Rise Of The Guardians 3D

Rise Of The Guardians is a fun-filled and magical story about the legendary guardians—Jack Frost (Pine), the Easter Bunny (Jackman), Santa Claus (Baldwin), the Tooth Fairy (Fisher), and Sandman—who together fight the evil Pitch (Law), who threatens to take over the world. These legendary heroes step up to protect the hopes and dreams of children everywhere. Based on Guardians Of Childhood book series by William Joyce and The Man In The Moon, a Reel FX short film directed by William Joyce. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the following under Blu-ray Exclusives: the games "Jack Frost Snowball Showdown!" and "Rock, Paper, Scissors With Sandy"; and the following under Legendary Features: Behind The Magic (HD 27:43), The Man Behind The Guardians (HD 06:25), Dreamers & Believers (HD 10:47), Sandy's Dream Guide, commentary by Director Peter Ramsey and Producers Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein, and previews. Also included are sneak peeks and upfront previews.

The 1.78:1 1080p MVC 3D picture is yet another spectacular 3D animation presentation. All the attributes of color palette, contrast, and resolution parallel both 2D and 3D versions. The picture exhibits incredibly sharp and clear imagery and is dramatically visual. Contrast is impeccable. Blacks are deep and solid in their purest form. Even the animated shadow delineation is extraordinary, with rock-solid black levels. Colors are bold and vibrant and exhibit warm and rich hues that pop. Every brush of color looks simply amazing. Resolution is simply incredible, with every fine detail perfectly discernible. The 3D imagery is impressively dimensional and pristine, for a visually enthralling and breathtaking experience that will engage the visual senses. This is, yes, another one of the finest renderings of a picture ever to be released on the Blu-ray Disc™ format. The resolution is eye-googling and mesmerizing, with its bold color palette! You will not be able to take your eyes off the screen, assuming you have a display system capable of extracting every nuance in the picture. The enhanced 3D depth perspective and dimensionality is dazzling, with every shot an experience in perception. Both positive parallax depth and negative parallax out-of-screen perspectives are effectively executed. Depth and dimension are perfectly and naturally rendered. Nuances such as snow flakes floating within and out of the frame are effective. The presentation is technically perfect and pristine, with absolutely no apparent crosstalk ghosting or other artifact, including noise. Even the opening DreamWorks logo trailer is reference-quality imagery. This is a MUST title for your 3D Blu-ray library! (Gary Reber)

The Dolby® TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is thoroughly engaging and immersive. Unfortunately, the added two channels are positioned to the far left and right back of the soundfield instead of to the 90-degree side positions, due to the original theatrical mix in Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound, which does not adhere to the optimum home 7.1-channel format. This necessitates a rewiring of 7.1-channel sound systems with the normal surrounds positioned 90 degrees relative to the sweet spot listening position and the added two channels in the back. Still, when the system is arranged for this presentation format, the spatial soundfield result is impressive, far more dimensional than just reproducing the soundtrack on a 5.1-channel system. Sonic imaging is superb and fully involving, with compelling directionalized surround activity that dramatically opens up the soundstage. Pans are delivered throughout the soundfield, and sound effects sound clear and convey a compelling sense of poignancy. Dialogue sounds natural and intimate, with good articulation and integration. Alexandre Desplat's orchestral music score is very nicely recorded, with an involving, expansive presence that is nicely resolved in terms of instrument timbre and positioning. Fidelity and clarity is pristine. The .1 LFE channel is used effectively, with a deep presence at times that develops the low end well and accentuates the action segments, consisting of both subtle low-end foundation to the music and poignant, significant moments with sub-25 Hz extension. The split surrounds are used liberally throughout to wonderful effect. This soundtrack is a superb sonic presentation, with consistently satisfying holosonic® soundfield envelopment. This is a practically faultless holosonic experience, with impressive definition and natural soundfield envelopment. (Gary Reber)