- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 66,702
- 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.
MEGAMIND
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: 96 Minutes
Rating: PG
ON A SCALE 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 5
3D Separation: 5
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 4
The Most 3D Fun You Can Currently Buy!
Someone is going to hate me. Count on it. I am about to sit
here and give the most glowing review for what I feel is perhaps
the best 3D title currently available, and somebody is going to
buy it -- hate it, and me.
But you know what? I'm going to firmly stand my ground and
praise this remarkably clever animated film that is big on laughs
and looks incredible on 3D.
...but I am getting a wee bit ahead of myself here.
Megamind was another one of those titles that went directly
to Samsung as an exclusive in their 3D starter kit last March.
Fortunately, that exclusivity lasted only about 6 months as the
3D Blu-ray finally went on sale at every Best Buy starting on
September 6th.
The timing of this release and other exclusives through Best
Buy couldn't come at a better moment. For the most part, the
3D market has been a bit stale up until recently. It was time
that someone interjected some exciting new titles into the
marketplace to excite consumers into purchasing hardware.
With the release of Megamind, I think consumers finally have
something they can really put their 3D hardware to good use for.
In this Superhero Parody, Megamind (voiced by Will Farrell)
and his arch-enemy Metro Man (voiced by Brad Pitt) are sent to
Earth as babies as their home planets face immediate doom.
Metro Man lands himself in the hands of a loving family that gives
him all the proper care one would want from the world. Megamind,
on the other hand, lands in a prison and is raised by inmates.
You can kind of see where this is leading. Metroman becomes
a super "hero" filled with goodness, while Megamind turns villain.
As much as the two hate each other, their relationship becomes
one of necessity. For without one, the other has no purpose.
Aided by his trustworthy minion (voiced by David Cross), Megamind
launches a repeated cycle of failed kidnap attempts on female
reporter Roxie Richie (voiced by Tina Fey) to lure his opponent, until
one day, the plans actually work and finally rids the world of his
"goody-goody" rival.
With no more conflict in his life, and wanting to impress the
female reporter that has become his object of affection, Megamind
hatches a plan to create a new nemesis by transforming a nerdy
red-headed cameraman (Jonah Hill) into an über-SuperHero named
Titan. When things go out of whack, Megamind must find a way
to set things right before the city is completely destroyed.
Megamind plays out like a comic-book caper that gives homage
to one of my favorite superhero movies (think Marlon Brando).
Filled with terrific one-liners, Megamind is a wickedly funny movie
that had me laughing throughout. The action and humor seem
to come at a rapid pace, so the film never feels as if it runs out
of steam even when it becomes a bit heartfelt. Helping the film
move along is the surprising inclusion of old-school rock featuring
the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC and ELO.
One really needs to see this transfer to appreciate it. It's simply
impeccable. Though "razor sharp" is a term used quite often to
describe detail level, that term really comes into play here. The
colors in the film seem to be on steroids. It's very rare that I see
a powerful exhibition of eye-popping, vivid colors as I do here. You
can thank Blu-ray for providing a presentation that looks as slick
as this one, and none of it gets suppressed when you put on the
3D eyewear.
So, let's talk about the quality of 3D here. All of you should know
by now my personal preferences towards what makes a superior
3D presentation. I lean more towards "In Yo' Face" gimmickry over
something more subtle. So, imagine the delight I had watching a
film that made exceptional use of the format it was conceptualized
for. First of all, the film has a distinctive "cardboard cutout" look
to it. Secondly, the filmmakers made great use of different sized
objects to enhance the 3D effect. For instance, take a look at
Megamind floating in front of a JumboTron in one of the film's
earliest scenes. The effect is simply amazing, making the character
appear as if he is floating just outside the perimeters of the home
theater display. There is a similar sequence with a dangling spider,
who also seemingly hovers inches in front of the screen. In the
meantime, we are treated to all kinds of objects that poke themselves
towards us including kernels of pop corn, laser guns, fingers and
an antenna above a skyrise building. Even Megamind's flying
army of robots take their turn pointing their electronic eyes towards
the viewer. None of the lunging affects are as dramatic as I would
have liked them to be, but nonetheless, at least someone is still
trying to make 3D movies that give the viewer their money's worth.
By the way, there was the most minor of ghosting issues present
in this transfer, noticeably at one point where Megamind points his
black-gloved finger towards the audience. Other than that, I am
proud to say that this transfer is practically ghost-free.
The Blu-ray is presented with a 7.1 Dolby TrueHD track that is the
same as the theatrical Dolby Surround 7.1 mix. You can read more
about the designing of that mix here. Suffice to say, this is a very
engrossing sonic experience with surround activity that is endlessly
engaged while never drowning out the front channels or center vocals.
There is a real sense of directionality when it comes to the placement
of the film's effects. Most of the film's rock track comes through with
pounding clarity, such as George Thorogood's Bad To the Bone. Other
songs like ELO's Mr. Blue Sky seem to be purposely placed in the
background so it gets more lost in the mix. LFE activity is very
prominent as explosions and crumbling buildings managed to shake
the floor beneath my feet. This is a satisfying soundtrack that perfectly
envelopes the viewer as equally as the 3D presentation.
Megamind comes packaged as a Blu-ray combo with 3D and 2D
Blu-ray + DVD discs. The Blu-ray contains the film's trailer. The
DVD has added Special Features that include a featurette with the
voice cast; a deleted scene, filmmakers commentary and some
exciting scenes from past DreamWorks films that you can quickly access.
CONCLUSION
Megamind is the kind of film that's perfect for the entire family,
though I think it plays better for adults than kids. From start to
finish, the film is just terrific fun and it has immense repeat value
as I would bet many of you will use this as a demo disc for your
3D display.
For the longest time, Despicable Me has remained near the top
of my chart for the best 3D Blu-ray available for purchase. Today,
Megamind topples Despicable Me from that position. I am putting
the highest recommendation into the purchase of this film. As of
this date, it's the best 3D title that you can currently buy in the store,
just as long as it's Best Buy.
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
