STACK July 2016 Issue 141

48 / 104

visit BLU-RAY NEWS
48 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 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
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.
The recent release of the three
sequels to Jaws allowed
collectors to finally own the
set in High-Def, although
only completists would
bother with the risible
Jaws: The Revenge. But
it's there if you
want it. The pick
of the bunch is Jaws 2,
which features a rich,
colourful transfer and all
the extras from the prior
DVD release, including
some worthwhile deleted
scenes. It looks great; just
don't go in expecting the same kind
of high quality restoration that was
lavished on the original for its Blu-ray
debut. Jaws 3 is also worth picking
up for those with 3D TVs. Produced
during the 3D revival
of the early eighties,
when the format was
less about depth of
image and more about
hurling things at the
audience, Jaws
3 makes up in
comin' at ya effects what it
lacks in all other departments
(script, performances, a
believable shark, et al). And
the 3D Blu-ray version is
surprisingly terrific and a lot
of fun, faithfully replicating
the cinema experience. Moreover,
it looks better and plays less cheesy
in its intended 3D version, although
nothing can make that awful shot of
the shark smashing the observation
window look good.
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, the London Abbey
Road photoshoot, and of course the
Sydney Harbour Bridge visit – plus
extra featurettes.
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 five Blu-ray
editions to choose from. Five!
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.
And a Limited Edition
64-page Digibook with
Lenticular Cover will
also be available.
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: Scott Hocking