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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Monsters

    Featured In Issue 154, February 2011

    Picture3
    Sound3.5
    WSR Score3
    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):
    Magnolia Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    10361
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Language
    (Retail Price):
    $29.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    94
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2010
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    02/01/11
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Gareth Edwards
    (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 7.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Monsters tells the story of a NASA probe sent into space after discovering the possibility of alien life within our solar system. Upon its return, it crash-lands in Mexico where life-forms begin to appear soon after. These creatures establish themselves in the area. They are no longer aliens...they are residents. Two Americans find themselves in the middle of a forbidden area known as the "Infected Zone," desperately trying to make it to the U.S. border. On their terrifying journey, what they discover will defy explanation. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary with Writer/Director Gareth Edwards, Scoot McNairy, and Whitney Able; four deleted and extended scenes (HD 20:07); a behind-the-scenes featurette (HD 69:15); The Edit (HD 21:31); Visual Effects (HD 34:56); an interview with Edwards (HD 44:16); an interview with McNairy and Able (HD 28:04); a New York Comic Con discussion with Edwards (HD 05:02); HDNet: A Look At Monsters (HD 04:40); and up-front previews.

    The 1080p AVC picture was shot with Sony EX3 digital cameras. While a low-budget production, the picture is decent, though, shadow delineation is poor as well as low-light photography. The imagery is generally soft and at times blurry. The color palette is nicely balanced with rich and warm hues. Fleshtones appear accurate as well. Overall, this is a mediocre viewing experience but nevertheless intriguing for its locations in Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is conventional, with an essentially monaural focus, except for the lush music score, which envelops the soundfield. The sense of depth is enhanced with the added side channel sonics. Atmospheric sound effects, such as jungle sounds, are also enveloping and subtly effective to creative suspense. Dialogue sounds natural but at times difficult to discern. Still, spatial integration is decent. Bass extension is reserved for the action sequences but can be strong in the .1 LFE channel. Overall, this is an engaging soundtrack, but the "monsters'" presence is extremely limited and not particularly engaging, except for the last scene. (Gary Reber)

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