BLU-RAY REVIEW

Norm Of The North

Featured In Issue 207, June 2016

Picture4.5
Sound4
WSR Score3.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
48595
(MPAA Rating):
PG
(Rating Reason):
Mild rude humor and action.
(Retail Price):
$$34.95
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
90
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
4/19/2016
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Trevor Wall
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Spanish Language):
(Subtitles):

Norm Of The North follows a polar bear with unusual talents and a heart as big as the great outdoors. When he hears that human homes are going to be built in his Arctic backyard, Norm (Schneider) comes to the rescue. With a team of ragtag lemmings at his side, Norm heads to the concrete jungle of New York City on a freewheeling, fun-filled mission to stop the madness and save the Arctic. (Gary Reber)

Special features include nine deleted scenes (HD 04:35), Do The Arctic Shake! sing-along (HD 01:25), That’s Funny! The Movie’s Best Jokes & One-Liners (HD 02:06), the Arctic Challenge Trivia Game, upfront previews, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture was originally exhibited theatrically in 3D, though, there is no 3D Blu-ray Disc™ release. The animation is superb, especially with respect to Norm and the animals. Norm's textured fur rendering is incredible, especially in close-ups. This is true of the other animals as well. The human characters are not quite as resolved but still visually pleasing. The color palette is vividly rendered with realistic hues on the bears and the other animals. Hues are richly hued. Contrast is excellent, with deep blacks. This is a terrific-looking animated picture that will mesmerize youngsters. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack delivers a lively soundscape, with a busy orchestral score with a wide and deep soundstage that extends aggressively to the surrounds. Of course, there are fun song and dance sequences to entertain the younger ones. Deep bass nicely punctuates the action sequences. Dialogue is nicely intelligible, with at times, good spatial integration. This is an entertaining soundtrack that will provide lots of enjoyment for the entire family. (Gary Reber)