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1K views 0 replies 1 participant last post by  Ralph Potts 
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The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )

Film:


Extras:


Audio/Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )
82





Studio and Year: Warner - 2012
MPAA Rating: TV-MA
Feature running time: 23 minutes
Genre: Comedy

Disc Format: BD-25
Encoding: VC-1
Video Aspect: 1.78:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDF
Starring: Voices of: Seth Green, Neil Patrick Harris, Alfred Molina, Abraham Benrubi, Nathan Fillion, Megan Fox, Breckin Meyer, Alex Borstein
Directed by: Zeb Wells
Written by: Kevin Schinick
Region Code: A,B,C

Blu-ray Disc release Date: July 9, 2013
"Robot Chicken! It’s….a puppet show on basic cable"


Film Synopsis:


Robot Chicken and DC Comics collide - who will survive with their super-dignities intact? Nobody! In Robot Chicken's hands, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and even Mr. Banjo could end up dead or naked or both or neither!

My Take:

Robot Chicken DC Comics Specialis an episode of the television comedy series Robot Chicken and it was aired as a one-off special during Cartoon Network's Adult Swim on September 9, 2012. Prior to receiving the press release for this I had never heard of Robot Chicken or this special. For those like me that never have here is a little information taken from Wikipedia:

Robot Chicken is an American stop-motion animated comedy television series created and executive produced by Seth Green and Matthew Senreich along with co-head writers Douglas Goldstein and Tom Root. In addition, Seth Green provides many voices for the show. Senreich, Goldstein, and Root were former writers for the popular action figure hobbyist magazine ToyFare. The series first appeared as Sweet J Presents, produced for the Sony website Screenblast.com in 2001. The show was created, written, and produced by Green and Senreich. The show ended after 12 episodes and returned to Cartoon Network's Adult Swim in 2005 as Robot Chicken. The show focuses on mocking pop culture, referencing toys, movies, television, and popular fads, as well as more obscure references like anime cartoons and older television programs, much in the same vein as comedy sketch shows like Saturday Night Live.


Here are some details on this release:


This July, the Robot Chicken television series heads back to Blu-ray™ and DVD – and this time, the DC Comics universe is at the center of its Emmy® Award-winning stop-motion lampooning. Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, in partnership with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, continues to build its repertoire of dishing out hilarious sketch comedy parodies in the all-new Adult Swim Blu-ray and DVD release, Robot Chicken DC Comics Special. The special, which boasts an all-star cast as well as characters Robot Chicken fans have grown to love, provides a unique take on some of the most iconic superheroes from the DC Comics universe – along with others whose powers can’t really be called “super.”


So now that you have a little more perspective the question is will this be worth your time? I have to admit I honestly wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I requested this for review. It is essentially a series of themed sketches, using stop motion animation, revolving around members of the DC Comics Universe. I have to say that it is a hoot! I found myself chuckling aloud at the spoof laden antics such as Superman discovering a way to make better use of his ability to make someone forget with a single kiss (seen in Superman II), Batman’s incessant back problems stemming from nemesis Bane’s frequent interference, Green Lantern’s inappropriate behavior at a funeral, and Aquaman tiring of constantly being the butt of hazing/practical jokes by his fellow JLA comrades. Add to that an inside look at the troubles that beset members of the Legion of Doom and there is plenty of over the top humor and fun to be had especially if you’re a good natured DC Comics fan. Yeah it’s a little silly but the humor is sharp and the cast, animators and writing team do a great job. I will be taking a look at some of the other Robot Chicken entries and from what I gather they have plenty of laughs to offer as well.


Parental Guide:


The rating is for thematic material.



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: 78

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

  • Dynamics:

  • Low frequency extension:

  • Surround Sound presentation:

  • Clarity/Detail:

  • Dialogue Reproduction:




Video: 86

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

  • Resolution/Clarity:

  • Black level/Shadow detail:

  • Color reproduction:

  • Fleshtones:

  • Compression:


Robot Chicken DC Comics Special comes to Blu-ray Disc from Warner Home Video featuring 1080p VC-1 encoded video that has an average bitrate of 15 Mbps and lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 channel sound that has an average bitrate of 2.2 Mbps.


This is a gratifying video presentation that presents the show’s elements quite well. Colors are bright and visually pleasing with occasional moments of reserved saturation that prove less eye catching. Detail is noteworthy as the image appears sharp especially during the close up camera work associated with the stop motion animation. Contrast and black levels are stable with ample depth and perceptible delineation. I noticed some light digital noise but didn’t find it distracting.


The show relies heavily on dialogue however its array of sounds keep the listening environment busy. Vocal reproduction is clear, well intonated and prominently placed within the front soundstage. The front three speakers have an open and detailed delivery with good channel separation and discernible directional correlation during panning sequences. Surround activity is limited to splashes of ambience and some discretely placed effects that occasionally broadened the soundstage. I didn’t detect any noteworthy low frequency content although I never felt that the presentation was lacking dynamically.

Bonus Features:
• The Making of Robot Chicken DC Comics Special

• Robot Chicken DC Comics Special’s Aquaman Origin Story

• Chicken Nuggets

• Writers’ Commentary

• Actors’ Commentary

• DC Entertainment Tour

• Stoopid Alter Egos

• Outtakes

• Deleted Sketches

• 5.2 Questions



Final Thoughts:

Robot Chicken DC Comics Special is an episode of the television comedy series Robot Chicken and is an entertaining stop motion animation sketch comedy that spoofs on members of the DC Comics Universe. I had never heard of the Robot Chicken series prior to receiving this for review but plan on checking it out as I found this to be fun. Robot Chicken DC Comics Special comes to Blu-ray from Warner Home Video featuring gratifying high definition audio/video quality an a worthwhile supplemental package. If you’re a good natured DC Comics fan and can find this at the right price pick it up. It’s worth adding to your collection.












Ralph Potts
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews





Reference Review System:



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

(Calibrated with Calman 5 & C6 Meter from Spectracal )

Stewart Filmscreen - Studiotek 130 G3 100” 16x9 Screen

Marantz AV8801 11.2 Channel Audio/Video Processor

Sherbourn Technologies - 7/200 Seven Channel Amplifier

B&K Reference 200.7 Series 2 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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