Monthly round-up of the latest Blu-ray Disc releases

Here at AV Enthusiast we won’t just focus on the latest hardware news, but will in the coming months, also look at the latest Blu-ray disc releases to watch on your AV Systems. This month we catch up with some of the biggest disc releases and give you the full details, warts and all.

The AVForums movies team work hard to produce  independent and completely in-depth reviews and we will be featuring their output here on AV Enthusiast.  So, what discs have really shone or otherwise over the last few weeks? Here is the run down…

Boxset of the Month

Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series

Region: All Regions

Universal Pictures

UK Release 18 Certificate

20 disc set

Reviewed by Simon Crust

Buy this title from HMV or Amazon

Of all the re-makes/re-interpretations/re-envisions that have been produced over the years Battlestar Galactica is without doubt, or fear of contradiction, the best. Taking the main plot points of its predecessor and eliminating all of the ham, the child friendly elements and the aliens and by concentrating purely on the emotional drama of a struggling band of refugees fleeing for their lives, Moore and Eick have created epic and powerful television the likes of which had never been seen in the genre and as a consequence turned it on its head. This is not fantasy, this is science fiction as seen through the eyes of emotion. Attention to detail in writing, characterisation and story, Battlestar Galactica towers above anything before it and is the new bar upon which all will now be measured.

As a Blu-ray Universal has provided a spectacular set, unparalleled in its presentation; picture and sound are absolutely top notch and there are enough extras to keep any fan happy for weeks and weeks.

Make no mistake, folks, this is an incredible set and well worthy of your time and investment. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Overall score : 10
Read the full review at AVForums.com/movies

Disc of the Month

Braveheart

Region A (Locked)

Paramount Home Entertainment

US Release Certificate R

2 Discs

Review by Cas Harlow

Buy this title at Amazon or HMV

This spectacular Blu-ray release – with possibly the best video and audio that I have come across this year and a whole disc packed with worthy extras: both thorough, honest and informative in their presentation of the making of this epic – is one of the flagship vehicles for Paramount’s new Sapphire Series (alongside the disappointing Gladiator release) and easily the definitive version of this movie. Fans should have had this on pre-order, a must-have addition to their collections, and newcomers should consider it a worthy investment – so long as they are aware of its dangerous perversion of history, this remains Hollywood period action-epic at its grandest. Highly recommended.
Overall score : 9
Read the full review at AVForums.com/movies

Best of the Rest

Hot Fuzz

Region: All Regions

Universal Pictures

US Release Certificate R

1 Disc

Review by Alan Patterson

Buy this title at Amazon or HMV

‘Hot Fuzz’ comes to Blu-ray, guns blazing, with an excellent 1080p VC-1 transfer that’s framed handsomely in the widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Colours are superb with realistic looking British skin tones and contrast adding the necessary punch while black levels really kick. Sharp as a tack with little grain in evidence.
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track will have you inspecting your walls for bullets holes thanks to the immersive mix in the action sequences, while dialogue is clear and crisp throughout. A truly blockbuster soundtrack.
There are more extras on this disc than you can shake a truncheon at, with 5 commentaries for starters, deleted scenes and outtakes. Watch out for ‘The Man who would be Fuzz’.
As a movie, it’s a great pastiche of almost every American Buddy Cop movie you’ve ever seen (and many you haven’t), with a witty script that also pays homage to a wide range of films as it playfully swipes them in passing. If you haven’t seen it yet, you’re in for a treat.
Overall score : 8
Read the full review at AVForums.com/movies

Shaun Of The Dead

Region: All Regions

Universal Studios

US Release Certificate R

1 Disc

Review by Cas Harlow

Buy this title at Amazon or HMV

Shaun of the Dead has got to be one of the top 10 post-2000 comedies which, for my generation, also makes it arguably one of the best comedies of all time. Not only does it set new standards in recent Brit comedies, but it also trumps many of its US ilk, avoiding the standard tactics of insulting spoof antics in favour of gentle parody, and allowing the filmmaking trio of Wright/Pegg/Frost to both show up the flaws in the movies they love, whilst also showing why they love them in the first place. This kind of satire, done as a respectful homage, works perfectly for the cross-genres that it pokes fun at – romantic comedies and zombie horrors – and it went on to work perfectly for the follow-up Hot Fuzz. This new Region Free US Blu-ray release sports good video and audio, particularly considering the budget of the original production, as well as a bucket of extras that include everything that has previously adorned Home Video releases. It is great that we have finally got a definitive release of this gem, so go and get it now (if you haven’t already). Highly recommended.
Overall score : 9
Read the full review at AVForums.com/movies

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Region: All Regions

20th Century Fox

US Release Certificate PG-13

2 discs

Review by Gerard Magnier

Buy this title at Amazon or HMV

Both the audio and video presentations are very strong on this release but just fall shy of top marks. The video presentation is the more impressive of the two, appearing crisp, clear and well defined but is let down slightly by some softness and incidental flatness. The audio track can be impressive and engaging but overall sounds slightly underpowered and could have been improved upon in a number of areas. As usual Fox have included a wealth of extras and while some of these are a bit sparse in terms of worthwhile content, it is nonetheless a worthwhile collection of additional supplements. So while the extras, picture and audio quality are up to scratch, I’m afraid that the movie itself is most certainly not. For fans of this movie this BD release is a no brainer but I would recommend that those on the fence should rent before buying.

Overall score : 7
Read the full review at AVForums.com/movies

Gladiator – 2-Disc Special Edition

Region: All Regions

Universal

UK Release Certificate 15

2 Discs

Review by Chris McEneany

Buy this title at Amazon or HMV

One of the most troubled and controversial titles ever to make the leap to Blu-ray arrives with a sub-par transfer that, miraculously, still doesn’t look as bad as so many are determined to make it seem. Nevertheless, my most eagerly anticipated Blu-ray release ever (with Jaws running a very close second), the wait awfully protracted by post strikes and made all the more unbearable by the wave of hostile reviews elsewhere, is an immense disappointment.
The package, overall, is simply magnificent and the “event” of Gladiator’s BD debut, as tarnished as it is, is still not quite a travesty. Regardless of the rather pointless argument about something in hi-def being better than the DVD “not being good enough”, I know which version of the film I will be watching in the future. It is NOT what it should have been, by an Appian Way, but the extra detail and colour of this transfer make it a worthwhile viewing experience, just the same.

At least the smoothly CG’d Oliver Reed now blends in with the rest of the image a bit better, eh?

Overall score : 8
Read the full in-depth review at AVForums.com/movies