STACK NZ July 2016 Issue 75

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10 JULY 2016
BLU-RAY
BATMAN v SUPERMAN ULTIMATE EDITION
Y ou may have noticed that bonus
features appear to be disappearing
from DVDs of late. Blu-ray is now
where it's at if you want audio commentaries,
deleted scenes, alternate endings, behind-the-
scenes featurettes and other goodies.
Moreover, many of the special and limited
editions released are not just exclusive to JB
Hi-Fi – they're exclusive to Blu-ray. It's not just
the High-Def image quality that makes the
format so desirable and collectable.
The release of Batman v Superman: Dawn
of Justice this month is a prime example of the
value added material you'll only find on Blu-ray.
Moviegoers and reviewers who criticised
the superhero showdown for being far too
busy and lacking narrative coherency – even
at 151 minutes – will find an extended cut
of the film on the Blu-ray edition, running
a whopping 182 minutes, that promises to
deliver a more satisfying experience.
Director Zack Snyder had already announced
that a longer "R-rated" cut was being prepped
for the home entertainment market while
the film was still in cinemas – referring to an
America R (the equivalent of an MA15+ here).
The extended version on the Ultimate Edition
retains an M-rating, with "coarse language"
added to the consumer advice, suggesting
BLU-RAY ROUND-UP
If you haven't already grabbed
a copy of Tarantino's The
Hateful Eight, don't wait too
much longer or you'll miss out on
JB's exclusive Limited Edition.
The disc is housed in a slipcase
featuring alternate artwork (which
to this eye is more
aesthetically pleasing
than the red cover
variant) and includes
a glossy 30-page
collector's booklet
with liner notes and
production insights from
Tarantino. Needless to
say the transfer looks
fantastic, preserving the 70mm
frame in the Ultra Panavision
widescreen ratio of 2.76 – just
don't watch it on a small screen.
Whatever you thought of Ben
Stiller's belated Zoolander sequel,
you can't fault the dedication to
bonus content on the Zoolander
2: Magnum Edition, which is
exclusive to JB while stocks last.
Like its namesake look, this set
is fully loaded with an exclusive
bonus disc that collects the
World Tour promotional
footage – which
includes a Paris Walk Off
with Cara Delevingne
and the London Abbey
Road photoshoot, plus
extra featurettes.
Don’t forget, too,
that the recent Blu-ray
edition of Deadpool
also comes fully loaded with
some great bonus features.
A 5-part documentary feature
covers all aspects of the
production in the same irreverent
tone as the film. The deleted
scenes clock in at 19 minutes and
include a significant sequence
that Miller (who provides an
optional commentary track) calls
the 'Cancer World Tour', in which
Wade takes a trip to Mexico in
search of a cure.
July’s reissue of
the month has to be
the 50th anniversary
edition of Star Trek II:
TheWrath of Khan.
Not only did The
Wrath of Khan officially
establish the 23rd
century as the period
the Enterprise was
launched on its voyages, it also
set the template for the high
stakes intergalactic action that
Trekkies have come to expect
from the film franchise, following
its rather inauspicious debut with
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
(1979).
Captain Kirk's enraged cry
of "Khaaaan!" surely ranks
as one of William Shatner's
finest moments, while Ricardo
Montalban delivered a career-
defining performance as
the genetically enhanced
villain of the title.
The digitally remastered
Blu-ray release of Star
Trek II will feature
both Nicholas Meyer's
Director's Cut and the
original theatrical version,
as well as an all-new
documentary covering the
making and legacy of this classic
Trek film. Specially illustrated
cover art will also set this Blu-ray
edition apart from previous Star
Trek releases.
the focus will be on storytelling additions –
and swearing! – rather than violence. Early
reports hint that the pacing has indeed been
improved, more attention given to the scenes
in Africa, some additional and extended action
sequences, extra Jimmy Olsen, and a glimpse
of Jena Malone's character (who doesn't
appear in the theatrical version). There's also a
rumour that the film will now feature a subtle
connection to the upcoming Suicide Squad,
further binding it to the expanding DC universe.
As well as the extended and theatrical cuts,
the Batman v Superman Blu-ray editions will
feature up to two hours of special features,
and JB customers will have the choice of
four Blu-ray editions to choose from.
There's a standard 2-disc version if you
just want the movie and extras, as well as a
3D option, but collectors are well catered for
with several more lavish editions. A Limited
Edition Steelbook and a Deluxe Edition, the
latter featuring a 144-page hardcover graphic
novel titled Batman vs Superman: The Greatest
Battles, are exclusive to JB Hi-Fi stores while
stocks last.
With all the new releases reviewed elsewhere in the magazine, this column will focus on all things Blu-related
– the bonus bits, the transfers, the deleted scenes, the limited edition JB exclusives, notable catalogue titles
that are new to Blu, and other exciting aspects of HD home entertainment. Words: John Ferguson