Two notable new Blu-ray 3D titles are hitting stores today (May 24) and June 7, respectively:
* Gnomeo & Juliet (Disney, $49.99 for 3-disc Blu-ray 3D set) is a British animated comical modern-day twist on the Shakespeare story of tragic romance, this time amongst small porcelain garden gnomes, set to Elton John hits, and with a more upbeat ending.
- Cute and clever premise that will keep you mildly entertained and occasionally laughing
- 3D once again better and more impactful on Blu-ray than in theaters.
- Voice actors James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, and Michael Caine very engaging.
- New Elton John songs Love Builds a Garden and Hello Hello (latter with Lady Gaga) pleasant new additions to John canon.
- A John-like glam-gnome with sunglasses is hilarious.
- Finale with characters dancing to pepped up Nelly Furtado version of “Crocodile Rock” feels like a rip-off of “Shrek,” but cute
- Lots of fun extras, including John/Furtado music video, two alternate endings and six deleted scenes.
* Ocean Wonderland (Universal, $39.99) is a Jean-Michel Cousteau 40-minute IMAX underwater ocean life documentary.
- Wonderful footage of fish and plant life
- 3D is terrific, especially coral, dolphins, sea tortoise, and schools of fish swimming in circles with some drifters that appear to be swimming right up to your face.
- Heavy-handed and slightly condescending (except for the youngest viewers) message of being environmentally conscious.
- No bonus features is disappointing and makes this a pricey disc at only 40-min.
— By Scott Hettrick