20th November 2008

This time around I am going to focus on two of this years Summer blockbusters on the Blu Ray format.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL.
Paramount Home Entertainment rrp £29.99 available now.

It’s been nineteen years since the previous Indiana Jones film – THE LAST CRUSADE – so has the extended wait been worth it? I’m afraid the answer is a resounding NO. This latest offering in the long-running series is a joyless, soul-less, heartless, passionless affair that after a fun opening couple of sequences descends into one of the most disappointing high profile sequels of all time. Spielberg at his most lacklustre seems to be directing on autopilot throughout and it is obvious that he was either afraid or unwilling to venture from the safety and confines of his CGI enhanced studio, which is especially evident during the protracted and never thrilling chase sequences. The film reaches its nadir when Indiana steps into a sandpit and has to use a snake to pull himself out… and that folks is the very best they could come up with.

The double disc Blu Ray set looks and sounds as spectacular as you would expect from such a major release but in spite of the initial excitement at the prospect of the double disc content, the expectation turns to disappointment as you realize that no commentary tracks or deleted scenes are included. Instead we are offered a host of behind the scenes making of documentaries – during which I’m afraid that no one ever apologizes for being involved in the production of this diabolical waste of time.

Save your money and wait for the inevitable BR releases of the original and infinitely superior trilogy.

HELLBOY 2 : THE GOLDEN ARMY.
Universal Pictures UK rrp £24.99 release date 8/12/08.

Everything I mentioned in the above review is 100% reversed in Guillermo del Toro’s second cinematic foray into the HELLBOY universe. THE GOLDEN ARMY is a stunningly beautiful, densely layered, richly textured fable for children of all ages. Combining excellent performances across the board and many moments of genuine emotion this is everything we have come to expect from one of the contemporary masters of the film medium.

The BR discs enhance the on-screen vision with an impeccable and highly detailed transfer both aurally and visually. This is backed up with a plethora of extras spread across two discs that submerge us in the making of the film. Del Toro takes us on a personal tour of the Troll Market set, the main documentary runs at over two and a half hours and we are offered an animated comic epilogue to the main feature amongst many other bonus offerings.

The only caveat would be that there will probably be an extended directors cut of the feature somewhere down the line as there was with the first HELLBOY movie. But that may not happen as the directors five year odyssey filming THE HOBBIT films is about to begin… and on the evidence shown here that particular project is in the very safest of hands.

Keep watching.

Paul.