Hybrid 3D Blu-ray Review

The disc presents a (limited) theatrically correct 2.35:1 1080p 2D and 3D transfer and is Region locked to B.

Hybrid is yet another shoddy post production convert from the original 2D master and the results contain every issue associated with converts and a few new to me. Astonishes me that a film such as this would have a 3D convert, quite apart from its limited appeal and it’s awful production, it’s so dark that whatever 3D layering the makers were trying to achieve is pretty much lost in a sea of black. However, all is not lost, there are some scenes that show some decent effects; specifically the opening credits as the camera flies over the city – there is some nice depth given to the many tall buildings reaching into and out of the screen – the overhead shots of the cars show a decent solidity to the object above the road. Cars also have a sense of volume, i.e. there is a front middle and back, and, at times, they do appear to sit well within 3D space. Scenes of the creature being impaled as well as a bit of debris giving a little negative parallax also look reasonably decent. However, when it comes to people, despite a valiant effort, they still don’t look quite ‘solid’, there isn’t any real tangible distance between characters and layering to give depth is pretty much non-existent. As such any sense to ‘real’ depth is completely lost. I also spotted a strange effect in a couple of scenes where the post conversion literally skews the image in an attempt to develop depth; the image looks very weird and consequently flattens. The post conversion isn’t entirely to blame, because the lighting of the film does nothing for 3D, being set in near darkness there simply isn’t enough brightness to enhance the effect, thus any illusion quickly flattens out. Essentially this is one of the poorest examples of 3D I’ve come across.

The rest of the picture does not fair so well either. Detail is pretty good, skin, clothing and other textures have a reasonable sharpness to them; the general bric-a-brac of the office, the car interiors, the dirt and grime all show up well. There is precious little distance, though the closing credits show some decent enough edges way back.

Colour is very drab, nothing against the transfer, just a description of the pallet; nothing really shines off the screen, though the primaries are suitably solid with no hint of wash or bleed.

Contrast and brightness, unfortunately, waver throughout the run time; black can be deep and penetrating adding much to the depth with some decent enough shadow detail, but at other times it can transcend into a hideous grey which washes out any semblance of depth and colour. Also, despite the Red One cameras supposedly used on the shoot, there is, at times, a huge amount of noise in the dark areas which robs the picture of any detail and sharpness. These inconsistent blacks have a great deal to do with how poor this picture can occasionally be.

Digitally there were, at least, no compression problems, no DNR, or edge enhancement, nor were there any banding or posterization issues. Using passive technology I encountered crosstalk a couple of times, during the credits and lights in the background were the main culprits, though there were other instances that were never around for long, but were nevertheless noticeable. In all a pretty shoddy picture that does nothing for the format.

Only the one track to choose from: English dts-HD Master Audio 5.1. There is a reasonable amount of separation given to the track, with the surrounds piping in to add some decent ambience (tyre squeals and the like) when called for but it is more functional that it is enveloping. The score makes the best use of the surround field and you do get a sense of being in the centre of the action. Effects are somewhat limited, though the creature noises as well as engine roars give a nice feeling of depth. Bass is reasonable and holding everything well, again, the throaty engine noises get the best action, with the sub coming in to add some much needed oomph. Dialogue is clear and precise and never in any danger of being swamped, sounding natural and given the slightest directionality when called for. The track is ok, imparting its information with great efficiency and a few thrills along the way, nowhere near demo, and it won’t tax your system, but it’s nothing to sing and dance about.

• Trailer – That’s it.

Hybrid is a terrible film. Whilst I quite like the idea of a creature car and the opening sequence, the film rapidly descends into cliché ridden nonsensical ideas about a group of trapped mechanics trying to survive capturing the creature in their garage. There is no characterisation or identification with any of the players, and the whole idea gets stretched beyond any kind of reason. Add to this a total lack of tension, bad effects, pedestrian direction and 3D that fails to deliver and you have a right mess of a movie that fails on the most basic of premises – it does not entertain. It does nothing for the horror genre and certainly nothing for the 3D format. Best avoided.

As a 3D Blu-ray the package is just as lacklustre; the converted picture has very few standout moments and precious little ‘3D’ due to a combination of the dark setting and the post conversion process; whilst the sound ups the game a little there are no extras to speak of, making this a disc that I can’t see anyone wanting to own. If you absolutely have to see every 3D picture out there, rent, don’t by, this is one stinker of a movie.