*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2012 'AUGMENTED REALITY' BLU RAY
***
Part of Universal Studios "100th Anniversary"
celebrations - there are 15 UK-released titles in this 23 April 2012 BLU RAY
and DVD series - and "Jurassic Park" is one of them - an
"Augmented Reality" issue.
Each of these re-releases has generic "100th
Anniversary" card-wrap packaging on the outside with matching artwork on
the inside box (no repackaging of old discs). The full series list (including
US titles of which there are a lot more) is in the 'comment' section attached
to this review…
So what is "Augmented Reality"? It's a 3D
mini-show that's built into the front sleeve of each release. You download the
free "Universal 100 App" from their website to your Smartphone or
Tablet (iPhone 3GS or above, iPad 2, Android and other high-end devices) - you
open the download and hold your phone/tablet over the front sleeve. It
wirelessly loads and then begins playing a 3D display that lasts about 20
seconds - in this case you're looking down at a Velocaraptor attacking a
Tyrannosaurus Rex while the Rex lets out that distinctive roar. That's it I'm afraid.
Pretty silly stuff and over as soon as its begun.
Better however is the 'price' - this is the first time
Universal has reissued BLU RAY retailing at less than ten pounds - these
singular discs are eight quid in most places - the DVDs two for a tenner. And
it’s the first time "Jurassic Park" has been on BLU RAY as a single
disc outside of the "Ultimate" Box Set (and with copious extras –
some of which are new).
PRINT QUALITY:
Truth told it's not great. I recently reviewed "The
Blues Brothers" in this series and before that the "Back To The
Future" Trilogy Box Set – both of which have fabulous print quality. I
wish I could say the same for "Jurassic Park". A large amount of the
time there are dollops of shimmering grain on the print – especially if the
scenes are indoors – of which there are a lot. You wouldn't think this would
put you off - but at times it's so prevalent (computer room sequences with
Samuel Jackson and Richard Attenborough) – it's all you see. And while the
T.Rex attack sequence is still mind-blowing – as are the Velocaraptor chases
inside the main facility - time has caught up with the rest of the prehistoric
renderings – many of the dinosaur special effects shots looking decidedly dated
and every so slightly out-of-focus.
SOUND:
Given a full on 7.1 surround remaster - the SOUND QUALITY is
exceptional from the get go. Even on standard audio systems something as
ordinary as the opening shot of trees blowing in the dark comes to life –
leaves rustling and creature shrieks fill every corner of your room. It adds
incredible power to so many scenes. I just wish the actual watch was better –
but like "Close Encounters Of A Third Kind" – the BLU RAY seems to
have made the viewing experience worse and not better – accentuating all too
often how bad the print is.
PACKAGING MISTAKES/EXTRAS:
First up - some marketing bright spark has also stuck a
lengthy "Lifetime Of Memories" Universal sticker right across the
back of ‘each release’ advertising holidays and prizes you can win - except
that it completely covers that part of the back-cover which tells you what
BONUSES on the disc. In other words you cannot visually tell what's actually on
this release - even as you hold it in your hand! It's a simple mistake - but a
staggeringly stupid one - and I'd argue sabotages sales of otherwise excellent
titles.
And when you peel off the sticker – more carelessness. The
card-wrap tells you there's a 'never-before-seen 6-part documentary featuring
all-new interviews with Directors Steven Spielberg and Joe Johnston – cast and
crew including…William H Macy'. THERE ISN'T. That blurb belongs to the 5-disc
"Ultimate" Box Set. What you do get however is impressive - the first
'3-parts' of that documentary - and an impressive 12 (not 13 as the box says)
archival featurettes of old. You have to say that it’s sloppy presentation to
say the least and Universal could surely be had legally for advertising
something that isn't on here? But – and it's worth re-stating this – what's on
here is EXTENSIVE and properly indepth (see full list below).
The film itself is still hugely entertaining and a milestone
in special effects development. The cup of water on the dashboard rippling as
T.Rex approaches – the vegetation-eating long-necked Brachiosaurus nudging the
children and Sam Neill in the tree – climbing the fence and getting off of it
just before the electricity comes on – outrunning the 'meatosaurus' in one of
the theme park cars with Jeff Goldblum caustically remarking afterwards
"You think that was part of the tour?" – Bob Peck's face and remark
as the Raptor ambushes him from the side instead of the front (dialogue above)
- the 'When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth' banner falling to the ground at the end…
"Jurassic Park" is Director Steven Spielberg at his entertaining best
- expertly racking up so many scenes with palpable tension and thrills.
To sum up then – the silly gimmick packaging, content
misrepresentation and sometimes disappointing picture quality aside – the
single disc of "Jurassic Park" gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
But I still can't help feel that if you can plum the extra for the Ultimate Box
Set (same thing for the "Back To The Future” Trilogy set too) – then the
multiple is a far better buy.
A good release then (and with great extras) - just don't
expect that "Perfect Hi-Def Picture" as per the blurb on the back of
the box.
BLU RAY Specifications:
VIDEO: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
AUDIO: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, French, Italian,
German, Spanish, Japanese DTS Surround 5.1
SUBTITLES: English SDH (Deaf/Hard Of Hearing), French,
Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish,
Icelandic, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish and Traditional Mandarin
SPECIAL FEATURES:
1, Return To Jurassic Park: Dawn Of A New Era (NEW – Part 1
of 6)
2. Return To Jurassic Park: Making Prehistory (NEW – Part 2
of 6)
3. Return To Jurassic Park: The Next Step In Evolution (NEW
– Part 3 of 6)
4. Archival Featurettes:
1. The Making Of Jurassic Park
2. Original Featurette On The Making Of The Film
3. Steven Spielberg Directs Jurassic Park
4. Hurricane In Kauai Featurette
5. Behind The Scenes:
1. Early Pre-Production Meetings
2. Location Scouting
3. Phil Tippett Animatics: Raptors In The Kitchen
4. Animatics: T-Rex Attack
5. ILM and Jurassic Park: Before And After The Visual
Effects
6. Foley Artists
7. Storyboards
8. Production Archives
6. Theatrical Trailer
7. Jurassic Park: Making The Game
8. My Scenes
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