, all three are rather enjoyable fluff peices that run a few minutes. One features story editor Chris Yost, and the other two spotlight voice actors from the series, Rick Wasserman and Fred Tatasciore. Slim, yes, but could be worse…they could be barren like the recent Batman: The Brave and The Bold two-disc sets from Warner Home Video. Still, Vivendi does deserve serious recognition for making sure this is one release that people don’t skip over on the shelves.

Now, will these stop Canadian fans from importing the single-disc The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes DVDs released in America? Well, it depends on how crucial the bonus features are. If they’re not important, then this nice two-disc set from Vivendi should do fans just fine. If bonus features are important, well, I have to give the nod to Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and their informative features that look ahead at the second season of this great cartoon. Still, Vivendi also has a leg up with their release being a two-disc set at an affordable price (between $15 – 20 dollars), while Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is releasing two which’ll cost slightly higher (between $20 – 25). There are a couple things to consider for Canucks trying to decide which edition to get.

Judging this collection solely on its own merits, and no comparisons to any other concurrent releases, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Season One, Volume One two-disc DVD release definitely comes Highly Recommended to own. This cartoon is perfect – absolutely perfect – for new fans, casual fans, and the die-hards. This show embraces what makes The Avengers such a great Marvel team and just runs with it…and it works beautifully! It provides enough nods to the well-versed fans while not alienating those new to the franchise, and manages to balance it all quite nicely. Plus, the show’s just fun! Toss in a gorgeous looking package, slim but enjoyable extras, and you have a great two-disc set that fans really should pick up. Seriously – go get it!

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Season One, Volume One Limited Edition two-disc DVD release hits Canadian retailers on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011.

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“The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One & Two” DVD Review

It’s safe to say that this is the cartoon Marvel fans have been waiting for. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes brings it all out there, so much of what makes the Marvel Universe such a unique place, and pretty much lays it all out on the table. And, for those having flashbacks of the old The Avengers: United They Stand Fox Kids cartoon, fear not, they hit it out of the park. Yeah, there are just a handful of teensy-tiny issues but, overall, this is a very strong showing for some of Marvel’s best heroes, and simply a great new series from Marvel Animation.

Synopsis:
When the planet is threatened by super-villains, time traveling conquerors, mythical monsters or mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left… The Avengers assemble! Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Ant-Man, Wasp and The Incredible Hulk! Earth’s Mightiest Heroes must band together to protect the world from a break-out of Super-Villains the likes of which no one has never seen. Only the Avengers can stand against this threat, and the fate of the world rests on their shoulders. Discover their adventures on these new DVD home video releases – The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment!

Please note this review will cover both DVD volumes – The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! – given the content of each.

The episodes included in these two single-disc volume releases are “Iron Man is Born!,” “Thor the Mighty,” “Hulk Versus The World,” “Meet Captain America,” “Breakout, Part One,” “Breakout, Part Two” on The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and “Some Assembly Required,” “Living Legend,” “Everything is Wonderful,” “Panther’s Quest,” “Gamma World, Part One,” “Gamma World, Part Two” on The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn!.

The DVD:

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) has collected the first thirteen episodes of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes over two separate single DVD releases and, to be honest, much like the animated program itself, there’s little to complain about. Packaging is standard Amaray cases snugly tucked in foil-embossed cardboard slipcases. Looks sharp and will stand out on shelves.

Digging in, WDSHE provided what I find to be a satisfying release. In terms of audio and video, you really can’t ask for better here. The widescreen transfer on all thirteen episodes, across both discs, is pretty spectacular and near flawless. Yes, there’s some slight compression and noticeable aliasing, but you won’t see it unless you’re looking for it. The colors are bright and vibrant, the blacks are solid, and everything appears smoothe. This is a seriously high-quality transfer, something that seems to becoming a rarity on DVD thanks to Blu-ray. This show will look stunning on your TV and, thankfully, it’ll sound just as excellent. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 track is crystal clear and, at times, just thunderous. Action scenes pop and work all the channels, with quieter scenes sounding just as crisp. Crank it up, folks!

Extras are slim but not underwhelming. Outside of the standard collection of trailers (including a trailer for the live-action Thor theatrical film), bonus content consists of two featurettes, totaling fifteen minutes, looking at the second season of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. These featurettes are filled with spoilers, so watch out! Clips from first and second season episodes not yet broadcast come fast and furious, along with production artwork, so if you don’t want those ruined….becareful! The featurettes are dubbed “New Looks, New Heroes” and “New Stories, New Threats,” and deliver exactly what their names state. Personally, after watching these, I’m really excited for the first season to finish up so we can move ahead with the second. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes looks to be moving in some pretty interesting directions.

My only gripe is that I wish this WDSHE released a two-disc set as opposed to two single-disc volume releases. The first thirteen episodes in one collection. That seems to be a growing trend among, see the recent Batman: The Brave and The Bold DVD releases, and it would’ve been nice to see that done here. Outside of that, I have nothing to complain about for these releases. Everything is pretty top-notch across the board when it comes to quality here.

Overall, fans will not want to miss out on The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! when they hit shelves. I find these two volumes are the perfect way to introduce new viewers to these great Marvel characters. The stories and characters are accessible, the animation is well-done, and the show never fails to entertain. For comic fans, this is the Marvel Universe cartoon you have been waiting for – no question about it! For those looking for a great access point into the world of Marvel, this is seriously the best place for you to start. Both The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! come Highly Recommended, and I recommend you pick up both volumes in order to get the full experience of Marvel’s latest and possibly greatest ‘toon!

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! arrive on DVD April 26th, 2011 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

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“The Incredibles” Blu-ray Combo Pack Review

Sometimes a name is so perfect, so dead-on, that there’s really no other way to describe it, and The Incredibles is a case of just that. Even now, years after it first hit both the big screen and DVD, it remains just as incredible as I remember. The animation, the story, the brilliant casting and voice acting….even the character acting reminds me why this is one of the best films Pixar has to offer. Yeah, Pixar can seemingly do no wrong, with each of their films garnering a ridiculous amount of critical acclaim, but I have a bit of a soft-spot for this one above all others. I just seriously dig this movie. It’s quite simply one of the best superhero movies ever made…despite it not being based on an existing set of characters.

Synopsis:
From the creative minds behind the Toy Story films and Ratatouille comes this hilarious, action-packed animated adventure about a seemingly ordinary family with an incredible secret. Experience The Incredibles like never before on Blu-ray High Definition! Known to the world as superheroes Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, Bob Parr and his wife Helen were among the world’s greatest crime fighters, saving lives and battling evil on a daily basis. Fifteen years later, they have been forced to adopt civilian identities and retreat to the suburbs to live “normal” lives with their three kids, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack. Itching to get back into action, Bob gets his chance when a mysterious communication summons him to a remote island for a top secret assignment. He soon discovers that it will take a super family effort to rescue the world from total destruction. Exploding with fun and exciting bonus feature available only on Blu-ray, this spectacular release is edge-of-your-seat entertainment for everyone.

The Incredibles may not be the most acclaimed animated feature to come from Pixar but, as I said, it remains a personal favorite of mine. Of course, that has to do with my love of comic books and super-heroes. The Incredibles is one of those rare films that perfectly captures the adventure, spirit, and intrigue that comes from the best super-hero stories. Add in the fact that the film is genuinely entertaining, the action jaw-dropping, the story is rip-roarin’ fun, the characters are all brilliant from top to bottom and there’s nary a weak link in the bunch, and you have a film that’s hard to beat. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg, too! There’s so much more to it than that, including themes that push way past the surface into some of the standard hallmarks of our society, which shows just how well-orchestrated this film is – that under the laughs and fisticuffs, this film has plenty to say.

And by no means is this film shy about embracing its roots. The Incredibles is just dripping with affection for the super-heroes we all remember growing up with. To me, this movie plays out like a Marvel comic book from years past (before the befuddling current era of comics that, while still enjoyable, are not as accessible as they used to be), with heroes feeling like real people, not archetypes that fit into specific molds. Each character feels real and relatable. Whether it’s super-hero dad Bob Parr struggling through a menial job when he knows he can do so much more, the kids Violet and Dash trying to break out of their respective shells, or wife Helen trying to keep the boat afloat, everything just hits dead on. Heck, even their super-powers are perfect metaphors for what they’re feeling and trying to overcome in their own lives. Nothing feels arbitrary but, at the same time, it all seems so effortless on part of the film’s creative team.

And boy, everything about this film seems to be so carefully constructed, down to every angle and every frame. Director Brad Bird has obviously slaved over this film, and just poured everything he had into it, and it thankfully all shows in the final product. This film is a definite love letter to not only super-heroes of a bygone era, but to the power of a strong family unit. The Incredibles has so much going for it that it’s easy to just lose yourself in the final product. Everything just comes together so flawlessly, so much in fact that it’s easy to miss the odd joke or observation made. And, yes, there’s plenty of super-hero deconstruction on parade, but it’s done in a fashion where it’s not smug or overbearing, but apt for the story being told. Like I said, everything is stitched together with such perfection, with everything thread coming together as it should and when it should.

As a bonus, it’s a film that’s genuinely enjoyable and identifiable to all ages, no matter how young or old. The younger set will see themselves in Dash of Violet (whose power of invisibility is a perfect metaphor for adolescence), while the older will understand the trials of adulthood that Bob and Helen find themselves in. Don’t let the super-heroics and fisticuffs fool more, there’s more going on beneath the surface than one may think. The Incredibles embraces all the trappings we find in action flicks and comic books, but it never forgets the ground it all with developed, three-dimensional characters that you grow to care about. Whether it’s in their successes (one of the best moments is Dash discovering he can actually run on water), or failures (Bob’s realization that he’s in way overhead and has been duped), this film makes you care about every character, heightening the action sequences and peril. There’s a great action sequence toward the end of the film, set on an island, that I believe works so well not just because the danger feels actually threatening, but because we also care for these character. It adds that extra layer to the danger that plenty of other films just can’t grasp.

Just note that I’ve barely scratched the surface here. There’s so much going on here that words can’t do justice. I haven’t even mentioned the deconstruction of super-hero mythos, the great extended cameo by Samuel L. Jackson, the excellent film prologue, the deco-esque design work, the breakdown of super-hero costumes, and, lord, so much more. Three’s rarely a film that can honestly boast it has something for everyone. Well…The Incredibles, I believe, can boast that with pride.

The Incredibles is just…incredibly infectious. It’s intelligent, funny, breath-taking and jaw-droppingly entertaining from start to finish. It’s brilliantly put together, not a wasted scene or composition during its entire running time, and its execution flawless. In fact, The Incredibles can even stand up to the most recent CGI animated movies without losing ground. It’s still a visual masterpiece with animation that, while looking perhaps a shade out-dated as compared to other Pixar films, stands heads and shoulder above countless others. This is a film I can easily prattle on about – I love this movie from top to bottom. It may not be the best movie from Pixar (though I suppose that is debatable), but it’s easily my favorite (and the favorite of many others, too). The Incredibles is a stunning all-ages adventures that doesn’t exclude any demographic. There’s definitely something for everybody in there, regardless of your age and interests. If you’re trying to get someone into the super-hero genre, give them a copy of The Incredibles and I guarantee you’ll have them hooked for life. Must Own.

The Blu-ray:

One thing I love about Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) is how they have just thrown themselves into the Blu-ray format. In fact, they remain one of the more generous studios when it comes to home video releases. They provide lots of options for consumers and manage to stack their titles with a great amount of extras. Whether it’s a regular DVD release, a Blu-ray Combo-Pack of the 3D Blu-rays, they know how to stack them, and this release is no exception.

The high definition release of The Incredibles is stunning to behold. Comparing it to the included Blu-ray, the difference is stunningly apparent. While the DVD standard edition is no slouch in itself, the Blu-ray release is an entirely different beast. Everything seems more vibrant and clear. The 1080p resolution is pretty stunning, without question, and I’m sure you’ll have a hard time prying your eyes away from it. To me, the film has never looked better, and I’m sure fans of this excellent movie will agree. The sound is also top-notch, thanks to the new DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. That island battle scene I mentioned earlier? If you think it sounded good on DVD, well, you haven’t heard anything yet. It’s crystal clear in ever respect, with every channel getting an active and thorough workout from start to finish. Turn the volume up loud. I promise you will not regret it.

Moving on to the extras,a plethora of content has been provided and spread out over four discs. The first disc includes two feature-length commentaries, one featuring director Brad Bird and producer John Walker, the other a group of animators who worked on The Incredibles. The commentaries go back and forth between technical aspects and the themes of the movie, both of which fans of the film will find really interesting and well worth your time. Afterwards we get the two shorts, “Boundin'” and “Jack-Jack Attack,” both in high-definition and looking quite swell. “Jack-Jack Attack” also features an optional commentary that quicks a quick look as this short feature, created specifically for the original DVD home video release of The Incredibles. The first disc wraps up with “The Incredibles Revisited,” a new retrospective on this beloved Pixar pic. Bird and a good chunk of the film’s production enjoy a roundtable discussion on how this film came together, some of the problems along the way and a few interesting anecdotes. I find this retrospective to be a great compliment to the already thorough commentaries. Running at roughly twenty-two minutes, there’s plenty of interesting discussion that, as you can guess, viewers will greatly enjoy.

Moving on to the second disc, the wealth of the set’s bonus content can be found right here. Featuring a mix of new and old bonus content, everything from the original The Incredibles DVD release is ported over to this new Blu-ray title. Everything from the original release is in the “Classic Content” section, which features a roughly 30-minute “making of” feature, over an hour of featurettes, an art gallery, and all the Easter Eggs from the original. An excellent move on WDSHE’s part to put everything in an easy to find and navigate section. Deleted scenes, the alternate opening, and the theatrical teaser, videos, and trailers are also included, all now upgraded to High definition.

The new material on the second disc is brief but still worth a spin. New content, all in high definition, includes a “Paths to Pixar: Story Artists” six-minute featurette on how animators for The Incredibles broke into the business, the roughly 90-second “Studio Stories: Gary’s Birthday” featurette on an interesting morale-boosting method used during the film’s production, the self-explanatory “Ending with a Bang: Making the End Credits” 95-second featurette, and the 3 1/2-minute gag featurette “The New Nomanisan: A Top Secret Redevelopment Plan” revealing the fate of Syndrome’s Island. All in all, a nice addition to the original content.

The third disc features The Incredibles, and the two accompanied shorts, in standard definition and the fourth a digital copy of the film.

Overall, this is another great Pixar flick that should be part of anyone’s Blu-ray collection. While it may not be the best Pixar film ever made, it remains a favorite of myself (and many others) for doing the superhero genre justice. Heck, it’s one of the best superhero movies ever made – period! Laced with great action, great characters, excellent animation, and a superb story, The Incredibles hits all the right notes from beginning to end. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, and shame on you if you haven’t, there’s no better time than now to snatch up this Blu-ray release. The film has honestly never looked or sounded better, and it’s vibrant visuals still hold up to this day thanks to a gorgeous high definition presentation. Plus, look at all that additional bonus content! Seriously, there’s no reason whatsoever to skip out on this incredible release from WDSHE! The new The Incredibles Blu-ray title is one of my favorite home video releases to date from the Mouse House and is a definite Must Own!

The Incredibles is now available to own on Blu-ray Combo Pack.

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“Hulk Versus Thor” DVD Review

Two heroes duking it out with one another, usually over a misunderstanding of some type, is pretty standard comic fare. Fans have long since wished to see some of the most heroic clashes brought to life and, in 2009, Marvel Animation did just that with Hulk Versus, pitting the Jade Giant against two of Marvel’s biggest characters, Wolverine and Thor. These two short movies, which together compromised Hulk Versus, were well-received across the board. Each were their own beast, both presenting standalone stories of the Hulk tackling renowned Marvel characters. Now, with the live-action Thor around the corner, Lionsgate Home Entertainment is releasing one of them, Hulk Versus Thor, as its own single-disc DVD release.

Synopsis:
With the forces protecting Asgard at their weakest, Loki the trickster seizes the opportunity to destroy his cursed stepbrother, Thor, once and for all. In an epic battle that pits god against monster, the Mighty Thor is forced to clash with the only creature that has ever been able to match his strength – the Incredible Hulk! Prepare for a battle of epic proportions with Hulk Versus Thor!

Fans of Thor may find themselves torn by this 45 minute movie. Thor takes an enormous amount of punishment in this movie, but he does it for a reason. A reason that some viewers may not realize right away, which I won’t spoil here. The plot is pretty basic, though surprisingly steeped in Thor’s mythology (considering Hulk is the headliner in the title, he’s more like a guest-star in the actual feature). Loki has brought the Hulk to Asgard in order to take over the kingdom. After separating Banner from the Hulk, Loki soon finds himself unable to control the beast, resulting in Thor and Loki teaming up to save Asgard from total destruction at the hands of that green beast. While the plot may be simple, the movie brings a majestic feel to the story, helping elevate it above such simple trappings.

Additionally, we get to see a great amount of Thor’s supporting characters, some who are given smaller roles than others, of course, but still, each one gets a moment or two to shine. Thor himself is given the largest role in the movie, more so than even the top-billed Hulk, and he’s handled quite well for the character. Again, others may find fault with how the Hulk really does take Thor to the cleaners, but I thought it worked in building the suspense in the story. And given the surroundings, it’s a story that’s really easy to get totally engaged in. Maybe it was the fantastical nature of the setting, but Hulk Versus Thor will really suck the viewer right in. We have this great new world that I find is utilized quite nicely.he designs are stylized, but they also carry a sense of the fantastic to them. The movie definitely keeps the designs true to their comic roots, giving us classic versions of some of the most beloved costumes in the Marvel Universe.

Before I go any further, I just want to make specific note of a few things. In terms of the cast, Fred Tatasciore is great as the Hulk, providing just the right amount of ferocity to the role, one he’s reprising from previous Marvel Animated Features. Matthew Wolf as Thor, brings noticeable weight and gravitas to the respective roles, making it all the more easier to believe this fantastical world he inhabits. The score by Guy Michelmore also deserves a special mention. Michelmore manages to ups his game considerably with each movie he composes, and his excellent work here is no exception.

If I have any major criticism, it seems that Hulk acts mostly as a plot point for the movie. It’s because of Hulk that Thor has to go to Hell itself to try and save Asgard. Hulk is simply a pawn here, but I suppose that is one of the most logical way to throw the Hulk into a world where we wouldn’t usually see him. On the other hand, I like that this movie actually had the nerve to toss the viewer into the middle of a story. When we first see Bruce Banner in Hulk Versus Thor, he’s already been captured by Loki. Sure, the movie gives enough exposition to keep the viewers up to speed, especially those who may be new to the Marvel Universe, but it’s a nice trick to throw us into the thick of things.

While Hulk Versus Thor may not be perfect, it will definitely please fans and newcomers, plus it still holds up as its own adventure. Those coming off the live-action Thor movie will likely get a rise out of this animated brawl. If you’re looking for a kick-ass comic movie, you got it here! The visuals are eye-popping and exciting, the characters engaging and the story is a genuine “how will they get out of this?” kinda ride. It’s a no-brainer to check off Hulk Versus Thor as Recommended.

The DVD:
Lionsgate Home Entertainment, and Maple Pictures in Canada, has released this Hulk Versus Thor DVD as a very obvious and very deliberate cash-in for the upcoming live-action Thor movie, an easy impulse buy at a very affordable price. It’s a no-frills package. No fancy packaging or inserts of any kind. Just the disc. Click here to view media from this release.

The bonus content for this disc is identical to what was released on the original Hulk Versus: Two-Disc Special Edition DVD release from 2009. We get an audio commentary with Craig Kyle and Chris Yost, an audio commentary with Frank Paur, Sam Liu and James Peters, a “Of Gods and Monsters: The Making of Hulk Versus Thor featurette, a “Jack Kirby + Thor” featurette, a First Look – Thor: Tales of Asgard featurette, and a collection of trailers. The only real new content are a few new trailers for recent and upcoming Lionsgate releases.

The commentary by Kyle and Yost is enthusiastic and informative, basically covering the same ground as the other commentary. However, they reveal an interest fact about the opening credits for Hulk Versus Thor that really adds to the movie and talk about some neat deleted concepts. The second audio commentary with Paur, Sam Liu and James Peters basically covers how they approached this story and what they wanted to convey in their style to make the movie feel as epic as the characters themselves. The “Of Gods and Monsters: The Making of Hulk Versus Thor featurette is your standard EPK featurette, covering the basics on the creation of Hulk Versus Thor. The “Jack Kirby + Thor” featurette pays tribute to Kirby and covers the influence of the famed artist on the project and how they tried to stay true to what Kirby created. After that the “First Look – Thor: Tales of Asgard” featurette gives us our first look at the next (and last) Marvel Animated Feature, hitting shelves next month, starring a young Thor exploring the world of Asgard and covering the character’s origin.

All in all, a great selection of bonus materials, but nothing we haven’t seen before. And, much like the original Hulk Versus DVD release, the animation quality is very high and it looks really nice on a standard-definition transfer. The colors look solid and everything looks smashing. The audio track, as you can expect, sounds excellent in 5.1 Dolby Digital, with everything coming out crisp and clear. A really solid audio and video transfer.

So, can I recommend this release? Well, it’s kind-of hard to. While Hulk Versus Thor can be picked up for as little as $6, the original Hulk Versus DVD release, with both Hulk Versus Thor and Hulk Versus Wolverine, can be swooped up for between $5 – 10 dollars. The only way I could recommend this release is if you really, really can’t stand or care for Wolverine, or are coming out of Thor and just want to see more of the Norse God in action. That’s it, really. To everyone else, you can easily Skip It. Besides, for a few dollars more, the original Hulk Versus Blu-ray release is still readily available for around $10.

Hulk Versus Thor is now available on DVD home video.

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“Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker” Blu-ray Review

When people think of Batman, thoughts of the Joker are close behind. This evil clown has been tormenting the Dark Knight since the beginning, and remains the most fascinating member of Batman’s rogues gallery. However, his presence has been completely absent from the tales of the future Batman. News of the Joker’s animated return has intrigued and concerned fans of the mythos for months. Would the confrontation between the Future Knight and the Harlequin of Hate live up to the past struggles with Batman’s greatest nemesis? The answer is a resounding yes.

Synopsis:
The greatest villain of all comes out of the past to threaten Batman, Bruce Wayne and all of Gotham City in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the first feature-length Batman Beyond movie. The sleeker, deadlier and seemingly immortal Clown Prince of Crime is back with his own unique brand of havoc and mayhem. While trying to uncover the Joker’s secrets, the new Batman, Terry McGinnis, discovers the greatest mystery in the life of the original Caped Crusader: What happened the night he fought the Joker for the last time. When Bruce Wayne is almost killed in one of the Joker’s latest attacks, Batman vows to avenge his mentor and put the Joker to rest forever. Get ready for heart-stomping action, awesome adventure and amazing revelations in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker begins when one of the many street gangs who pattern themselves after the legendary madman switch from petty theft to grand larceny of scientific equipment. Terry McGinnis, the Batman of future Gotham City, is able to fight them off, which does not please the new boss of these Jokerz. After all, his minions are using his name! The Joker, apparently as spry as ever, decides to make his grand comeback during the ceremonies that hand control of Wayne Enterprises back to its founder, former Batman Bruce Wayne.

Though the Joker disappears without harming his old enemy, Bruce is so shaken by the Joker’s re-emergence that he forbids Terry to take on the madman. But the Joker is far from finished. Terry’s girlfriend Dana becomes injured when the Jokerz attack Terry in his civilian identity, while Joker himself gives Bruce a near-lethal dose of his trademark laughing gas.

Terry must now learn the secret behind the Joker’s return before the clown can leave his deadly mark upon Gotham with his purloined technology. Along the way, he’ll learn what happened during the final battle between the Joker and the original Batman, Robin and Batgirl–a dark confrontation that forever tainted its participants.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker never fails to please, partially because the Joker truly shines. Mark Hamill turns in the performance of his animated career. The Joker shows his wacky side a time or two, but for the most part, the character has never been as disturbing on film. He’s a sick, demented monster, and it shows in spades. The question behind the Joker’s return drives most of the movie, and the revelation is disturbing, logical and satisfying.

Despite Joker’s larger-than-life presence, the rest of the cast shines as well. Kevin Conroy’s Bruce Wayne is bitter but not broken, and he puts forth just the right amount of dark emotion to convey exactly how dark his encounters with the Joker were. Will Friedle makes a fine future Batman, especially with his voice work during the final battle. His character also gets a chance to really prove himself, both in battle and in spirit. Make no mistake, in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker he shows that he’s not just some punk in a costume–he’s Batman.

It should also be noted that Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker contains a ten-minute flashback sequence detailing the original Batman’s final encounter with the laughing one. While it’s great to see Bruce, Robin and Batgirl in action again one last time, this sequence contains some of the film’s most disturbing elements. Writer and Batman Beyond co-creator Paul Dini mentioned in an interview one time that what happens to Robin “wasn’t good.” Certainly, that’s an understatement.

The animation looks good, not Disney quality by any means but much better than the TV series, especially during Batman’s aerial battle with the Jokerz (and on the Joker’s facial expressions, as well). The music is a mix of orchestration and the techno-metal that’s become the signature of the Batman Beyond series, and it works amazingly well.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is the best depiction of the future Batman, equals the shamelessly underrated animated Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and even trumps all the live-action Batman movies. Anyone with even an iota of interest in the Dark Knight will not be disappointed. Must Own.

The Blu-ray:

Warner Home Video has finally brought the original uncut Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker into the high-definiton fold and, thankfully, it does not dissapoint. While the package may not be overflowing with goodies, those who have picked up the previous releases of this excellent movie will have plenty of reasons to upgrade. Infact, the extras are the last reason for most, I would assume. Let’s dive in, shall we?

To get it out of the way, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is packaged in the standard eco-Blu-ray case, and contains both the Blu-ray and The Original, Uncut Version DVD. The DVD is the exact same disc as was released all those years ago. The Blu-ray is newly-pressed, not a simple port. The Blu-ray disc art even features Warner Home Video’s current black-and-white Lightscribe-ish scheme. Still, no complaints.

Once the disc starts up, viewers will be treated to trailers for the recent All-Star Superman, the upcoming Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, and DC Comics Digital Comics. It’s about time DC Comics has started plugging their comic titles on other media, and this is a solid start.

The main menu is standard for a Warner Home Video release. The extras brought over from the previous DVD release include the excellent audio commentary, deleted scenes, animatics, character bios, a music video, and a featurette on the film. The trailers from the previous DVD releases are, naturally, gone. New bonus content includes a trailer for the current (and very, very excellent) Young Justice animated series. Since the included content is exactly the same from the previous DVD releases, save for the snazzy Young Justice trailer, you can check out the other Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker DVD reviews at The World’s Finest for more detailed thoughts.

Before I continue with the audio and video portion of this review, I just want to say that I’m really surprised and glad that Warner Home Video has obviously put effort into this new release. It’s not a quickie port or upscale, but a well put-together Blu-ray for one of the most acclaimed animated Batman movies to date. It’s not a rush job, but an excellent one, and I commend Warner Home Video on it.

Now, I say this also becuase the audio and video have definitely been upgraded from the previous DVD releases. The audio is an excellent DTS-HD Audio 5.1 mix that is good, not great. While I feel it doesn’t deliver a home run experience, it does at least garner a three-base hit. Sound could be a bit more boisterous at times, but overall I’m very happy with the audio for the final product.

The video on the otherhand…beautiful. Save for some standard color banding, which seems to pop-up on all of Warner Home Video’s animated home video releases, and some odd macroblocking, the video is stunning. The details on the backgrounds are just gorgeous and the animation is absolutely stunning. This film just hasn’t looked better. Ever. I don’t think I can go back to watching the DVD version after seeing this. I am pretty sure that majority of viewers will notice how clear the background looks here, how new details simply jump out. It’s like Warner Home Video wiped off a layer of dust from the film and…here we are. The movie looks excellent, plain and simple.

As for the image itself, it is 4:3 widescreen, 1080p open matte, just like the 2008 Justice League: Season One Blu-ray release. It’s full-screen, basically. There was some confusion when Warner Home Video originally announced this release, due to inconsistencies over the release’s reported aspect ratio, with many worried it would be a windowboxed (i.e., black spaces on all four sides of the image). Thankfully, that is not so.

Now, since the film was animated in full screen, though intended as a widescreen release as stated by the creators of the film, viewers will notice a fair amount of dead space at the top and bottom of the screens. Admittedly, it did get a bit distracting at times since the widescreen transfer on the The Original, Uncut Version DVD is framed perfectly (sure, it was also non-anamorphic, but the frame composition was dead-on). You’ll even notice the odd time when the animation doesn’t even meet the top or bottom of the screen. Personally, I don’t mind the open matte transfer here at all. It looks great. Yes, the image isn’t as well framed as it would be in widescreen, and the dead space can get noticeable (there are times when there is a very noticeable amount of empty space between the tip of Batman’s ears and the top of the screen, for example), but the video quality itself more than makes up for it. I would have personally preferred if we got the widescreen transfer as the creators intended, but this open matte transfer is the next best thing.

Overall, I sincerely believe that all Batman Beyond fans need to rush out and pick up this release. This is a definite Must Own! Even if you haven’t upgraded to Blu-ray yet, don’t worry – it comes with an additional DVD copy of The Original, Uncut Version for free. The main feature alone is worth the price of admission, to be honest, but having it in high definition gives the film a new, fresh look. It’s never looked or sounded this good, and fans will definitely notice the difference. Don’t hesitate with this release. Go out and pick up Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and I gaurantee you won’t regret it.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker arrives on Blu-ray Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 from Warner Home Video.

Feature review originally published at The World’s Finest “Batman Beyond” subsite. More coverage on this release can be found here.

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“Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two” DVD Review

If you didn’t enjoy the previous thirteen episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold, then I doubt this latest collection will change any minds. However, there’s just so much here to love that it’s impossible for me not to implore readers, even those who have never given this show a chance, to give it a spin. Yes, it’s different than any Batman cartoon that has come along in recent times, but there’s just so much going for it – it’s so fun, so inventive and completely unique – that it’s hard not to be won over by the charm it exudes in droves. And thankfully, Warner Home Video has given us thirteen more episodes to chew on in this new home video DVD release.

Synopsis:
Batman wings into an exciting new era, teaming with a mighty honor roll of DC Comics Super Heroes in the action-packed Batman: The Brave and The Bold: Season One, Part Two. Through the show’s final 13 animated adventures in this 2-disc collection, the Dark Knight allies with Aquaman, Plastic Man, Blue Beetle, Red Tornado, Green Arrow, Wildcat, Deadman, Bronze Tiger and Atom to take on an array of evildoers ranging from mad scientists to intergalactic crooks, from power-mad dictators to out-of-control teenagers. He even travels to a parallel world, becoming the villainous Owlman! In this cool, cutting-edge and often funny series bringing back old-school comic-book styling and dry wit to crimefighting, Batman faces any peril – including other heroes stealing the show – in his relentless pursuit of justice.

It’s more of the same with Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two, and I couldn’t be happier. Like I said, you either like this show or don’t at this point of the game, and whatever is included here may not change any minds. However, I still think fans (casual or die-hard) should give this show a chance, and there’s some real gems on this latest release that any Bat-fan would love, I believe. In fact, there’s plenty in this latest episode collection that just dwarfs what came in the first half of the season. We get Robin, The Music Meister, Huntress, Sherlock Holmes, and that’s just to name a few. Aquaman’s back for more, we see Jonah Hex stranded in the future, a great nod (via costume) to Batman: Gotham By Gaslight, and piles upon piles of references to classic DC Comics lore. Basically, if you liked the first thirteen episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold, well, you’re going to love these!

Batman: The Brave and The Bold is a show that just continues to surprise. It does its own thing, and almost always zips when it should zag. It’s rarely boring, always engaging, and pretty much always enjoyable. Even the weaker episodes end up being something a little special. Here we get Batman at his most heroic. He’s a crime-fighter and hero first, putting himself out there with the best (or most obscure) of DC Comics. Heck, I’d even call this version of Batman the most “innocent,” for lack of a better term, we’ve ever seen. While the show doesn’t focus on the character’s dark, brooding nature, that doesn’t mean we’re denied it. It’s a part of him, but all of that is pushed to the back and, instead, we get Batman at his most…ideally heroic. There’s more to it than that, yes, but here he’s a super-hero through and through.

This collection includes what I believe to be some major key episodes for this series, specifically “The Color of Revenge,” “Legends of the Dark Mite,” and “Mayhem of the Music Meister.” “Color…” for the fact that it introduces Robin into the series and “Legends…” because of Bat-Mite and, well, there’s that great speech about how versatile the character of Batman is. And “Music Meister” because it’s such a perfectly crafted episode in nearly every regard. Who would have thought we’d ever see a Batman musical that works as well as this one does? I promise you’ll be humming songs from that episode for days after giving it a spin. Pretty much every episode in this collection is top-notch, some more than others, but these three are definitely fan-favorites among what’s counted here.

Episodes featured in this collection include “Mystery in Space!,” “Trials of the Demons!,” “Night of the Huntress!,” “Menace of the Conqueror Caveman!,” “The Color of Revenge!,” “Legends of the Dark Mite!,” “Hail the Tornado Tyrant!,” “Duel of the Double Crossers!,” “The Last Bat on Earth!,” “When Omac Attacks!,” “The Fate of Equinox!,” “Mayhem of the Music Meister!,” and “Inside the Outsiders!”

With this release, the first 26 episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold are now collected in two very affordable DVD titles. It would be a crime if Warner Home Video doesn’t release the remaining 39 episodes to this series, and I can only assume they will (likely on three more thirteen-episode, 2-disc collections) since Batman remains a heavy cash-cow for the Time Warner family. That’s besides the fact, however. This entire deserves to be released because, when you get down to the bottom of it, it’s just a fantastic cartoon from start to finish that all Bat-fans, young and old, should be able to get into. Not only is it a good Batman cartoon, it’s just a good show – period. It’s just impossible not to enjoy.

Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two collects thirteen more stellar episodes from this flat-out excellent animated series, wrapping up the first season on DVD. Lots of folks out there may think this isn’t “their” Batman, but that honestly shouldn’t stop anyone from giving this ‘toon a whirl. There’s plenty of action, some flat-out hilarious moments, solid dialogue, and plenty of in-jokes and nods for even the most die-hard Bat-fan to enjoy. Batman: The Brave and The Bold harkens back to a pre-“grim and gritty” Batman and it’s actually a bit refreshing to see, in light of recent portrayals both on the big screen and the comics (both of which are still excellent in their own way, I should add). This version of Batman isn’t better or worse than what came before, just a different take on a great character, and this cartoon is easily becoming one of the best animated incarnations of our beloved Caped Crusader. Find out why this cartoon is always showered with accolades by checking out the thirteen episodes featured in this collection, all new to DVD. Without a doubt, Batman: The Brave and The Bold is Highly Recommended.

The DVD:

Another sparse release, Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two arrives in the standard two-disc Eco Amaray case. As to what should be no surprise, there are no inserts or anything to be found, though the Amaray case is nicely snuggled in a snazzy cardboard slipcase. Disc art is as basic as can be, and now bafflingly black-and white, and menus are simple and easy to navigate. Outside of a single trailer for a CGI Hot Wheels cartoon, there are zero extras on this set. Basically, this release is a carbon copy of the previous release. Just the episodes and nothing more, really.

While the disc may lack bonus features, the A/V quality here is actually pretty solid. Audio is a standard English Stereo mix and the video presentation is an anamorphic widescreen encode, resulting in a surprisingly stunning image. If you’ve been watching this on Teletoon or Cartoon Network, you should notice an immediate step up in the visual clarity.

Overall, it’s a sparse release in terms of bonus content but worth picking up for the 13 collected episodes, all of which are new to DVD. Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two finishes off the first season of this great series on DVD, and actually bodes well for the next two seasons to see subsequent collections down the line. That being said, this show really deserves a more in-depth and expansive release, and I’m hoping Warner Home Video will provide actual extras in future releases of Batman: The Brave and The Bold. Even though the first season is collected, it’s not too late. This series has so much going on for it, and so many great nods for comic fans and Bat-fans alike, and I have no doubt there’s a wealth of material just waiting to be set free. However, for this release, despite being significantly bare bones, Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two is very easy to Recommend and should definitely be sought out by fans. The strength of the main feature here, thirteen great episodes of this excellent Bat-toon, is strong enough to overcome any deficit caused by the lack of extras. Pick up this release!

Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two is now available to own on DVD from Warner Home Video! Please click here for more details!

Discussion Thread:
–Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two DVD Talkback (Spoilers)

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“Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Volume One” DVD Review

It’s impossible to keep a good franchise down, and the Scooby-Doo franchise is a pretty solid example of that. Countless television shows, a couple live-action movies, piles of animated movies, and countless piles of merchandise. Earlier this year, Cartoon Network introduced the latest installment of the Scooby-Doo franchise, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, a series that pays heavy homage to the original cartoon while giving a bit of a modern twist to it all. As to what should be no surprise, what we end up with here is a pretty fun romp that Scooby-Doo fans should find pretty impossible to pass up.

Synopsis:
Hop in the van for Mystery Inc.’s new, cool series of spooky capers. Like, it’s an all-new Scooby-Doo TV series for families who want their mysteries like Scooby-Doo and Shaggy want their pizza … spicy with extra sauce! Join the gang in Crystal Cove – the most haunted place on Earth – to solve creepy cases packed with fearsome spooks and frights, exciting chases, terrifying surprises and of course, Freddy’s ingenious traps. But the gang doesn’t fall for that ghost stuff anymore. They know there’s always a bad guy behind the monster suit, until they receive a cryptic clue from the mysterious Mr. E, who challenges them with their greatest mystery yet – to uncover the secret behind the curse of Crystal Cove! Get trapped with Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Freddy, Daphne and Velma in four action-packed adventures from the cool, new show that’s a lot of doggone fun!

Somewhat of a reboot, I suppose, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated keeps the essence of what made the franchise so huge in the first place and infuses it with modern sensibilities. Every character is back to their classic roles, though with little twists to keep things from getting stale. Our characters, presented here in their late teens, sleuth their way through the usual standard mysteries, the mysteries themselves usually engaging enough to keep ones attention and provide a good laugh. The dynamic is classic, for sure, though there are some slight twists made to the form, thanks to some real nifty writing. Most notably, Fred and Daphne continue to wrestle with their feelings for each other, not outright but it’s there, but now Velma and Shaggy are getting in on the budding romance department. Sure, both Fred and Shaggy seem a bit clueless when it comes to this, but it’s a nice development for the cast of characters. The Fred and Daphne relationship is pretty much a given in any Scooby-Doo cartoon, but I like the addition of something brewing between Velma and Shaggy, especially the complications it brings for Scooby. In the first episode, Shaggy is actually afraid to tell Scooby because it could hurt his feelings…neat touch.

As I said above, this series continues with the standard episode formula for your standard Scooby-Doo cartoon, but they added a little something extra this time around. In addition to the “done in one” mystery, we also get a neat interconnected story-line that lightly connects the four episodes included here on this release. Personally, I find it adds to the show and raises it up a level or two as compared to the previous recent Scooby-Doo cartoons. It also gives the main cast a chance to deftly interact, resulting in some great one-liners and comedic exchanges. The writing is really excellent, bordering on subversive and sometimes deliciously absurd from time to time. Sure, these cartoons aren’t meant to be deep or thought-provoking studies by any means, but this recent adaptation of the Scooby-Doo franchise is probably the most fun its been since the original series kicked off nearly 50 years ago.

The animation style of the series deserves a nod, too. What we get here in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is this neat, sleek take on the original 1960s designs. The designs are classic, but tweaked just enough to look modern, and nicely stylized. The series tends to shift between these great brilliant colors, usually blue ad green (those two in particular seem to dominate the color scheme), and some moody, darker tones. It never gets too dark or scary for the kids, nor obnoxiously over-the-top for the adults, but the show tends to straddle the line quite nicely. If you find yourself bored by what’s happening on screen, at least you have a great looking series to please the eye. Sure, the animation itself can be a bit stiff from time to time, but the show tends to look sharp every second.

The four episodes featured on this release include “Beware the Beast from Below,” “The Creeping Creatures,” “Secret of the Ghost Rig,” and “Revenge of the Main Crab.” I find “Beware the Beast from Below” to be the sharpest episode on the disc, but all four are worth a spin.

I find Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated to easily be on par with the best of the Scooby-Doo direct-to-video animated features, definitely in terms of writing? Animation…well, not so much, but definitely writing. It just has a great edge that elevated what could of been a stale, one-note series into something little extra.

In the end, the most surprising thing is how many levels this show manages to play on. Yes, it has the usual Scooby-Doo mysteries to keep the kids entertained, but it also has a great subversive, slightly edgy tone to it that grown-ups can easily get into as well. There’s some real biting humor that will definitely surprise the audience, but also won’t alienate anyone or feel inappropriate to the younger set. It winks at the audience without making fun of what makes a show like Scooby-Doo work. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is easily one of the best animation revivals to come out of Warner Home Video in recent years. It’s a great spin on an old classic that could easily put some of the other recent revivals (like Transformers, to name one) to shame. Without hesitation, I find Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated comes definitely Highly Recommended.

The DVD:

As much as I enjoyed the main presentation, I do have some reservations about the DVD itself. It’s not the lack of extras, all we get here are some trailers, or anything to do with the audio/video quality. In fact, save for some macro-blocking on occasion and some noticeable compression, it’s a pretty standard across the board.

What has me at a it of a loss is the fact that Warner Home Video seems to be going back to the old way of releasing animated shows on DVD – three or four episodes at a time. This release is billed as Season One, Volume One, giving me the impression that there’s at least two more releases to go to collect the first thirteen episodes. Why doesn’t Warner just release this series in a nice two-disc set instead of stretching it out. Sure, the four episode volume pack makes for a good impulse purchase, especially when it’s prices for around $10, but it is disappointing for fans (and even parents) wanting to get the most bang for their buck.

I can easily recommend Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Volume One on the merits of the actual program itself. It’s a great show that definitely surpassed my expectations and ended up surprising me. However, I do have some reservations on the format Warner Home Video is using to release the show on DVD. I am hoping that subsequent volumes will either up the episode count or make sure the suggested retail price is appropriate for what’s included on the release. That being said, I will stamp Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Volume One as Recommended based on the main feature, and encourage Scooby-Doo fans new and old – or perhaps those even looking for something a little different – to pick this up. It’s better than it has every right to be, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Volume One is now available to own on DVD.

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“All-Star Superman” Blu-ray Review

Breathe a sigh of relief, fans of writer Grant Morrison’s epic All-Star Superman graphic novel. They’ve done it justice with this new animated adaptation. Managing to shorten a 12-issue series into a 75-minute movie is by no means an easy task, but the creative team behind this film has managed to pull it off here. By no means does it recreate the original story beat for beat, but instead kind-of pays homage to it by focusing on only specific aspects of the original and framing a surprisingly cohesive (albeit jumpy) little jaunt. While the never-ending battle between Superman and Lex Luthor is undeniably front and center, serving as the film’s main story, we do get touches on why the source material is so beloved. So, after getting beyond that pesky synopsis, let’s see what the animated All-Star Superman feature has in store…

Synopsis:
Fueled by hatred and jealousy, Lex Luthor masterminds an elaborate plot to kill the Man of Steel – and it works. Poisoned by solar radiation, Superman is dying. With weeks to live, he fulfills his life’s dreams – especially revealing his true identity to Lois Lane – until Luthor proclaims his ultimate plan to control the world with no alien hero to stop him. Powers fading, Superman engages in a spectacular deadly battle with Luthor that could truly trigger the end of Earth’s Greatest Protector. This startling and gripping DC Universe Animated Original Movie stars the voice talents of James Denton, Anthony LaPaglia, Christina Hendricks and Ed Asner.

I enjoyed All-Star Superman. Let me say that now. By no means was I underwhelmed by it, but I also wasn’t overwhelmed by it either. I guess, to take a cue from Robin as featured in Young Justice, I guess I was just…whelmed by it. I liked it, despite some issues I had with it. Those expecting a full-blown action-fest should turn away now. While there is action, including an impressively handled climactic battle, by now means does it drive the show. Instead, what drives this show are the simple emotions that come with dealing with death and how one tries to handle their final days. It’s pretty powerful stuff, and it does lead to quite a few very moving moments littered throughout the movie. It’s a very different kind of Superman movie, but fans of the Man of Steel should find it no less engaging.

However, fans of the source material will be understandably torn. Some will agree that writer Dwayne McDuffie was able to successfully streamline a complex 12-issue series into a mere 75 minutes. Others, however, will disagree and find the movie a jumpy, somewhat colder take on the source material. The film’s jumpy narrative does cause a couple problems along the way, but it does seem to somewhat portray how chaotic things can get as one tries to settle final affairs.

To judge the film on its own merits, as it should, it’s definitely an oddly paced movie as compared to the previous DC Universe Animated Original Movie titles. All-Star Superman attempts to pack so much into its running time that, yes, it can feel like it’s just speeding through things, zooming to get from one scene to the next. The episodic nature of the film makes it easier to forget what came before, allowing characters to pop in and out of the blue and be forgotten just as quickly. It can get a bit distracting, honestly, but as I said earlier, the jumpy narrative can somewhat help what this movie is trying to set out and do. Superman is trying to accomplish so much before his end, and it shows. No matter how jumpy the movie can feel at times, the underlying theme of Superman’s inevitable demise, among others, is what ties all these little stories together, making it feel pretty coherent…though occasionally disorienting.

Some moments, disappointingly, don’t feel as important or as powerful as they should. Superman’s visit to the grave of his father is powerful stuff and leaves a resounding impact on the film, but Superman coming across two other Kryptonians feels more like a distraction in the film. I understand the intent behind the scene, how these two Kryptonians deal with power as opposed to Superman, but it zips by too fast to leave any real impact. And while Superman dealing with two kooky time-travelers also provides for a couple great moments (including a hilarious arm-wrestling match that too feels somewhat out of place), and while I understand why McDuffie chose these moments, as they all tend to share similar themes, sometimes the execution just doesn’t come off as strong as it should. Still, what he chose to put in the movie does work in its own way and certainly highlights important moments in Superman’s final days, emphasizing specific aspects of his character as well as dealing with some pretty heavy themes. And while the film does pack an emotional punch here and there, it doesn’t quite hit the high notes it should from time to time.

Still, McDuffie leaves in some of my personal favorite ideas from the source material, too. The idea that even as Clark Kent, Superman is still working to save people is just brilliant and the execution perfect. Whether through his act as a bumbling oaf or disguising his actions, he is still using his abilities to help people, it’s such a smart idea that I’m glad to see used here. So many of Morrison’s more off-kilter ideas remain in here, as well, like Superman’s pet Sun-Eater, or the great bit with his special key to unlock his Fortress of Solitude. So many small touches here and there that are unmistakably Morrison which give the film a little extra bit of (for lack of a better term) kookiness, definitely painting this film (and its source material) as something special.

What I love is how All-Star Superman nails the iconic status of the hero. He shows nobility, selflessness, and courage, even in the face of his impending death. He puts all others before himself, and this movie shows that perfectly. His gift to Lois, to be “Superwoman” for a day, is a perfect example of these qualities.

McDuffie does an admirable job bringing this story to life, as do the other members of the film’s cast and crew. Director Sam Liu follows the book almost to a ‘T,’ recreating some of the film’s iconic images. That shot of Lois and Superman kissing on the moon? Absolutely stunning. The recreation of the Parasite’s prison breakout? Simply harrowing. That classic final shot from the book (which I won’t spoil)? Absolutely gorgeous in every possible way. Liu nails everything McDuffie gives him here, effortlessly bringing to life this epic, epic tale.

Thankfully, the cast is able to bring the required magic to this small screen adaptation, for the most part. James Denton is perfectly cast as the noble Superman, every word dripping with the honest integrity the character needs for a story such as this. Anthony LaPaglia gives an absolutely command performance as Lex Luthor, perfectly demonstrating the character’s insane genius. We can almost see his thought process with every word. Christina Hendricks does a fine job as Lois Lane, but I find her performance can be lacking at time. For example, I just don’t think she nails the scene when Lane starts to lose her grip on reality in the Fortress of Solitude. There just seems to be something missing in her performance there. Still, there are plenty of other actors who bring this movie to life, and I can’t think of a real weak link in the chain. It’s just an excellent cast from top to bottom, with Hendricks being the only one who falters, and she only slightly. All-Star Superman Voice Director Andrea Romano continues to show she knows how to cast a movie from top to bottom, time and time again.

I gotta add, it is absolutely criminal that Christopher Drake’s score to All-Star Superman is currently unavailable to own as a soundtrack release. Absolutely criminal. I think he’s really surpassed his work on Wonder Woman to create some of his best work yet. I would love to hear his complete score.

Overall, it can be a difficult movie to get in to, so I’d suggest watching the movie at least twice before making a final judgment call on it. It definitely is a different kind of Superman movie, but it’s a good one nonetheless. The film’s jumpy narrative, reminiscent of the earlier effort Justice League: The New Frontier, can definitely feel like a bit of an issue, but the film’s underlying themes does manage to keep things on the same track. Yes, characters appear and disappear quickly at times, but it makes sense given we’re moving through the final days of Superman, experiencing the highlights of those moments as it builds to Superman’s climactic battle. Plus, like I said, the characters that do appear all share similar traits and their (usually) brief stories that tend to fall in the same general approach or character arc. There are some deep underlying themes littered throughout the movie, and it does work, even if the film does feel a bit jumpy. With that in mind, I’m going to stamp All-Star Superman as Recommended, but it is worth noting that this isn’t your typical Superman flick. It is a different approach to the Man of Steel, one that will definitely have fans talking.

The Blu-ray:

Once you get past the standard embossed cardboard slipcover (very snazzy) and crack open this case, you’ll notice something immediately – there’s no DC Showcase animated short. And as disappointing as that is, Warner Home Video makes up for it with a nice selection of bonus content, most exclusive to the All-Star Superman Blu-ray release.

The first major extra is the audio commentary featuring both Grant Morrison and Bruce Timm. Running for the duration of the feature with nary a wasted moment, Morrison and Timm discuss the intricacies of the source material and just how the DC Universe Animated Original Movie team was able to adapt it into a 75-minute feature. While the majority of the commentary is focused on the original graphic novel, it does reflect heavily on the animated feature. The two also bat around other topics, such as their favorite super-hero films and the art of crafting a Superman tale. Very interesting stuff. Morrison takes the reins for the most part, though Timm does chime in on occasion. Worth listening to.

Following the commentary are two Grant Morrison-centric featurettes, the roughly 34-minute “Superman Now” explore the creation of the All-Star Superman comic. It looks at how abandoned story ideas for a planned 2000 relaunch of the Superman titles eventually led to the utterly fantastic All-Star Superman comic series, and provided essential background details indirectly related to the main feature. Afterward, the 10-minute “The Creative Flow: Incubating the Idea with Grant Morrison” looks at Morrison’s sketches and different design ideas, ideas that would eventually morph into All-Star Superman. Again, good background information. Wrapping up the All-Star Superman-centric bonus content is the All-Star Superman #1 Virtual Comic, a reproduction of the first issue of the series. While the resolution is a tad small, it may spark interest for those who don’t already own this groundbreaking comic to go snatch it up.

Wrapping up the disc are two bonus Superman: The Animated Series episodes, “Blasts from the Past,” and a selection of trailers and “first look.” The disc includes the trailer for the stellar Batman: Under the Red Hood and “first look” featurettes for the 2010 release Superman/Batman: Apocalypse and the forthcoming Green Lantern: Emerald Knights animated feature, set for a June 2011 release.

Additionally, a second disc includes a DVD and Digital Copy of All-Star Superman.

In terms of audio and video presentation, it is a bit of a mixed bag. The video quality is really high, with a nice VC-1 encoded transfer that looks pretty remarkable from time to time. However, as with previous releases, we do see some color banding and pixilation. There’s the odd moments here or there when Superman’s cape or even Lois Lane’s hair will feature some nasty looking blocking and color issues. It’s not overly distracting, but it is noticeable. Moving on to the audio, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix is pretty subdued as compared to previous efforts in the line, though that’s understandable given the context of the film. The sound mix doesn’t push as hard as it should, but it never falls short. It’s good, yes, but not great. I suppose the somewhat subdued audio mix does work, but I feel that it could have been made fuller, more dynamic, and made better use of the speaker channels.

Overall, when considering the entire package, I have to give All-Star Superman the Recommended stamp. The main feature is definitely an interesting take on Superman, one I’m sure will divide fans whether or not they’ve read the source material, and the package itself contains a nice helping of bonus content. Additionally, which I meant to point out earlier, the movie is also a very family-friendly take on the Man of the Steel. It doesn’t speak down to the audience in any regard, even allowing for an intelligent and easy access point for new potential Superman fans to test out. It’s a good ride that is fairly straightforward in its execution, hitting most of the right marks, resulting in a satisfying experience overall. Fans will be split on All-Star Superman, no question, but I urge viewers to give the film at least two spins before passing judgment. All-Star Superman is a unique take on the Man of Steel, and definitely deserves to be given a proper chance.

All-Star Superman is now available on Blu-ray Combo, DVD and OnDemand. Click here for more!

Discussion Threads:
–All-Star Superman Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
–All-Star Superman DVD/Blu-ray Talkback (Spoilers)

Thank you, Dwayne McDuffie, for everything you given us during your amazing career.

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“Black Panther” DVD Review

Before I get going, I just want to make my stance clear on whether or not Black Panther is an animated series or a motion comic. Personally, I don’t feel right calling this a “motion comic.” It doesn’t feel like it. Sure, some of the limitations of the format are there, but this feels far more “animated” than some cartoons on today. And, well, since it’s from Marvel Animation and originally announced as an animated series when it was set to air on BET (before being annexed due to the network’s demographic target changes), I think I’ll hereto label it a such. There’s just no way it can be flatly called a motion comic. That really does a disservice to Black Panther.

Synopsis:
Deep in the heart of Africa lies Wakanda, an advanced and unconquerable civilization. A family of warrior-kings possessing superior speed, strength and agility has governed this mysterious nation as long as time itself. The latest in this famed line is young King T’Challa, the great hero known worldwide as the Black Panther. Now outsiders once again threaten to invade and plunder Wakanda. Leading this brutal assault is Klaw, a deadly assassin with the blood of T’Challa’s murdered father on his hands, who brings with him an army of superpowered mercenaries. Even with Wakanda’s might and his own superhuman skills, can the Black Panther prevail against this deadly invading force? From respected filmmaker/producer Reginald Hudlin and legendary comic book artist John Romita Jr., comes the epic Black Panther story for which comic fans have waited 25 years. Starring Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou (Gladiator,Blood Diamond and Alfre Woodard (True Blood, Star Trek: First Contact).

Now, don’t get the wrong impression that this animated series is something on par with the likes of Batman: The Animated Series or The Spectacular Spider-Man. It’s not. Far from it, actually. But, regardless of the quality, I find that the treatment bestowed upon Black Panther wasn’t exactly fair. I just wish the actual final product could support that just a little bit. Being ditched by BET due a demographic focus change, then axed from the legal digital downloads after three episodes? This show was not treated kindly and deserved better. Not in just how it was treated but its actual execution, as well. I like the animation style used, how the comic book is brought to life. However, the story? Well…ah…the story isn’t all that it could be, to be honest.

And that’s a shame given the wealth of talent involved here. The cast is high-class and top-notch, the artwork is splendid and even the writer is renowned for doing some great work. But here, Reginald Hudland, who wrote both the original comic book source material and this animated adaptation, instead creates a repetitive and bland story that fails in its mission to bring the Black Panther into the modern age. All the potential seems just wasted here, and becomes increasingly disappointing when you look at the amazing talent that’s involved. Hudland is a self-confessed die-hard fan of the Black Panther, and there’s no fault there as T’Challa is an awesome Marvel character, but it’s surprising that his love of the character doesn’t carry over to his script.

The story is a basic exploration of the Black Panther and his homeland of Wakanda. However, Hudlin tosses in a fair share of new additions to the back story, expanding on the character’s original 1960’s origin. For the most part the changes aren’t really detrimental to the character. T’Challa has relatives who are jealous that he is the Black Panther, something we hear repeatedly through the six included episodes. And while the major technological advancements of Wakanda are common place in the comics, Hudlin has upped those advancements a bit, including cures for many diseases and electronic capabilities that far outweigh what we have today in the world. Hudlin has embellished all this from the original story and it’s not too much of a detraction from the character’s origin, but it does seem flat-out silly at times. Sure, it establishes why everyone basically wants to invade Wakanda (repeatedly, I might add), but it does add for some unnecessary complications. And what’s with characters from the 1800s using modern dialogue? Hunh?

There are other problems to be sure. The pacing seems mighty slow for the animated series, taking roughly three episodes before plot lines and stories start to come together and form a cohesive narrative. And even then, the pay-off is a bit of a letdown. The big climactic event that wraps up this six-episode series feels mighty underwhelming.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there is some good stuff to be found here. Again, the voice cast here is pretty astounding, with nary a fault to be found. Everyone, even Stan Lee hilariously cast a bigot military officer, seems to be pitch-perfect for their respective roles. Ad hey, how can you not love that awesome theme music? Even the animation, which takes artwork from the actual comics and “animates” them, is pretty sharp. Sure, it’s no more than an upgrade from the old 1960s Marvel cartoons that did the exact same thing, but the animation here actually looks pretty sharp. Sure, it definitely feels like a “motion comic,” as this reelase is now billed, but it feels more loose and more “animated” than the current motion comics available. Hell, it’s more animated than most cartoons out there nowadays.

That being said, the overall quality is disappointing, especially when there is only really one weak link in the chain. However, that weak link plays a mighty huge role in the series and it just kind of…ruins everything else here. Black Panther houses so much potential, and its treatment has been pretty abhorrent, but I’m sure there’d be more outrage if the final product was actually…better. There’s so much good going for this animated title, the voice talent and the animation style, it’s a shame to see it tainted by the flawed work of Hudlin. Hudlin is a talented guy, don’t get me wrong, but he took a bit of a misstep here and the result is…not pretty. Black Panther is worth no more than a Rental as I can’t see anyone wanting to watch this release again and again. Maybe for the great visuals, I suppose…

The DVD:

Bonus content is light for this release. On the disc, inside a nicely package cardboard digipack resembling a graphic novel, bonus content includes an interview with Reginald Hudlin on his affinity for the Black Panther character and his work on the series. Mostly fluff, to be honest, but it does provide a snapshot on how this series started and evolved into its final product. Outside of that we get a trailer and a music video and…that’s it. No more than 20 minutes of bonus content when it’s all said and done.

The audio and video quality is pretty standard,though not without flaws. The audio is crystal clear for the most part, though sound effects during the more action-oriented sequences can sound pretty muted. Additionally, the video features a few compression issues with some occasional color bleed. Nothing major but noticeable from time to time. A fine transfer I suppose, though could be better.

And I guess that’s an overall theme for the entire release, including the main feature and the DVD itself – could be better (the packaging is top-notch, though). It’s a slight DVD release, with only a teeny bit of extra material that doesn’t really flesh out the final product. Based on everything that happened behind-the-scenes in getting this series released, there’s plenty of untapped potential for content. However, what we get here is a nice, positive, fluffy take on what the creation of the series and…that will have to do. The audio and video is standard and, overall, it’s a pretty basic release for Black Panther. Still, given the quality of the main feature and lightness of the bonus content, I can’t recommend this release for anything more than a simple Rental, even if you’re a huge Black Panther fan.

More images from the Black Panther release can be found at Marvel Animation Age.

Black Panther is now available on DVD from Shout! Factory.

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