James Harvey

When you do a cartoon series based on some of the biggest characters in the Marvel Universe, you want to do it right. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, to put it very simply, gets it right. Remember that terrible The Avengers: United They Stand cartoon, where the only good thing was the fact that it ended after thirteen episodes (though there was the awesome spin-off comic handled by Ty Templeton, but that’s for another time)? Well, this latest adventure series from Marvel Animation makes up for it in spades. Full of great writing, solid animation and exciting action, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes puts Marvel’s big guns out there and does them justice. Suffice it to say, this is the cartoon that countless Marvel fans have been waiting for!

Synopsis:
When the planet is threatened by super-villains, time traveling conquerors, mythical monsters or mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left… The Avengers assemble! Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Ant-Man, Wasp and The Incredible Hulk! Earth’s Mightiest Heroes must band together to protect the world from a break-out of Super-Villains the likes of which no one has never seen. Only the Avengers can stand against this threat, and the fate of the world rests on their shoulders. Discover their adventures and experience the excitement of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!

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As odd as this compliment may sound, I find The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to be…comforting. It’s straight-forward heroics with dynamic, developed characters. The action and stories feel “classic” to me, yet also not out of date. The show feels…genuine. That, to me, is probably the reason why this show has become such a fan-favorite among the comic crowd since its debut. Given some of the dubious treatment of the characters in the comics, the Avengers here feel as they should – heroes to the core. They’re called “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” for a reason, and we see it here.

We get all the big guns – like Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk and Thor – plus a few high-class B-listers – like Hawkeye, Giant-Man, Wasp and Black Panther. Together, they make up a pretty much iconic line-up of heroes. While Marvel has their fair share of big-time teams, I can’t think of any team more iconic than these guys. To me, when you think ‘super-hero team,’ you think of The Avengers (and the Justice League). Well, a comic reader like myself does, and hopefully this show will introduce this great gaggle of heroes to a new generation of comic readers.

This show works for me because it hits what I believe is the core truth of the Avengers, that they are the superteam of the Marvel Universe. Yeah, we also have our X-Men and Fantastic Four who go off and have their amazing adventures, but The Avengers are…they are what hold the Marvel Universe together. They are what other heroes strive to be at the end of the day. The X-Men want to be admired like them. Spider-Man looks up to these heroes, they are his idols. And even though this show is just starting, and the team is just coming together here, the creative team behind the show get it. They get what these characters represent on a higher level and in overall status for the Marvel Unvierse. And while they decide to become a team a bit too quickly at the end of “Breakout, Part Two,” thankfully they still do take the time in the following episodes to explore how this team will come and work together.

In fact, how the show starts off, with five episodes each composed of four inter-connected vignettes, it allows us to learn about these characters in a gradual fashion, effectively showing us just why these characters belong together. Mix in some backstory, lay the groundwork for future plotlines, and the show starts off on the right foot so, when the team does form, it works. They’re not just mushed together, but it feels a bit more natural than that. Of course the full team isn’t formed after “Breakout, Part Two,” but that’s just another charm of the series – it evolves. Yes, The Avengers are born at the end of the first two-parter of the series, but that’s not the end of it. New characters appear and join…heck, some even leave, but we do get to the final roster (for now), by the end of the last episode included on these two volumes, and it’s a good approach by the creative team. It just allows us to get to know the characters as they get to know each other, which in effect gives the viewer a bit more of a personal stake in the whole thing.

The show isn’t about each individual character and their assorted origins, but how they came together to become The Avengers, how they became a team. Yes, we learn about each of these characters, but the underlying theme in all of them is what led to each character becoming an Avenger prevails. We learn what we need to and how that eventually brings each character together.

My beefs with the show are very, very minimal. I found the birth of the Avengers at the end of “Breakout, Part Two” to be a smidgen rushed. It really needed just a couple more minutes just to allow the scene to breathe and move naturally along. And some episodes may be a bit weaker than others here, but overall I don’t really have much to complain about. The gelatinous Dough Boy seems a bit too silly as a villain to use in the episode “Living Legend,” another little nitpick I have. The writing seems just fine, the characters are all likable, the action well-handled (definitely a step-up from Wolverine and The X-Men, which seemed to suffer from slow action beats), and the stories never boring. Like I said, some episodes are better than others (the two-part “Gamma World” is easily my favorite in the collection), but there’s not an out-and-out stinker in the bunch.

The episodes included in release are “Iron Man is Born!,” “Thor the Mighty,” “Hulk Versus The World,” “Meet Captain America,” “Breakout, Part One,” “Breakout, Part Two,” “Some Assembly Required,” “Living Legend,” “Everything is Wonderful,” “Panther’s Quest,” “Gamma World, Part One,” “Gamma World, Part Two.”

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the comic material, or new to the scene, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is definitely worth your time (and, in this case, your money). It has this charm to it, this obvious attention paid to it, that allows it to rise above most of the animated shows that have come from Marvel. While not on par with the likes of The Spectacular Spider-Man, it can proudly stand alongside the likes of Wolverine and The X-Men and the best of the Marvel Animated Features DTVs, and deserves to be added to one’s home video collection. The casting is great, the writing is great, the animation is slid, and it all comes together in fine form. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes comes Highly Recommended.

The DVD:

Available only in Canada, though still playable on all Region 1 and Multi-Region players, Vivendi Entertainment Canada brings us The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Season One, Volume One in undeniably snazzy packaging. No doubt they’re going the extra mile to try and lure Canuck fans from importing the American releases for the series and, well, you have to admit they’re doing a heck of a great job with it.

This two-disc set, that in itself has already grabbed the attention of many, is housed in a nice cardboard digipack fold-out case. No slipcase to keep it in, unfortunately, but the cardboard case folds out to reveal two separate disc holders and an additional page to house the exclusive poster also included. It’s definitely a great looking package that, undoubtedly, will stand out on shelves. It looks, well, high-class. It reminds of the great effort Vivendi Entertainment Canada put into their Wolverine and The X-Men: The Complete First Season Steelbook release. It just looks great, plain and simple. However, packaging isn’t everything, so let’s keep going…

The widescreen transfer on all thirteen episodes, across both discs, looks great but not perfect. Compression is definitely noticeable, but not to the point where it’s too distracting. It’ll be apparent from time to time. Colors remain bright and vibrant, the blacks are deep. While not on par with the The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes DVD releases from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, they’re still nothing to scoff at. Moving on to the audio, the English Dolby track is crystal clear and, at times, just enjoyably loud and thunderous. The French audio track also gets a good showing. It’s a respectable showing from the Vivendi crew.

Extras are pretty slim here, sadly. The bonus features add up to three additional featurettes already readily available on Marvel.com. Each run only a couple of minutes and…that’s it. For those who haven’t seem these featurettes, all three are rather enjoyable fluff peices that run a few minutes. One features story editor Chris Yost, and the other two spotlight voice actors from the series, Rick Wasserman and Fred Tatasciore. Slim, yes, but could be worse…they could be barren like the recent Batman: The Brave and The Bold two-disc sets from Warner Home Video. Still, Vivendi does deserve serious recognition for making sure this is one release that people don’t skip over on the shelves.

Now, will these stop Canadian fans from importing the single-disc The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes DVDs released in America? Well, it depends on how crucial the bonus features are. If they’re not important, then this nice two-disc set from Vivendi should do fans just fine. If bonus features are important, well, I have to give the nod to Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and their informative features that look ahead at the second season of this great cartoon. Still, Vivendi also has a leg up with their release being a two-disc set at an affordable price (between $15 – 20 dollars), while Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is releasing two which’ll cost slightly higher (between $20 – 25). There are a couple things to consider for Canucks trying to decide which edition to get.

Judging this collection solely on its own merits, and no comparisons to any other concurrent releases, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Season One, Volume One two-disc DVD release definitely comes Highly Recommended to own. This cartoon is perfect – absolutely perfect – for new fans, casual fans, and the die-hards. This show embraces what makes The Avengers such a great Marvel team and just runs with it…and it works beautifully! It provides enough nods to the well-versed fans while not alienating those new to the franchise, and manages to balance it all quite nicely. Plus, the show’s just fun! Toss in a gorgeous looking package, slim but enjoyable extras, and you have a great two-disc set that fans really should pick up. Seriously – go get it!

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Season One, Volume One Limited Edition two-disc DVD release hits Canadian retailers on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011.

It’s safe to say that this is the cartoon Marvel fans have been waiting for. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes brings it all out there, so much of what makes the Marvel Universe such a unique place, and pretty much lays it all out on the table. And, for those having flashbacks of the old The Avengers: United They Stand Fox Kids cartoon, fear not, they hit it out of the park. Yeah, there are just a handful of teensy-tiny issues but, overall, this is a very strong showing for some of Marvel’s best heroes, and simply a great new series from Marvel Animation.

Synopsis:
When the planet is threatened by super-villains, time traveling conquerors, mythical monsters or mad robots bent on the total destruction of humanity, when the forces of evil are so overwhelming that no single hero has the power to save the world, when there is no hope left… The Avengers assemble! Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Ant-Man, Wasp and The Incredible Hulk! Earth’s Mightiest Heroes must band together to protect the world from a break-out of Super-Villains the likes of which no one has never seen. Only the Avengers can stand against this threat, and the fate of the world rests on their shoulders. Discover their adventures on these new DVD home video releases – The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment!

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Please note this review will cover both DVD volumes – The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! – given the content of each.

As odd as this compliment may sound, I find The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to be…comforting. It’s straight-forward heroics with dynamic, developed characters. The action and stories feel “classic” to me, yet also not out of date. The show feels…genuine. That, to me, is probably the reason why this show has become such a fan-favorite among the comic crowd since its debut. Given some of the dubious treatment of the characters in the comics, the Avengers here feel as they should – heroes to the core. They’re called “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” for a reason, and we see it here.

We get all the big guns – like Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk and Thor – plus a few high-class B-listers – like Hawkeye, Giant-Man, Wasp and Black Panther. Together, they make up a pretty much iconic line-up of heroes. While Marvel has their fair share of big-time teams, I can’t think of any team more iconic than these guys. To me, when you think ‘super-hero team,’ you think of The Avengers (and the Justice League). Well, a comic reader like myself does, and hopefully this show will introduce this great gaggle of heroes to a new generation of comic readers.

This show works for me because it hits what I believe is the core truth of the Avengers, that they are the superteam of the Marvel Universe. Yeah, we also have our X-Men and Fantastic Four who go off and have their amazing adventures, but The Avengers are…they are what hold the Marvel Universe together. They are what other heroes strive to be at the end of the day. The X-Men want to be admired like them. Spider-Man looks up to these heroes, they are his idols. And even though this show is just starting, and the team is just coming together here, the creative team behind the show get it. They get what these characters represent on a higher level and in overall status for the Marvel Unvierse. And while they decide to become a team a bit too quickly at the end of “Breakout, Part Two,” thankfully they still do take the time in the following episodes to explore how this team will come and work together.

In fact, how the show starts off, with five episodes each composed of four inter-connected vignettes, it allows us to learn about these characters in a gradual fashion, effectively showing us just why these characters belong together. Mix in some backstory, lay the groundwork for future plotlines, and the show starts off on the right foot so, when the team does form, it works. They’re not just mushed together, but it feels a bit more natural than that. Of course the full team isn’t formed after “Breakout, Part Two,” but that’s just another charm of the series – it evolves. Yes, The Avengers are born at the end of the first two-parter of the series, but that’s not the end of it. New characters appear and join…heck, some even leave, but we do get to the final roster (for now), by the end of the last episode included on these two volumes, and it’s a good approach by the creative team. It just allows us to get to know the characters as they get to know each other, which in effect gives the viewer a bit more of a personal stake in the whole thing.

The show isn’t about each individual character and their assorted origins, but how they came together to become The Avengers, how they became a team. Yes, we learn about each of these characters, but the underlying theme in all of them is what led to each character becoming an Avenger prevails. We learn what we need to and how that eventually brings each character together.

My beefs with the show are very, very minimal. I found the birth of the Avengers at the end of “Breakout, Part Two” to be a smidgen rushed. It really needed just a couple more minutes just to allow the scene to breathe and move naturally along. And some episodes may be a bit weaker than others here, but overall I don’t really have much to complain about. The gelatinous Dough Boy seems a bit too silly as a villain to use in the episode “Living Legend,” another little nitpick I have. The writing seems just fine, the characters are all likable, the action well-handled (definitely a step-up from Wolverine and The X-Men, which seemed to suffer from slow action beats), and the stories never boring. Like I said, some episodes are better than others (the two-part “Gamma World” is easily my favorite in the collection), but there’s not an out-and-out stinker in the bunch.

The episodes included in these two single-disc volume releases are “Iron Man is Born!,” “Thor the Mighty,” “Hulk Versus The World,” “Meet Captain America,” “Breakout, Part One,” “Breakout, Part Two” on The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and “Some Assembly Required,” “Living Legend,” “Everything is Wonderful,” “Panther’s Quest,” “Gamma World, Part One,” “Gamma World, Part Two” on The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn!.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the comic material, or new to the scene, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is definitely worth your time (and, in this case, your money). It has this charm to it, this obvious attention paid to it, that allows it to rise above most of the animated shows that have come from Marvel. While not on par with the likes of The Spectacular Spider-Man, it can proudly stand alongside the likes of Wolverine and The X-Men and the best of the Marvel Animated Features DTVs, and deserves to be added to one’s home video collection. The casting is great, the writing is great, the animation is slid, and it all comes together in fine form. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes comes Highly Recommended.

The DVD:

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) has collected the first thirteen episodes of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes over two separate single DVD releases and, to be honest, much like the animated program itself, there’s little to complain about. Packaging is standard Amaray cases snugly tucked in foil-embossed cardboard slipcases. Looks sharp and will stand out on shelves.

Digging in, WDSHE provided what I find to be a satisfying release. In terms of audio and video, you really can’t ask for better here. The widescreen transfer on all thirteen episodes, across both discs, is pretty spectacular and near flawless. Yes, there’s some slight compression and noticeable aliasing, but you won’t see it unless you’re looking for it. The colors are bright and vibrant, the blacks are solid, and everything appears smoothe. This is a seriously high-quality transfer, something that seems to becoming a rarity on DVD thanks to Blu-ray. This show will look stunning on your TV and, thankfully, it’ll sound just as excellent. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 track is crystal clear and, at times, just thunderous. Action scenes pop and work all the channels, with quieter scenes sounding just as crisp. Crank it up, folks!

Extras are slim but not underwhelming. Outside of the standard collection of trailers (including a trailer for the live-action Thor theatrical film), bonus content consists of two featurettes, totaling fifteen minutes, looking at the second season of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. These featurettes are filled with spoilers, so watch out! Clips from first and second season episodes not yet broadcast come fast and furious, along with production artwork, so if you don’t want those ruined….becareful! The featurettes are dubbed “New Looks, New Heroes” and “New Stories, New Threats,” and deliver exactly what their names state. Personally, after watching these, I’m really excited for the first season to finish up so we can move ahead with the second. The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes looks to be moving in some pretty interesting directions.

My only gripe is that I wish this WDSHE released a two-disc set as opposed to two single-disc volume releases. The first thirteen episodes in one collection. That seems to be a growing trend among, see the recent Batman: The Brave and The Bold DVD releases, and it would’ve been nice to see that done here. Outside of that, I have nothing to complain about for these releases. Everything is pretty top-notch across the board when it comes to quality here.

Overall, fans will not want to miss out on The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! when they hit shelves. I find these two volumes are the perfect way to introduce new viewers to these great Marvel characters. The stories and characters are accessible, the animation is well-done, and the show never fails to entertain. For comic fans, this is the Marvel Universe cartoon you have been waiting for – no question about it! For those looking for a great access point into the world of Marvel, this is seriously the best place for you to start. Both The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! come Highly Recommended, and I recommend you pick up both volumes in order to get the full experience of Marvel’s latest and possibly greatest ‘toon!

The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume One: Heroes Assemble! and The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes – Volume Two: Captain America Reborn! arrive on DVD April 26th, 2011 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

Two heroes duking it out with one another, usually over a misunderstanding of some type, is pretty standard comic fare. Fans have long since wished to see some of the most heroic clashes brought to life and, in 2009, Marvel Animation did just that with Hulk Versus, pitting the Jade Giant against two of Marvel’s biggest characters, Wolverine and Thor. These two short movies, which together compromised Hulk Versus, were well-received across the board. Each were their own beast, both presenting standalone stories of the Hulk tackling renowned Marvel characters. Now, with the live-action Thor around the corner, Lionsgate Home Entertainment is releasing one of them, Hulk Versus Thor, as its own single-disc DVD release.

Synopsis:
With the forces protecting Asgard at their weakest, Loki the trickster seizes the opportunity to destroy his cursed stepbrother, Thor, once and for all. In an epic battle that pits god against monster, the Mighty Thor is forced to clash with the only creature that has ever been able to match his strength – the Incredible Hulk! Prepare for a battle of epic proportions with Hulk Versus Thor!

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Fans of Thor may find themselves torn by this 45 minute movie. Thor takes an enormous amount of punishment in this movie, but he does it for a reason. A reason that some viewers may not realize right away, which I won’t spoil here. The plot is pretty basic, though surprisingly steeped in Thor’s mythology (considering Hulk is the headliner in the title, he’s more like a guest-star in the actual feature). Loki has brought the Hulk to Asgard in order to take over the kingdom. After separating Banner from the Hulk, Loki soon finds himself unable to control the beast, resulting in Thor and Loki teaming up to save Asgard from total destruction at the hands of that green beast. While the plot may be simple, the movie brings a majestic feel to the story, helping elevate it above such simple trappings.

Additionally, we get to see a great amount of Thor’s supporting characters, some who are given smaller roles than others, of course, but still, each one gets a moment or two to shine. Thor himself is given the largest role in the movie, more so than even the top-billed Hulk, and he’s handled quite well for the character. Again, others may find fault with how the Hulk really does take Thor to the cleaners, but I thought it worked in building the suspense in the story. And given the surroundings, it’s a story that’s really easy to get totally engaged in. Maybe it was the fantastical nature of the setting, but Hulk Versus Thor will really suck the viewer right in. We have this great new world that I find is utilized quite nicely.he designs are stylized, but they also carry a sense of the fantastic to them. The movie definitely keeps the designs true to their comic roots, giving us classic versions of some of the most beloved costumes in the Marvel Universe.

Before I go any further, I just want to make specific note of a few things. In terms of the cast, Fred Tatasciore is great as the Hulk, providing just the right amount of ferocity to the role, one he’s reprising from previous Marvel Animated Features. Matthew Wolf as Thor, brings noticeable weight and gravitas to the respective roles, making it all the more easier to believe this fantastical world he inhabits. The score by Guy Michelmore also deserves a special mention. Michelmore manages to ups his game considerably with each movie he composes, and his excellent work here is no exception.

If I have any major criticism, it seems that Hulk acts mostly as a plot point for the movie. It’s because of Hulk that Thor has to go to Hell itself to try and save Asgard. Hulk is simply a pawn here, but I suppose that is one of the most logical way to throw the Hulk into a world where we wouldn’t usually see him. On the other hand, I like that this movie actually had the nerve to toss the viewer into the middle of a story. When we first see Bruce Banner in Hulk Versus Thor, he’s already been captured by Loki. Sure, the movie gives enough exposition to keep the viewers up to speed, especially those who may be new to the Marvel Universe, but it’s a nice trick to throw us into the thick of things.

While Hulk Versus Thor may not be perfect, it will definitely please fans and newcomers, plus it still holds up as its own adventure. Those coming off the live-action Thor movie will likely get a rise out of this animated brawl. If you’re looking for a kick-ass comic movie, you got it here! The visuals are eye-popping and exciting, the characters engaging and the story is a genuine “how will they get out of this?” kinda ride. It’s a no-brainer to check off Hulk Versus Thor as Recommended.

The DVD:
Lionsgate Home Entertainment, and Maple Pictures in Canada, has released this Hulk Versus Thor DVD as a very obvious and very deliberate cash-in for the upcoming live-action Thor movie, an easy impulse buy at a very affordable price. It’s a no-frills package. No fancy packaging or inserts of any kind. Just the disc. Click here to view media from this release.

The bonus content for this disc is identical to what was released on the original Hulk Versus: Two-Disc Special Edition DVD release from 2009. We get an audio commentary with Craig Kyle and Chris Yost, an audio commentary with Frank Paur, Sam Liu and James Peters, a “Of Gods and Monsters: The Making of Hulk Versus Thor featurette, a “Jack Kirby + Thor” featurette, a First Look – Thor: Tales of Asgard featurette, and a collection of trailers. The only real new content are a few new trailers for recent and upcoming Lionsgate releases.

The commentary by Kyle and Yost is enthusiastic and informative, basically covering the same ground as the other commentary. However, they reveal an interest fact about the opening credits for Hulk Versus Thor that really adds to the movie and talk about some neat deleted concepts. The second audio commentary with Paur, Sam Liu and James Peters basically covers how they approached this story and what they wanted to convey in their style to make the movie feel as epic as the characters themselves. The “Of Gods and Monsters: The Making of Hulk Versus Thor featurette is your standard EPK featurette, covering the basics on the creation of Hulk Versus Thor. The “Jack Kirby + Thor” featurette pays tribute to Kirby and covers the influence of the famed artist on the project and how they tried to stay true to what Kirby created. After that the “First Look – Thor: Tales of Asgard” featurette gives us our first look at the next (and last) Marvel Animated Feature, hitting shelves next month, starring a young Thor exploring the world of Asgard and covering the character’s origin.

All in all, a great selection of bonus materials, but nothing we haven’t seen before. And, much like the original Hulk Versus DVD release, the animation quality is very high and it looks really nice on a standard-definition transfer. The colors look solid and everything looks smashing. The audio track, as you can expect, sounds excellent in 5.1 Dolby Digital, with everything coming out crisp and clear. A really solid audio and video transfer.

So, can I recommend this release? Well, it’s kind-of hard to. While Hulk Versus Thor can be picked up for as little as $6, the original Hulk Versus DVD release, with both Hulk Versus Thor and Hulk Versus Wolverine, can be swooped up for between $5 – 10 dollars. The only way I could recommend this release is if you really, really can’t stand or care for Wolverine, or are coming out of Thor and just want to see more of the Norse God in action. That’s it, really. To everyone else, you can easily Skip It. Besides, for a few dollars more, the original Hulk Versus Blu-ray release is still readily available for around $10.

Hulk Versus Thor is now available on DVD home video.

Related Reviews:
–Hulk Versus Blu-ray Review
–Hulk Versus: Two-Disc Special Edition DVD Review

If you didn’t enjoy the previous thirteen episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold, then I doubt this latest collection will change any minds. However, there’s just so much here to love that it’s impossible for me not to implore readers, even those who have never given this show a chance, to give it a spin. Yes, it’s different than any Batman cartoon that has come along in recent times, but there’s just so much going for it – it’s so fun, so inventive and completely unique – that it’s hard not to be won over by the charm it exudes in droves. And thankfully, Warner Home Video has given us thirteen more episodes to chew on in this new home video DVD release.

Synopsis:
Batman wings into an exciting new era, teaming with a mighty honor roll of DC Comics Super Heroes in the action-packed Batman: The Brave and The Bold: Season One, Part Two. Through the show’s final 13 animated adventures in this 2-disc collection, the Dark Knight allies with Aquaman, Plastic Man, Blue Beetle, Red Tornado, Green Arrow, Wildcat, Deadman, Bronze Tiger and Atom to take on an array of evildoers ranging from mad scientists to intergalactic crooks, from power-mad dictators to out-of-control teenagers. He even travels to a parallel world, becoming the villainous Owlman! In this cool, cutting-edge and often funny series bringing back old-school comic-book styling and dry wit to crimefighting, Batman faces any peril – including other heroes stealing the show – in his relentless pursuit of justice.

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It’s more of the same with Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two, and I couldn’t be happier. Like I said, you either like this show or don’t at this point of the game, and whatever is included here may not change any minds. However, I still think fans (casual or die-hard) should give this show a chance, and there’s some real gems on this latest release that any Bat-fan would love, I believe. In fact, there’s plenty in this latest episode collection that just dwarfs what came in the first half of the season. We get Robin, The Music Meister, Huntress, Sherlock Holmes, and that’s just to name a few. Aquaman’s back for more, we see Jonah Hex stranded in the future, a great nod (via costume) to Batman: Gotham By Gaslight, and piles upon piles of references to classic DC Comics lore. Basically, if you liked the first thirteen episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold, well, you’re going to love these!

Batman: The Brave and The Bold is a show that just continues to surprise. It does its own thing, and almost always zips when it should zag. It’s rarely boring, always engaging, and pretty much always enjoyable. Even the weaker episodes end up being something a little special. Here we get Batman at his most heroic. He’s a crime-fighter and hero first, putting himself out there with the best (or most obscure) of DC Comics. Heck, I’d even call this version of Batman the most “innocent,” for lack of a better term, we’ve ever seen. While the show doesn’t focus on the character’s dark, brooding nature, that doesn’t mean we’re denied it. It’s a part of him, but all of that is pushed to the back and, instead, we get Batman at his most…ideally heroic. There’s more to it than that, yes, but here he’s a super-hero through and through.

This collection includes what I believe to be some major key episodes for this series, specifically “The Color of Revenge,” “Legends of the Dark Mite,” and “Mayhem of the Music Meister.” “Color…” for the fact that it introduces Robin into the series and “Legends…” because of Bat-Mite and, well, there’s that great speech about how versatile the character of Batman is. And “Music Meister” because it’s such a perfectly crafted episode in nearly every regard. Who would have thought we’d ever see a Batman musical that works as well as this one does? I promise you’ll be humming songs from that episode for days after giving it a spin. Pretty much every episode in this collection is top-notch, some more than others, but these three are definitely fan-favorites among what’s counted here.

Episodes featured in this collection include “Mystery in Space!,” “Trials of the Demons!,” “Night of the Huntress!,” “Menace of the Conqueror Caveman!,” “The Color of Revenge!,” “Legends of the Dark Mite!,” “Hail the Tornado Tyrant!,” “Duel of the Double Crossers!,” “The Last Bat on Earth!,” “When Omac Attacks!,” “The Fate of Equinox!,” “Mayhem of the Music Meister!,” and “Inside the Outsiders!”

With this release, the first 26 episodes of Batman: The Brave and The Bold are now collected in two very affordable DVD titles. It would be a crime if Warner Home Video doesn’t release the remaining 39 episodes to this series, and I can only assume they will (likely on three more thirteen-episode, 2-disc collections) since Batman remains a heavy cash-cow for the Time Warner family. That’s besides the fact, however. This entire deserves to be released because, when you get down to the bottom of it, it’s just a fantastic cartoon from start to finish that all Bat-fans, young and old, should be able to get into. Not only is it a good Batman cartoon, it’s just a good show – period. It’s just impossible not to enjoy.

Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two collects thirteen more stellar episodes from this flat-out excellent animated series, wrapping up the first season on DVD. Lots of folks out there may think this isn’t “their” Batman, but that honestly shouldn’t stop anyone from giving this ‘toon a whirl. There’s plenty of action, some flat-out hilarious moments, solid dialogue, and plenty of in-jokes and nods for even the most die-hard Bat-fan to enjoy. Batman: The Brave and The Bold harkens back to a pre-“grim and gritty” Batman and it’s actually a bit refreshing to see, in light of recent portrayals both on the big screen and the comics (both of which are still excellent in their own way, I should add). This version of Batman isn’t better or worse than what came before, just a different take on a great character, and this cartoon is easily becoming one of the best animated incarnations of our beloved Caped Crusader. Find out why this cartoon is always showered with accolades by checking out the thirteen episodes featured in this collection, all new to DVD. Without a doubt, Batman: The Brave and The Bold is Highly Recommended.

The DVD:

Another sparse release, Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two arrives in the standard two-disc Eco Amaray case. As to what should be no surprise, there are no inserts or anything to be found, though the Amaray case is nicely snuggled in a snazzy cardboard slipcase. Disc art is as basic as can be, and now bafflingly black-and white, and menus are simple and easy to navigate. Outside of a single trailer for a CGI Hot Wheels cartoon, there are zero extras on this set. Basically, this release is a carbon copy of the previous release. Just the episodes and nothing more, really.

While the disc may lack bonus features, the A/V quality here is actually pretty solid. Audio is a standard English Stereo mix and the video presentation is an anamorphic widescreen encode, resulting in a surprisingly stunning image. If you’ve been watching this on Teletoon or Cartoon Network, you should notice an immediate step up in the visual clarity.

Overall, it’s a sparse release in terms of bonus content but worth picking up for the 13 collected episodes, all of which are new to DVD. Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two finishes off the first season of this great series on DVD, and actually bodes well for the next two seasons to see subsequent collections down the line. That being said, this show really deserves a more in-depth and expansive release, and I’m hoping Warner Home Video will provide actual extras in future releases of Batman: The Brave and The Bold. Even though the first season is collected, it’s not too late. This series has so much going on for it, and so many great nods for comic fans and Bat-fans alike, and I have no doubt there’s a wealth of material just waiting to be set free. However, for this release, despite being significantly bare bones, Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two is very easy to Recommend and should definitely be sought out by fans. The strength of the main feature here, thirteen great episodes of this excellent Bat-toon, is strong enough to overcome any deficit caused by the lack of extras. Pick up this release!

Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two is now available to own on DVD from Warner Home Video! Please click here for more details!

Discussion Thread:
–Batman: The Brave and The Bold – Season One, Part Two DVD Talkback (Spoilers)

It’s impossible to keep a good franchise down, and the Scooby-Doo franchise is a pretty solid example of that. Countless television shows, a couple live-action movies, piles of animated movies, and countless piles of merchandise. Earlier this year, Cartoon Network introduced the latest installment of the Scooby-Doo franchise, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, a series that pays heavy homage to the original cartoon while giving a bit of a modern twist to it all. As to what should be no surprise, what we end up with here is a pretty fun romp that Scooby-Doo fans should find pretty impossible to pass up.

Synopsis:
Hop in the van for Mystery Inc.’s new, cool series of spooky capers. Like, it’s an all-new Scooby-Doo TV series for families who want their mysteries like Scooby-Doo and Shaggy want their pizza … spicy with extra sauce! Join the gang in Crystal Cove – the most haunted place on Earth – to solve creepy cases packed with fearsome spooks and frights, exciting chases, terrifying surprises and of course, Freddy’s ingenious traps. But the gang doesn’t fall for that ghost stuff anymore. They know there’s always a bad guy behind the monster suit, until they receive a cryptic clue from the mysterious Mr. E, who challenges them with their greatest mystery yet – to uncover the secret behind the curse of Crystal Cove! Get trapped with Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Freddy, Daphne and Velma in four action-packed adventures from the cool, new show that’s a lot of doggone fun!

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Somewhat of a reboot, I suppose, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated keeps the essence of what made the franchise so huge in the first place and infuses it with modern sensibilities. Every character is back to their classic roles, though with little twists to keep things from getting stale. Our characters, presented here in their late teens, sleuth their way through the usual standard mysteries, the mysteries themselves usually engaging enough to keep ones attention and provide a good laugh. The dynamic is classic, for sure, though there are some slight twists made to the form, thanks to some real nifty writing. Most notably, Fred and Daphne continue to wrestle with their feelings for each other, not outright but it’s there, but now Velma and Shaggy are getting in on the budding romance department. Sure, both Fred and Shaggy seem a bit clueless when it comes to this, but it’s a nice development for the cast of characters. The Fred and Daphne relationship is pretty much a given in any Scooby-Doo cartoon, but I like the addition of something brewing between Velma and Shaggy, especially the complications it brings for Scooby. In the first episode, Shaggy is actually afraid to tell Scooby because it could hurt his feelings…neat touch.

As I said above, this series continues with the standard episode formula for your standard Scooby-Doo cartoon, but they added a little something extra this time around. In addition to the “done in one” mystery, we also get a neat interconnected story-line that lightly connects the four episodes included here on this release. Personally, I find it adds to the show and raises it up a level or two as compared to the previous recent Scooby-Doo cartoons. It also gives the main cast a chance to deftly interact, resulting in some great one-liners and comedic exchanges. The writing is really excellent, bordering on subversive and sometimes deliciously absurd from time to time. Sure, these cartoons aren’t meant to be deep or thought-provoking studies by any means, but this recent adaptation of the Scooby-Doo franchise is probably the most fun its been since the original series kicked off nearly 50 years ago.

The animation style of the series deserves a nod, too. What we get here in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is this neat, sleek take on the original 1960s designs. The designs are classic, but tweaked just enough to look modern, and nicely stylized. The series tends to shift between these great brilliant colors, usually blue ad green (those two in particular seem to dominate the color scheme), and some moody, darker tones. It never gets too dark or scary for the kids, nor obnoxiously over-the-top for the adults, but the show tends to straddle the line quite nicely. If you find yourself bored by what’s happening on screen, at least you have a great looking series to please the eye. Sure, the animation itself can be a bit stiff from time to time, but the show tends to look sharp every second.

The four episodes featured on this release include “Beware the Beast from Below,” “The Creeping Creatures,” “Secret of the Ghost Rig,” and “Revenge of the Main Crab.” I find “Beware the Beast from Below” to be the sharpest episode on the disc, but all four are worth a spin.

I find Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated to easily be on par with the best of the Scooby-Doo direct-to-video animated features, definitely in terms of writing? Animation…well, not so much, but definitely writing. It just has a great edge that elevated what could of been a stale, one-note series into something little extra.

In the end, the most surprising thing is how many levels this show manages to play on. Yes, it has the usual Scooby-Doo mysteries to keep the kids entertained, but it also has a great subversive, slightly edgy tone to it that grown-ups can easily get into as well. There’s some real biting humor that will definitely surprise the audience, but also won’t alienate anyone or feel inappropriate to the younger set. It winks at the audience without making fun of what makes a show like Scooby-Doo work. Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is easily one of the best animation revivals to come out of Warner Home Video in recent years. It’s a great spin on an old classic that could easily put some of the other recent revivals (like Transformers, to name one) to shame. Without hesitation, I find Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated comes definitely Highly Recommended.

The DVD:

As much as I enjoyed the main presentation, I do have some reservations about the DVD itself. It’s not the lack of extras, all we get here are some trailers, or anything to do with the audio/video quality. In fact, save for some macro-blocking on occasion and some noticeable compression, it’s a pretty standard across the board.

What has me at a it of a loss is the fact that Warner Home Video seems to be going back to the old way of releasing animated shows on DVD – three or four episodes at a time. This release is billed as Season One, Volume One, giving me the impression that there’s at least two more releases to go to collect the first thirteen episodes. Why doesn’t Warner just release this series in a nice two-disc set instead of stretching it out. Sure, the four episode volume pack makes for a good impulse purchase, especially when it’s prices for around $10, but it is disappointing for fans (and even parents) wanting to get the most bang for their buck.

I can easily recommend Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Volume One on the merits of the actual program itself. It’s a great show that definitely surpassed my expectations and ended up surprising me. However, I do have some reservations on the format Warner Home Video is using to release the show on DVD. I am hoping that subsequent volumes will either up the episode count or make sure the suggested retail price is appropriate for what’s included on the release. That being said, I will stamp Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Volume One as Recommended based on the main feature, and encourage Scooby-Doo fans new and old – or perhaps those even looking for something a little different – to pick this up. It’s better than it has every right to be, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Volume One is now available to own on DVD.

Before I get going, I just want to make my stance clear on whether or not Black Panther is an animated series or a motion comic. Personally, I don’t feel right calling this a “motion comic.” It doesn’t feel like it. Sure, some of the limitations of the format are there, but this feels far more “animated” than some cartoons on today. And, well, since it’s from Marvel Animation and originally announced as an animated series when it was set to air on BET (before being annexed due to the network’s demographic target changes), I think I’ll hereto label it a such. There’s just no way it can be flatly called a motion comic. That really does a disservice to Black Panther.

Synopsis:
Deep in the heart of Africa lies Wakanda, an advanced and unconquerable civilization. A family of warrior-kings possessing superior speed, strength and agility has governed this mysterious nation as long as time itself. The latest in this famed line is young King T’Challa, the great hero known worldwide as the Black Panther. Now outsiders once again threaten to invade and plunder Wakanda. Leading this brutal assault is Klaw, a deadly assassin with the blood of T’Challa’s murdered father on his hands, who brings with him an army of superpowered mercenaries. Even with Wakanda’s might and his own superhuman skills, can the Black Panther prevail against this deadly invading force? From respected filmmaker/producer Reginald Hudlin and legendary comic book artist John Romita Jr., comes the epic Black Panther story for which comic fans have waited 25 years. Starring Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou (Gladiator,Blood Diamond and Alfre Woodard (True Blood, Star Trek: First Contact).

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Now, don’t get the wrong impression that this animated series is something on par with the likes of Batman: The Animated Series or The Spectacular Spider-Man. It’s not. Far from it, actually. But, regardless of the quality, I find that the treatment bestowed upon Black Panther wasn’t exactly fair. I just wish the actual final product could support that just a little bit. Being ditched by BET due a demographic focus change, then axed from the legal digital downloads after three episodes? This show was not treated kindly and deserved better. Not in just how it was treated but its actual execution, as well. I like the animation style used, how the comic book is brought to life. However, the story? Well…ah…the story isn’t all that it could be, to be honest.

And that’s a shame given the wealth of talent involved here. The cast is high-class and top-notch, the artwork is splendid and even the writer is renowned for doing some great work. But here, Reginald Hudland, who wrote both the original comic book source material and this animated adaptation, instead creates a repetitive and bland story that fails in its mission to bring the Black Panther into the modern age. All the potential seems just wasted here, and becomes increasingly disappointing when you look at the amazing talent that’s involved. Hudland is a self-confessed die-hard fan of the Black Panther, and there’s no fault there as T’Challa is an awesome Marvel character, but it’s surprising that his love of the character doesn’t carry over to his script.

The story is a basic exploration of the Black Panther and his homeland of Wakanda. However, Hudlin tosses in a fair share of new additions to the back story, expanding on the character’s original 1960’s origin. For the most part the changes aren’t really detrimental to the character. T’Challa has relatives who are jealous that he is the Black Panther, something we hear repeatedly through the six included episodes. And while the major technological advancements of Wakanda are common place in the comics, Hudlin has upped those advancements a bit, including cures for many diseases and electronic capabilities that far outweigh what we have today in the world. Hudlin has embellished all this from the original story and it’s not too much of a detraction from the character’s origin, but it does seem flat-out silly at times. Sure, it establishes why everyone basically wants to invade Wakanda (repeatedly, I might add), but it does add for some unnecessary complications. And what’s with characters from the 1800s using modern dialogue? Hunh?

There are other problems to be sure. The pacing seems mighty slow for the animated series, taking roughly three episodes before plot lines and stories start to come together and form a cohesive narrative. And even then, the pay-off is a bit of a letdown. The big climactic event that wraps up this six-episode series feels mighty underwhelming.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there is some good stuff to be found here. Again, the voice cast here is pretty astounding, with nary a fault to be found. Everyone, even Stan Lee hilariously cast a bigot military officer, seems to be pitch-perfect for their respective roles. Ad hey, how can you not love that awesome theme music? Even the animation, which takes artwork from the actual comics and “animates” them, is pretty sharp. Sure, it’s no more than an upgrade from the old 1960s Marvel cartoons that did the exact same thing, but the animation here actually looks pretty sharp. Sure, it definitely feels like a “motion comic,” as this reelase is now billed, but it feels more loose and more “animated” than the current motion comics available. Hell, it’s more animated than most cartoons out there nowadays.

That being said, the overall quality is disappointing, especially when there is only really one weak link in the chain. However, that weak link plays a mighty huge role in the series and it just kind of…ruins everything else here. Black Panther houses so much potential, and its treatment has been pretty abhorrent, but I’m sure there’d be more outrage if the final product was actually…better. There’s so much good going for this animated title, the voice talent and the animation style, it’s a shame to see it tainted by the flawed work of Hudlin. Hudlin is a talented guy, don’t get me wrong, but he took a bit of a misstep here and the result is…not pretty. Black Panther is worth no more than a Rental as I can’t see anyone wanting to watch this release again and again. Maybe for the great visuals, I suppose…

The DVD:

Bonus content is light for this release. On the disc, inside a nicely package cardboard digipack resembling a graphic novel, bonus content includes an interview with Reginald Hudlin on his affinity for the Black Panther character and his work on the series. Mostly fluff, to be honest, but it does provide a snapshot on how this series started and evolved into its final product. Outside of that we get a trailer and a music video and…that’s it. No more than 20 minutes of bonus content when it’s all said and done.

The audio and video quality is pretty standard,though not without flaws. The audio is crystal clear for the most part, though sound effects during the more action-oriented sequences can sound pretty muted. Additionally, the video features a few compression issues with some occasional color bleed. Nothing major but noticeable from time to time. A fine transfer I suppose, though could be better.

And I guess that’s an overall theme for the entire release, including the main feature and the DVD itself – could be better (the packaging is top-notch, though). It’s a slight DVD release, with only a teeny bit of extra material that doesn’t really flesh out the final product. Based on everything that happened behind-the-scenes in getting this series released, there’s plenty of untapped potential for content. However, what we get here is a nice, positive, fluffy take on what the creation of the series and…that will have to do. The audio and video is standard and, overall, it’s a pretty basic release for Black Panther. Still, given the quality of the main feature and lightness of the bonus content, I can’t recommend this release for anything more than a simple Rental, even if you’re a huge Black Panther fan.

More images from the Black Panther release can be found at Marvel Animation Age.

Black Panther is now available on DVD from Shout! Factory.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is one of those movies that is in…well…it is in a bit of a rare situation. The Twilight franchise is loved by teenage girls the world over, but reviled by boys. Many are begrudgingly dragged to see each of these films, sitting through what feels like an eternity of ab shots and absurdly stylish hair. The rare few dragged in see the films for what they are, fantasy escapism on par with those old romance novels, but for the younger set. At least that is what you could easily classify the first two films in the franchise as. To my complete and utter shock, this third movie – Eclipse – is something a little different. It has a bit of an edge to it, something we can thank director David Slade for, which actually nicely elevates it over previous franchise installments. 

Synopsis:
In “Eclipse,” Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life.

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Before I continue, don’t get the impression that this film is on par with the likes of the Harry Potter franchise. It’s not….not even close. Many of the same problems remain, which I’ll touch upon later, but Slade manages to nicely balance the teenage melodrama and monster madness quite nicely. Yes, the emphasis is still on the love triangle between Bella (the girl), Jacob (the wolf) and Edward (the vampire), but it’s handled in a way that it feels more natural in context of the entire movie. As bizarre as this may sound, Slade makes you actually…care about what “team” you’re on here, and he does that by making sure the monster aspects to the story isn’t brushed aside. In addition, he actually makes the three main characters seem like…actual characters. Not just caricatures or vessels, but actual characters forced to make some heavy life choices.

Still, we do get some ridiculous moments to balance out the above. There still seems to be an extraordinary amount of shirtless-ness on Jacob’s behalf, and snuggling with Bella, mostly for what seem to be ludicrous reasons but, again, this is a movie with sparkling vampires and ridiculously hunky werewolves. It can induce some major eye-rolling, but it’s worth it for the excellent climactic battle scene at the end of the flick.

Suffice it to say, many of the same problems do remain from the previous movies. There’s some really rough dialogue, lots of repetition, and the plotting sometimes seems a bit…trite…, but some of that seems forgivable with Slade’s guidance. He makes some of the tough choices that need to be made feel palpable and real, that they are something actually tangible instead of vague, lifeless words. The character of Bella came off as just an empty vessel in the previous installments, but not so much here. Keep in mind that I wasn’t a fan of the first two installments, nor do I find the books all that engaging, but that changed here. I even think this movie is easy accessible to those new to the franchise. In all honesty, you didn’t miss much in the first two movies as things truly get interesting here in Eclipse, since Bella is basically forced to move her character forward.

And Bella needing to make her choice feels like a nice resolution after what can be perceived as three long films. It feels like we’re finally getting some pay-off that not only wraps up a couple plot lines here and there, but naturally leads toward the next installment of the story (titled Breaking Dawn).

What also helps sell the movie is that the entire cast seems to be enjoying themselves a bit more. After meandering around for the past two movies, the overall plot seems to be pushing ahead. Characters need to make decisions and complications arise. Sure, this is all wrapped up in a world of vampires and werewolves and such, but at least here that doesn’t seem to be as much of a crutch as in the previous movies. Instead, the film focuses on conflict and consequence, and it works. Yeah, the acting is still pretty middle-of-the-road and such, but it feels as though the actors are more involved in what happens, that things are finally getting interesting (and in all honesty…things finally are). Main stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner don’t really bring anything new to the table, but at least it looks like they’re have a good time. In fact, it seems like everyone – even the somewhat over-the-top villains – are in on the fun.

It likely won’t win any notable awards, but this installment is a major step up in quality from the previous flicks. Plus, for those who aren’t exactly the target demographic, this movie it actually tolerable and admittedly watchable. It’s a good movie, plain and simple. Nothing outstanding for us outside the film’s desired audience, but I also wouldn’t change the channel or switch the disc if I came across it on the television. The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is still very much a teenage love drama, although now all of that is nicely balanced with some genuine tension and well-done action sequences. Recommended.

The DVD:

Summit Entertainment (E1 Entertainment in Canada) has released The Twilight Saga: Eclipse in a host of different formats, in both high-definition Blu-ray and standard definition DVD. Here we have the Two-Disc Special Edition DVD release, easily the most popular edition of the movie.

On the audio/video front, Summit Entertainment knew they couldn’t risk bungling this up and, thankfully, they manage to pull off a real solid presentation for the movie. The film’s grey color scheme comes off well, giving everything a dark and almost sinister texture to it. The blacks aren’t as dark as they should be, but it’s no problem as the film’s color palette is reproduced nicely here. The audio is clean and crisp, never wavering as the film bounces from it’s moody score to major battles to quiet, contemplative moments. All are executed well here, with no complaints.

The accolades continue on the bonus feature front with The Twilight Saga: Eclipse getting a nice rundown of bonus feature content on this nifty two-disc set.

First up are two feature-length commentaries, one done by actors Pattison and Stewart, the other by author Stephanie Meyer producer Wyck Godfrey. The Pattison/Stewart affair is pretty light, the two occasionally droping interesting bits of information between giggle fits. The Meyer/Godfrey track is much more detailed, with both discussing themes of the book, thoughts on the adapting from page to screen and the like. Definitely a more interesting track and worth a listen.

Moving on, next up is a nearly 90-minute documentary made up of a series of featurettes covering different aspects of the film’s creation. Most of it is fairly light EPK material, but there’s an extreme wealth of behind the-scenes breakdowns, like a look at the stunts and props, the directing, etc. Stick through the the light material and you’ll definitely enjoy how in-depth these featurettes can get concerning the film’s production.

The two-disc set is then rounded off with some deleted/extended scenes, which don’t really add anything and deserved to remain on the cutting room floor, a photo gallery, the ability to view only the Edward or Jacob scenes from the movie, and some music videos. No theatrical trailers, disappointingly. A fair collection of extras I must admit, no doubt to the pleasure of many Twi-hard fans.

To wrap up, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse isn’t the horrible movie that many detractors have made it out to be. It’s nothing special, true, but it’s a definite a step-up from the previous installments in the Twilight franchise. And for those who do not have the capabilities to watch Blu-ray, the Two-Disc Special Edition DVD release of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is the way to go. However, pick up the Blu-ray edition if you can for its superior quality. Recommended.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse is now available to own on Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, Two-Disc Special Edition DVD and a Movie-Only One-Disc DVD release.