BLU-RAY REVIEW

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3D

Featured In Issue 192, December 2014

3D Picture5
Picture5
Sound5
WSR Score4.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Paramount Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$$24.99
(Disc Type):
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
101
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
(Regional Coding):
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
12/16/2014
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Jonathan Liebesman
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the humorous reimagining of the legendary heroes in a half shell. New York is under attack by the sinister Shredder, but fearless leader Leonardo, brilliant and brainy Donatello, rough and rebellious Raphael, and wild and crazy Michelangelo take to the streets to defend their home with the help of intrepid reporter April O'Neil (Fox) and their brilliant Sensei, Splinter. (Gary Reber)

Special features include five featurettes: Digital Reality (HD 17:56), In Your Face! The Turtles In 3D (HD 04:23), It Ain't Easy Being Green (HD 06:47), Evolutionary Mash-Up (HD 14:59), and Turtle Rock (HD 05:37); an extended ending (HD 0:46); the “Shell Shocked" music video (HD 03:27); Making of "Shell Shocked" (HD 01:31), and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.36:1 1080p MVC 3D picture is eye-popping terrific! It was filmed digitally with the Arri Alexa Plus camera system in Panavision and represents the latest in stereo conversion technology by Stereo D and Prime Focus View-D. The color palette is wonderfully saturated with strong, richly vibrant hues that pop. The imagery is dynamically contrasted with bright highlights against extremely deep blacks. Such contrasts produce an ultra-stylized picture that is visually exciting and compelling. Though black levels are deep, shadow delineation reveals good shadow detail, including the shadowy figures that move through the night scenes. Fleshtones are healthy throughout, with a push toward red, depending on the lighting treatment. Strong hues heighten such contrasts. Resolution is excellent as well, with fine detail revealed in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture, and especially in the visual definition of the ninja turtles and master rat. But most amazing is the 3D treatment, which is exceptionally strong throughout. The sense of depth and perspective, as well as scale is first rate. Out-of-screen visuals are effective and enhance the visual fun the 3D cinematography creates. This is truly a reference-quality 3D presentation that delivers an exciting 3D dimensional picture that is engagingly thrilling. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is a powerhouse of adrenalin-pumping excitement. Dynamic range is wide, and fidelity is excellent. Surround immersion enhances the sense of spatial dimensionality throughout the holosonic® soundfield. The added Atmos channels subtly enhance the immersive presence of height. Atmospherics and sound effects effectively set sonic and dimensional stage for the soundtrack, and Foley effects enhance the realism. During the one-on-one ninja fight scenes the sound of steel blades further intensifies the action. Gunfire ricochets in each channel heightened with strong bass energy. Nuanced sounds nicely contrast with the intense action sequences. Deep bass extends to sub-25 Hz frequencies in the .1 LFE channel, which heightens the dynamic impact. Dialogue remains clear and intelligible throughout with decent spatial integration. The music score is also intense throughout with a mixture of orchestral, rock, hip hop, and rap that fills the soundfield. This is an impressive sonic experience that produces an almost non-stop stress alert, especially in the bass department, for the best home theatre systems.