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Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

5K views 23 replies 13 participants last post by  NoPotatoNacho 
#1 ·


The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )

Film:


Extras:


Audio/3D Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )
92





Studio and Year: 20th Century Fox - 2012
MPAA Rating: PG
Feature running time: 88 minutes
Genre: Family

Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: MVC/AVC
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio, English/French/Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Starring: Ray Romano, Queen Latifah, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Keke Palmer, Jennifer Lopez, Peter Dinklage
Directed by: Steve Martino & Michael Thurmeier
Music by: John Powell
Written by: Michael Berg & Jason Fuchs
Region Code: A

Blu-ray Disc release Date: December 11, 2012
"Nothing’s going to stand in our way"


Film Synopsis:


Manny (Ray Romano), Sid (John Leguizamo) and Diego (Denis Leary) go where no herd has gone before - on a high-seas quest aboard a floating iceberg. But a menagerie of misfit pirates are determined to shiver their timbers and capsize their journey home.

My Take:

Ice Age Continental Drift opens to find sub-zero heroes Manny, Diego and Sid still enjoying life two million years ago. Manny and wife Ellie are dealing with teenage daughter Peaches who has aspirations to fit in with the local teen crowd, who Manny doesn’t approve of. Sid the Sloth, has family problems very different from Manny’s. His long-lost clan – including his mom, dad, brother, and hygiene-challenged Uncle Fungus – have suddenly re-entered his life, and they have Sid’s aged Granny in tow. But the visiting Sloths have an agenda that makes the family reunion short-lived. Diego is still Diego and takes life and its experiences one day at a time.


When Scrat's acorn antics causes a cataclysmic crack-up, Manny, Diego, Sid and an unexpected stowaway are cast adrift from the rest of the herd, including Manny’s beloved family. While trying to find a way home they are captured by a band of pirates, led by the fearsome orangutan Captain Gutt, (voiced by Peter Dinklage). Captain Gutt is a self-styled king of the ocean and pirate of all pirates, that enjoys being a brigand and living by the strict code of the sea. Gutt and Manny don’t see eye to eye as he and his ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates seek to prevent the guys from returning home. Among Gutt’s band of swashbucklers is first mate Shira (voiced by Jennifer Lopez) a female saber-toothed that presents a challenge for Diego, in more ways than one.


Meanwhile back home the cataclysm begun by Scrat continues to shake things up at everyone seeks to escape the perilous land shifts. Manny, Diego and Sid only get one shot at escaping their captors and it will take a little luck and the help of some new found friends.

Ice Age Continental Drift like previous films in the series features a solid cast, familial themes and an elementary plot that strikes the right chords. There are new characters, excellent production elements and charming moments but there is nothing here that we haven’t seen. Like it predecessors, it keeps things simple and builds upon the already established connection we have with its characters. I find the first film to be the best however I suspect that those that enjoyed Ice Age 2: The Meltdown and Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs will appreciate this as well.


Parental Guide:


The rating is for mild rude humor. Action and peril.



AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**




Audio: 92

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

  • Dynamics:

  • Low frequency extension:

  • Surround Sound presentation:

  • Clarity/Detail:

  • Dialogue Reproduction:



3D Presentation: 92

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

  • Depth (Onscreen):

  • Dimension (Beyond the screen):

  • Realism:

  • Clarity/Detail:

  • Color reproduction:


Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D comes to Blu-ray Disc from 20th Century Fox featuring 1080p MVC encoded video and lossless DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 4.6 Mbps.


Ice Age: Continental Drift is a native 3D film that positively translates to Blu-ray via this sparkling high definition presentation. Detail is well preserved as the image retains its high level of clarity as objects within the frame are delineated and sharp. Depth is appreciable as evidenced by the notable separation of objects and or characters within the frame which serves to create a discerning sense of virtual space occupied by things of various sizes and shapes. There are a variety of sequences that provide a fun reach out and touch sense of dimensionality. Captain Gutt’s introductory music number is a great example. Comparing color reproduction to the 2D presentation I saw no discernible difference. The rendering of detail, contrast and black levels is similar with both looking equally good. Ghosting/crosstalk was only noticeable in one or two instances against bright backgrounds and may be missed unless you’re looking for it. Ice Age: Continental Drift makes for an entertaining 3D film experience.


The DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack makes for a rewarding home theater experience. This is a fairly active sound design that truly benefits from the higher resolution that lossless audio offers. Dynamics are noteworthy as the elements contained within the recording have definitive energy and potent impact. John Powell’s music score plays an integral role in this presentation and the entire surround platform is used to present the instrumental performance. Dialogue is crystalline with appreciable tonal inflection and non sibilant vocal character. The auditory is rich in clarity and detail which allows the subtle environmental sounds in the recording to easily be heard. The mix creates an immersive surround sound experience that achieves excellent balance which correlates nicely with the events transpiring onscreen. Low frequency effects are authoritative and tight and frequently engage the room with palpable low level bass. This isn’t an aggressive surround sound mix but it is an articulate one that makes for an involving listening experience that will give your audio system a workout.


2D Video Quality:

Video: 94

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

  • Resolution/Clarity:

  • Black level/Shadow detail:

  • Color reproduction:

  • Fleshtones:

  • Compression:


Ice age: Continental Drift comes to Blu-ray Disc from Fox featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 23 Mbps.


This is a pristine and reference quality high definition presentation from Fox. The video quality is visually arresting in its depiction of the film’s animated subjects. Detail and definition is impeccably rendered as images have a luminous and sparkling clarity that is appreciably dimensional. Fine degrees of subtle delineation and texture are clearly discernible. The attention to detail in the construction of the animated characters physical features as well as objects within each frame is superb. Colors are richly saturated, vibrant and beautifully rendered. Primaries are particularly vivid and exhibit visibly delineated stages that bring out subtle degrees of separation. Contrast is spot on as blacks are rich with deep highlights, whites and grays exhibit multi-layered depth and refined detail that give them excellent dimension.



Bonus Features:


  • Disc 1:

  • Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D Blu-ray


  • Disc 2:

  • Ice Age: Continental Drift 2D (plus bonus features)

  • Party with a pirate mode – Interactive in film experience

  • Sign along mode (with interpretation by hearing impaired actors)

  • (HD) Ice Age: The story so far – 9 minute overview of the film series

  • (HD) Missing links – 2 deleted sequences (Shell game & Dr. Granny)

  • (HD) Through a pirates spyglass (2 segments):
    1. Voices ahoy! – 11 minute featurette
    2. Capturing the crew – 14 minute featurette
  • (HD) Whale of a tale (3 segments):
    1. Drifts & rifts – 7 minute featurette
    2. Beasties – 8 minute featurette
    3. Myths – 8 minute featurette
  • (HD) Scrat got your tongue? – 7 minute short

  • (HD) The Scratist – 2 minute short

  • (HD) Shimmy shake music section – 4 tracks to get your groove on by

  • (HD) Theatrical trailers

  • (HD) BD-Live: Live Extras (Exclusive) Designing the Ice Age world

  • Bonus DVD

  • Digital Copy

  • Ultraviolet Digital Copy




Final Thoughts:

Ice age: Continental Drift is the fourth installment in the Ice age film series. It features the same lovable characters, along with a few new ones, in a mildly entertaining and typically heartwarming story that the whole family can enjoy. It comes to Blu-ray Disc from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in this three disc package that features top notch 3D and 2D high definition video presentations, engaging DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio surround sound and a fan friendly supplemental package that proves lots of fun. If you enjoy the other Ice age films this is easily worth checking out even if only for its technical merits on Blu-ray.












Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews





Reference Review System:



JVC DLA-RS55 3D Ready 1080p High Definition Front Projector

Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen

Onkyo PR-SC5508 THX Ultra 2 Audio/Video Processor

Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier

Oppo BDP-103 Universal Disc/3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Panasonic DMP-BDT310 3D capable Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray disc Player (HDMI Audio/Video)

System Controller: Apple iPad/iRule Pro HD Universal Remote Control

Canton "Ergo" Series speakers

Axiom Audio QS8 Quadpolar speakers

SV Sound PB-13 Ultra (Rosenut finish)

APC AV S15BLK Power Conditioner/Surge Protector

Wireworld, Better Cables (Silver Serpent) - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

Cool Components - CP-CP102 cooling package
 
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19
#2 ·
Great review Ralph


I remember when this was coming out in the theaters i wasn't to impressed with the previews, but my daughter was dying to see it, i took her to the theater and i having very low expecations walked out of the theater having thorough;y enjoyed the movie,


We decided to buy yrh 3D blu ray, and have recently watched it again, and i still got to say i am still enjoying th movie, its not as good as the original, but im my opinion it is way better than the 3rd movie
 
#5 ·
Oh wow, are movies starting to go 2.4 for 3D? Most of my 3D movies are 1.78. I hope it doesn't go 2.4 otherwise the theater room I'm working on now is going to kind of stink. My mian theater room is a scope setup, but I was hoping to use my other projector for just gaming and 3D movies (1.78).
 
#6 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by elmalloc  /t/1445892/ice-age-continental-drift-3d-blu-ray-official-avsforum-review/0_20#post_22717788


Oh wow, are movies starting to go 2.4 for 3D? Most of my 3D movies are 1.78. I hope it doesn't go 2.4 otherwise the theater room I'm working on now is going to kind of stink. My mian theater room is a scope setup, but I was hoping to use my other projector for just gaming and 3D movies (1.78).

Greetings,


It depends on the film's aspect ratio. I have reviewed a number of 3D releases that aren't 1.78:1 AR.


Regards,
 
#7 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by elmalloc  /t/1445892/ice-age-continental-drift-3d-blu-ray-official-avsforum-review#post_22717788


Oh wow, are movies starting to go 2.4 for 3D? Most of my 3D movies are 1.78. I hope it doesn't go 2.4 otherwise the theater room I'm working on now is going to kind of stink. My mian theater room is a scope setup, but I was hoping to use my other projector for just gaming and 3D movies (1.78).

This is going depend on your situation. I personally want as many 2.4 or 2.35 3D films out there as possible as we have a 2.35 aspect screen. 3D films in this aspect are very enjoyable. However, a 2.4 movie on a 16x9 screen, not so great. The black bars on the top and bottom take away from the overall 3d effect.
 
#8 ·
Yes, I have a 14.5 ft scope setup being built, I love 2.4 also.


But for movies, Cameron tried to kick 3D off hard with 1.78 (avatar), saying that's what he thought AR should be used to be immersed. I have no doubt 2.4 3D is great.


My Sim2 cannot do 3D. I defintely watch a movie in 3D if it's available (vs 2D counterpart). I just made an assumption most 3D movies were 1.78 because Cameron's technology is littered through the industry.



Yes, 2.4 on 1.78 screen stinks.
 
#10 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rach  /t/1445892/ice-age-continental-drift-3d-blu-ray-official-avsforum-review/0_20#post_22722377


I know I'm in the minority but I thought the 2nd one was the best. I might have to check this one out for the 3D alone...and my kids will love it!

Greetings,


Sounds good Rach. If you do post back with your impressions.



Merry Christmas!



Regards,
 
#15 ·
Just tried to watch it in 3D and the previews were good but when the movie started it seemed really screwed up and my wife and 2 kids all complained about it not looking right as I also noticed. Was really messed up for some reason so we just put in the non 3d disc and watched it instead
Will have to try it again tomorrow to see if it's a disc problem or the player. But everything was fine up until the feature movie. :/
 
#17 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by wingnut4772  /t/1445892/ice-age-continental-drift-3d-blu-ray-official-avsforum-review#post_22757863


Yeah. I had friends over to see it and I was kinda embarrassed at the audio quality. I'll have to invite them back for a reference movie , lol.

Your going to have to watch the movie first before it can be shown to your friends. If its reference then by all means if not just deny owning it lol
 
#19 ·
Since this problem occurred specifically with this movie, I am going to post this here as well as I posted this in the Blu Ray Player forum. Have any of you experienced this problem with this Ice Age Continental Drift Blu Ray?


Equipment: LG LW5300 LED/3D TV with 3D Blu Ray Player bundle (not sure on model # of Blu Ray Player that came with system).


Watching our newly acquired Ice Age Continental Drift Blu Ray last night, we kept getting this annoying movie camera looking icon that would randomly appear for a few seconds in the upper right corner. From my research it appears this is something to do with multiple camera angles. However, I can find no mention of multiple camera angles as a feature on this Blu Ray, and there are no options for this in the movie's menu options. I then went into the LG Blu Ray player and TV options, and could find no such options to disable this icon either. I did find the multiple angle selection in one of the menus, however. At the end of the movie just as the credits were starting to roll, I paused the movie when the icon appeared, and went into the options menu. I noticed that in previous scenes the angle option was showing 1/1. But when the icon would appear it would show 1/2. If I pressed the #2 button on the remote it would change to a 2/2 in the menu option, but nothing changed on the picture in the movie. I contacted LG Chat Support, and they were not much help at their lowest tier level of support. She said she was going to escalate it to further tier support and they would get back with me. I just wanted to see if anyone on here has dealt with this same issue, and if there was anything that could be done about it.

We have watched a decent amount of Blu Ray movies with this player, and this is the first movie we have ever seen this problem.


Thanks.
 
#20 ·
Well after having our problems with the 3d bluray version of the movie we switched to the non 3d bluray and we did have those same things popping up on our screen as well. Very annoying and didn't know what to do about it. I got an LG 3D tv/bluray player bundle for Christmas 2011 from wal-mart. so far not happy with how this movie is performing on this tv/player whichever is to blame for the problems.
 
#22 ·
I'm not sure how to describe the problem. But the 3D is just waaayy off and doesn't look 3D but rather just really messed up and hurts your eyes/head very quickly and is completely unwatchable/unenjoyable. I tried it again just now to make sure it wasn't a fluke and it's the same. Everything is fine for the previews and the menu, but once the feature starts it's messed up...if I could try to describe it I would say it seems "jumpy".
 
#24 ·
You know, I seen this movie in the theater - it seemed more the same as the past few movies (there was a couple IA movies made for TV so maybe this is why this seems the same regurgitated... content).


Kinda ruined it when they tried to copy -- basically all the 90's sitcoms (the bad ones, there were a lot!) that throw useless, mundane humour about life (albeit with anthropomorphic animals that try too hard to be cute) into a 3D movie, and give it a high review... Not saying much for standards these days.
 
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