- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 66,798
- Real Name
- Ronald Epstein
What can I say? I love 3D! From the moment I began watching 3D content in my home I quickly discovered that I needed more content. I suspect that those of you just purchasing your first 3D hardware will acquire the same ferocious appetite. That's why I became the HTF 3D ADDICT. I personally love images that pop off the screen and come inches away from your face without becoming overly gimmicky. However, I certainly appreciate the nature documentaries that offer beautiful depth and separation. These are not necessarily reviews of the film themselves. I am not going to concentrate on story or supplements -- you can find the 2D reviews elsewhere on this forum. My job is to let you know exactly what kind of 3D experience to expect from the titles that are being released. As I will be receiving a handful of new product from the studios expect to see more title coverage.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
Studio: DreamWorks
Product Release: September 6, 2011
Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: 7.1 Dolby True HD; French, Spanish & Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital
Running Time: 98 Minutes
Rating: PG
ON A SCALE 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 4
3D Separation: 3
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 3
"We're Vikings. It's an occupational Hazard"
I don't think anyone has ever been a fan of Blu-ray exclusives that
are tied to sales of hardware, particularly when popular titles are
prevented from being available to a wide range of consumers who
are trying to be "woo'd" on the new 3D format.
Yet, in August 2011, Samsung announced that How To Train Your
Dragon would become one of a few titles exclusive to their display's
sale and 3D startup kit. For that reason, I have been patiently sitting
out on this title hoping it would soon be made available to the general public.
You can imagine how happy I was to see Best Buy announce this and other
exclusive Samsung titles for store availability starting September 6, 2011
at a sale price of $29.95.
Right at the top of this review, I have to say that How To Train Your
Dragon was well worth the wait. While I don't feel it's nearly the best
3D title that has come to market, I am very proud of the efforts of
DreamWorks animation. After all, the studio hasn't really been known
to put out stellar animated product, often being bested by their rivals
over at Pixar. However, How To Train Your Dragon wildly succeeds
on its combination of animation, humor, story and pure exhilaration.
As the film opens, we meet Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel), a scrawny
but skillful young viking who lives in the tiny town of Berk that seems
to have become the stomping ground for dragons. The elder vikings
spend their lives training to fight these fierce creatures. Hiccup longs
to be a dragon-killing warrior himself, dreaming of capturing the
infamous behemoth known as "Night Fury," but despite all his attempts
to do so, his plans backfire and he quickly becomes the target of mockery.
It isn't until Hiccup happens upon the very creature he hoped to slaughter,
that he realizes that killing is just not something he was meant to do. In
fact, by showing the dragon a bit of kindness, Hiccup realizes that perhaps
these creatures are not what the Vikings have made them out to be, and that
he has the ability to tame these dragons. But how to convince the town's
brawniest warrior, Stoik (voiced by Gerard Butler), that dragons are harmless ---
especially when the vanquisher is your own father who has the highest of
expectations that his son will follow in his own footsteps.
How To Train Your Dragon is a kind, pleasantly pleasing film that establishes
a warm relationship between a boy and his dragon. Thankfully, the animators
decided not to make these talking creatures for there is a wonderful sense
of silent emotional interaction between the two main characters that invoke
real charm. Fortunately, the film also boasts some eye-popping action sequences
that actually make some if feel like a thrill ride.
DreamWorks has delivered an immaculate transfer for its Blu-ray presentation.
There is an unequaled level of clarity here. For instance, take a look at the features
within each of the film's characters. What particularly comes to mind is Stoik's
heavy red beard which comes across with an incredible amount of detail. Sadly,
a lot of that detail gets lost in many dark sequences, so it isn't until we are treated
to well-lit day scenes that one really marvels at the crispness of this transfer. You
can't help but gaze upon the beautifully animated scenes of Night Fury learning how
to fly, cascading above the clouds and the gorgeous landscape below. A lot of care
was obviously put into making this film a first-class animated effort.
The film's imagery is enhanced by vivid coloration. Everything looks nicely
saturated.
As for the 3D itself, I think it's going to greatly satisfy those who enjoy a more
subtle effect rather than those like myself that like more gimmicky effects.
Certainly, the film has been animated so that there is proper spacing and depth
present. One of the most notable examples is in the forest sequences where
trees and low-lying branches are placed in front of the animation beneath it.
The flying sequences also show a great deal of depth between sky and landscape.
The big problem I found here is that there is a lot of scenes that take place in
the darkness of night, lit only by fire, which not only subdues the 3D effect, but
introduces a noticeable amount of ghosting. In fact, ghosting tends to be a real
problem with this disc at times, particularly in the edge of facial features and
even props such as swords. In fact, being that ghosting was more prevalent
than normal I am wondering if this simply a result of this being one of the original
early 3D transfers like Monsters vs. Aliens which similarly suffered from an abnormal
amount of crosstalk.
Is there a credible amount of "In Yo' Face" 3D gimmickry here? Not really.
Again, I use the word "subtle" to describe the overall effect. Instead of objects
leaping towards the audience, they poke. Things like fingers, chins, a hook on
the end of an arm and fire embers seem to nudge its way forward. The flying
sequences -- particularly the battle at the film's close -- definitely looks more
enhanced with the amount of depth the 3D format provides.
Presented on this Blu-ray is a spectacular 7.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack which
was downcoverted to 5.1 on my system. I found myself completely absorbed
by this demo-quality soundscape that attacked the senses from every direction.
The film's dialogue sits squarely in the center channel, while subtle sounds of
the film's countryside emanate from the left and right channels. The surrounds
seem to handle most of the work here, carrying the film's impressive array of
sound effects. Everything is perfectly balanced so that one channel never
overpowers the other. Sit yourself in the sweet spot of your home theater and be
prepared to be immersed in flyovers that move across channels and are accented
with a booming amount of LFE support.
How To Train Your Dragon arrives packaged as a Blu-ray 3D + DVD combo.
The only extras on the 3D disc is the film's trailer. However, on the DVD disc
you get Special Features that include a look at the actors voicing the film's
characters; A look at the animation process with the animators themselves;
Filmmakers' Commentary.
CONCLUSION
How To Train Your Dragon ranks among the very best animated feature
films over the past few years, and is certainly a breath of freshness from
a studio that has been churning out mediocre animated product.
While the 3D is about average, it absolutely enhances the 2D experience
so I would not hesitate to recommend this as an upgrade to those who
already bought the standard Blu-ray release. As of the posting date of
this review, the 3D Blu-ray is only available as a Best Buy exclusive.
This is perhaps the most fun you and your family will spend together in
in front of your display, so don't hesitate to make that experience happen.
Great fun!
Images are for illustrative purpose only not representative of the picture quality of this disc.
Equipment
LG 60PX950 THX Certified 3D display
Oppo BDP-93 3D Blu-ray Player
Denon 3311CI Receiver
Atlantic Technology H-PAS AT-1 fronts, 4400 center; 4200 rear speakers
SV Sound Subwoofer
