Sony Animation's first feature film, "Open Season" offers the voice talents of Martin Lawrence as Boog, a domesticated grizzly bear who is being raised by kindly Park Ranger Beth (Messing). After Boog saves Elliot (Kutcher), a one-antlered mule deer, from the hood of a hunter's truck, his world as he knows it is changed forever. From an original story by Steve Moore & John Carls. (Tricia Spears)
Special features are very much the same as on the DVD, except there is no DVD ROM material or up-front ads. There is also a 4-1/2 minute "Boog And Elliot's Midnight Bun Run" short that isn't on the DVD. All other features are the same: the 15-minute "Behind The Trees" featurette, the eight-minute "The Voices Behind The Stars" featurette, two deleted scenes, and the "I Wanna Lose Control (Uh Oh)" music video by Deathray. There is a "Surf's Up" section that includes an exclusive sneak peek, the theatrical teaser trailer, character production stills. "Inside The Animals Studio" contains commentaries with Mr. Weenie, Porcupine, and Maria The Skunk; and commentary with the filmmakers behind "Open Season." Under Activities you will find an interactive "Voice-A-Rama" game where you can give the characters different voices, the "Wheel Of Fortune: Forest Edition" game, a "Swept Away Scene Deconstruction" feature where you can change the viewing options of the dam-burst scene. "Ringtales" contains three short animated clips, and there are also three still galleries, previews, and up-front ads. Oh, and there are three hidden easter eggs. I found them all, can you?
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD exhibits well-rendered details and colors, but pixilation and edge enhancement can make a mess of some of the scenes. Depth is very impressive in nighttime scenes, but day scenes generally look rather flat. The Blu-ray Disc version improves on the depth of field immensely. Details are also much better resolved, with textures that look incredibly realistic. Individual hairs in fur and leaves on trees are resolved perfectly. Contrast is off, as whites seem to be slightly too bright, but this is a very good picture that kids are sure to love. (Danny Richelieu)
The Dolby® Digital 5.1-channel soundtrack is enjoyable, although the mix is rather basic. Voices are recorded and integrated well. Music is mixed using each of the available channels, including the LFE. The Blu-ray Disc's uncompressed linear PCM 5.1-channel encoding improves fidelity and dynamic range. Subtle atmospheric effects are easier to pick out in the uncompressed encoding, but both sound good in this respect. Still, the mix is not as engaging as it should be. (Danny Richelieu)