MSRP: £14.99
Picture
The only good thing about this disc. Entertainemnt in Video have presented a theatrically correct 2.35:1 ratio anamorphically enhanced for widescreen TV's picture with an average bitrate of 3-5 Mbps. The CG film digital format really lends itself to DVD, the picture is clear and pin sharp. Colours are bright and clear and burst off the screen, even with the subdued palette that the film makers have chosen. Blacks are reassuringly deep with contrast and brightness levels correct. There is obviously no print damage or grain. Also, there are no compression problems, nor any edge enhancement; really quite excellent. The only thing lacking is the stupidly low bit rate, considering there is nothing else on the disc. Why not top marks? Well good as it is, it doesn't have that lustre seen with the other CG films of its ilk, see The Incredibles if you don't believe me.
Sound
Strangely there is only one audio track an English Dolby digital 2.0 surround track. This is obviously rather flat, the majority of the separation being at the front. Rears were used very infrequently but when they were the effect was ok. It was lacking in any substantial depth and bass, and oh so quiet, I had to really turn up the amp to gain any sort of feeling, thankfully there was no distortion or hiss to accompany it. According to play.com it should have a Dolby digital 5.1 track, hopefully this will be a vast improvement.
Extras
I found it impossible to find a list of any extras for this disc, and there were none on the review disc. A search for the German release of “Back to Gaya” shows extras including audio commentary by the directors, storyboard to film comparison, cast and crew interviews, three featurettes, trailers, DVD rom content and some other material that I can't translate. Whether or not any of this content appears on our release remains to be seen.
In the end there is little to recommend with this title. As a DVD it is shameless in is cheapness with lack of everything including a decent sound track. As a film the youngest viewers in the house may enjoy it, but I don't think it will stand up to too many repeat viewings. Perhaps best left as a rental disc, as the one I received.....
In the end there is little to recommend with this title. As a DVD it is shameless in is cheapness with lack of everything including a decent sound track. As a film the youngest viewers in the house may enjoy it, but I don't think it will stand up to too many repeat viewings. Perhaps best left as a rental disc, as the one I received.....
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