BLU-RAY REVIEW

Walking With Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie

Featured In Issue 186, April/May 2014

3D Picture4.5
Picture4.5
Sound5
WSR Score4.5
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):
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
2289404
(MPAA Rating):
PG
(Rating Reason):
Creature action and perl and mild rude humor
(Retail Price):
$49.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
87
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
2013
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
03/25/14
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Barry Cook & Neil Nightingale
(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):
Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(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):

Walking With Dinosaurs: The 3D Movie takes place in a time when dinosaurs rule the Earth. The smallest of the pack—a playful Pachyrhinosaurus named Patchi—embarks on the biggest adventure of his life. As he tries to find his place in a spectacular world filled with fun-loving friends and a few dangerous foes, Patchi will discover the courage he needs to become the leader of the herd...and a hero for the ages. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the Ultimate Dino Guide with Video and Interactive Map and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p MVC native 3D picture was supervised by stereographer Vince Pace of the Cameron Pace Group. The live-action footage at the front end, as well as the end, is seamlessly blended with the animation. The color palette is naturally hued with spots of bold saturation. Contrast is well balanced with deep blacks and nicely rendered shadows. Resolution is excellent with the CGI animation that appears finely resolved with effective sharpness and clarity. The 3D effects effectively enhance the sense of natural depth and perspective, not only during dinosaur close-ups but also in segments that entail vast outdoor vistas. While the 3D rendering is often subtle, the imagery appears perfectly natural and realistic. Dimensionality is excellent, with the occasional out-of-screen dramatic effect. This is a spectacular display of vast Alaskan vistas and historic dinosaur habitats that are appreciatively enhanced in the 3D presentation. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel's soundtrack is terrific, with excellent dynamics and fidelity. The .1 LFE channel is used effectively to create deep bass impact as the multi-ton dinosaurs romp the landscape. A few sequences during dinosaur battles and a forest fire are heightened in intensity, with effective atmospherics and sound effects that envelop the soundfield. Foley effects play a primary role in conveying the power of the beasts, accentuated with deep-bass thumping energy. Surround envelopment is effective in defining the vast soundscapes. The music score is nicely recorded with a wide and extended soundfield presence. Dialogue, while ADR, is cleanly presented and at times directionalized, even though none of the creatures actually exhibit mouth movement. This is a powerfully dynamic sonic experience that will thrill the family and awe the young ones. (Gary Reber)