Blu-ray continues to deliver more impactful 3D for the home than one experiences with the same movie in theaters.
That’s the case with two new Blu-ray 3D releases the week of June 5:
“John Carter 3D” (Disney; $49.99 list price for 4-pack) was not nearly the colossal creative failure it has been labeled. In fact, it’s fairly entertaining, at least as much as many other action-filled epic sci-fi fantasy films.
A few notable qualities that justify a revisiting of the film on Blu-ray:
- Far more vivid and brighter 3D images that feature even greater depth that noticeably enhances everything from the expansive vistas to close-ups of action and drama
- Strong and visually dynamic; slightly silly and childish but modestly fun ride through time and space.
- Lovely princess (Lynn Collins) is closer to the soul of Xena: Warrior Princess than any traditional Disney princess.
- Bonus features that include several behind-the-scenes mini-docs, deleted scenes and bloopers, filmmaker audio commentary, none of which is riveting or stand out in any way, but collectively offer a deeper understanding and experience of the movie production and the evolution of the original Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, A Princess of Mars.
The story follows an American Civil War soldier (Taylor Kitsch) to the red planet where he finds himself caught up in another civil war amongst the locals on the fourth rock from the sun. But this time he quickly becomes the reluctant hero since he finds that he has gravity-defying leaping ability and slightly superhuman strength.
The most childish aspects relate to the globular creature with a dog-like personality that adopts Carter. And Carter’s leaping abilities and skills at executing them become quickly absurd. But all of that is easily dismissed by those willing to simply experience the movie as a fun piece of big entertainment.
“Journey 2 the Mysterious Island 3D” (Warner; $44.95 for 3D combo pack) is almost as much fun as the original groundbreaking 2008 film that was one of the first in this latest wave of 3D to really push the effect out into the audience (that’s why we at 3DHollywood.net named it the Most Dynamic 3D Experience that year). And the 3D is even better in this sequel. Here are a few reasons to check it out on Blu-ray:
- Highly unlikely but fun adventure to the fabled Jules Verne island where animals are of reverse size — elephants are the size of small dogs; butterflies are the size of pterodactyls and bees are big enough to fly.
- Should appeals to young boys who enjoy films such as the “Spy Kids” series.
- Dwayne Johnson and Vanessa Hudgens (“High School Musical”) are enjoyable cast additions.
- The foliage of the island is exploited well in 3D, with something always in the foreground to establish clear depth, and the gimmicky scenes of giant lizards and numerous objects extending off the screen are obvious but executed effectively.
- Only slightly disappointing that the Looney Tunes 3D short “Daffy’s Rhapsody” is not included here since it is not quite as fun as some of the recent Road Runner entries.
- Deleted scenes and gag reels
- Interactive behind-the-scenes mini docs is slightly more entertaining way to navigate from one video vignette to another by choosing an object on the graphic of the island
The idea is to traverse the spectacular and danger-filled island to find Verne’s famed Nautilus submarine and make their way back home.
It’s of the caliber of the less memorable Disney live-action movies such as “The Cat from Outer Space” or “The Island at the Top of the World,” all of which entertained plenty of audiences at the time, as will this film.
— By Scott Hetrick