Why So Blu?

Back To The Jurassic (Blu-ray Review)

When Jurassic Park came out back in 1993 we (at least here in the United States) got some big time dinosaur fever.  Open the door, get on the floor, everybody walk the dinosaur style.  Exhibits, educational adventures, books, movies, television was all focused on learning more about our prehistoric Earthly inhabitants.  This time around with the return in Jurassic World, I’m not really sure that’s the case.  However, it makes for the perfectly timed release of this little animated film Back To The Jurassic on Blu-ray.  I’m not sure if it came to theaters at all or if this is intended straight to video.  There really isn’t a whole lot of information available regarding it.  The film features the voice talents of Jane Lynch, Melanie Griffith, Rob Schneider and not just one but two Baldwins, Stephen and William.

Film 

Ernie, Julia and Max accidentally start a time-machine and find themselves back in time 65 million years.  They are adopted by a doting dinosaur mom and a rambunctious dinosaur brother while, back in the present day, their parents plot their rescue.

This film is straight up for the kiddos only.  If your child has you sit down to watch this with them, just know that I feel for you.  The film is a bit trite and follows a lot of conventional dumb kids movie devices that will have you bored and feeling like the runtime of this film is closer to four hours than just over 80 minutes.

Animation on the film is one thing that can help your attention, but this one has a bare minimal looking approach.  With it on Blu-ray too, the animation looks a bit on the cheap end as well, getting exposed in 1080p.  I know its supposed to look a bit more simple and friendly for the children, but this is a very light effort.

So, I’m not the target audience on this one for sure.  When it comes to these that I’m not the best to judge, I turn to my 3-year old son.  Well, he seemed to dig it for the most part, got occupied with other things for a while, then finished it out.  Afterward, he told me he liked it.  However, its been a few days and he’s not mentioned it or wanted to watch it again.  And usually he’ll try and wear out something he really likes.  Take from that what you will.  And once again, if you have to sit through this with your little one…my sympathies.

Video 

Please note: The disc also has the capabilities to view the film in 3D.  However, I do not have the equipment to view it in 3D so this review will be based on the 2D version.

Encoding: MPEG-4 AVC

Resolution: 1o80p

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Clarity/Detail:  The high definition video transfer really sort of exposes the cheapness of this computer animation.  Everything looks smooth and minuscule.  The image is sharp and clean, but nothing really pops out for as colorful as and friendly as it looks like the film is intending itself to be.  That said, the hair on the characters does look impressive.

Depth:  Rather on the flat side of things.  Character movements are smooth and natural.  Minimal blurring.

Black Levels: Blacks are deep and no real crushing seen at all.

Color Reproduction:  Colors should pop and make this transfer look gravy, but alas, they are very restrained and sort of muted as compared to what they really could have been.  A decent job, but looking at it you’d expect this to look a little more vibrant.

Flesh Tones: N/A

Noise/Artifacts: Clean

Audio 

Audio Format(s): English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

Dynamics: So, they can put this film out in 3D, but when it comes to audio we get a compressed Dolby Digital track?  Okay.  The track here is pretty average, having a moment or two that is decent.  The volume is rather lower, so you’ll need to turn it up.  Sounds are definitely distinct and there’s a solid balance between it, scoring and vocals.

Low Frequency Extension:  There is some light bumps in the night from your subwoofer, but it doesn’t get to really feel the potential the film has to offer.

Surround Sound Presentation:  Some light ambiance from the rear speakers, but nothing to really shine on.  Front speakers keep an accurate depiction of the events onscreen.

Dialogue Reproduction:  Dialogue is clean and clear.

Extras 

Back to the Jurassic comes with a DVD copy of the film.

There are no real supplemental features, only a couple previews for other films from this distributor.

Summary 

Not only was I not a fan of this movie,  I wasn’t really a fan of this disc either.  Maybe the 3D is otherworldly (I don’t know), but the 2D presentation is pretty unremarkable.  The bonus features are also nonexistent.  It may be weird and odd to say it, but Back To The Jurassic is a far cry from The Land Before Time in every way possible.