10,000 BC

10,000 BC" on Blu-ray presents a visually stunning journey back in time with its 1080p, 2.40:1 video transfer, delivering images that are both sharp and filled with detail. The film's visuals benefit immensely from the high-definition transfer, showcasing impressive depth and vibrant color saturation that make the lush landscapes and intricate costumes stand out. Particularly impressive are the bright, outdoor scenes where the crispness of the image brings out striking details such as the cracks on characters' lips and the detailed texture on bamboo armor. Flesh tones are rendered with precision, and the general color palette is appealing, with natural and realistic tones that enhance the visual experience.

However, not everything is perfect; the overall picture quality suffers mildly from less-than-ideal background details and occasional inconsistency in CGI quality, which can distract from the otherwise immersive experience. Despite these minor setbacks, the source material is pristine, with deep blacks and excellent contrast that enhance the visual depth of every scene. The sharpness of the image is commendable, avoiding edge enhancement while maintaining superb detail across both close-up shots and expansive wide shots. This level of detail is consistent throughout well-lit scenes, revealing every line and groove in wooden artifacts and the dried, flaking paint on characters' faces.

Though "10,000 BC" may not represent the pinnacle of Blu-ray transfers, it certainly offers a solid and visually pleasing viewing experience. The film's rich, earthy colors and striking landscapes are beautifully rendered, but it's the film's darkest sequences where some imperfections emerge, like visible film grain and less than perfect black levels. Nonetheless, these are minor issues in what is otherwise a commendable visual presentation.

The audio presentation of "10,000 BC" on Blu-ray, featuring a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless mix, delivers an immersive and dynamic experience, albeit with some reservations. The soundtrack shines in its ability to reproduce deep, forceful bass that gives life to the film's more thrilling sequences, such as the mammoth hunt, where the rumbling of the herd through the surround sound setup is palpable. The clarity and depth of the audio span across the spectrum, especially noteworthy in the reproduction of the film's score and ambient sounds, despite the composition’s quality being subjective. Dialogue, vital for any feature, is generally clear and well-balanced, emerging crisply even amidst the chaotic louder sequences, a testament to the mix's overall dynamic range.

However, while the soundtrack boasts several moments of audio brilliance, including adept use of rear channels for atmospheric sounds and directional effects that enhance immersion, it falls short in delivering a consistently engaging surround sound experience. The rears occasionally feel underutilized, missing opportunities to amplify the atmosphere with sustained ambient effects or to add depth to action sequences. This inconsistency slightly detracts from what could be a more enveloping and detailed sonic environment.

In terms of technical offerings, alongside the high-resolution Dolby TrueHD track, Warner Bros. provides standard Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround options and multiple subtitles, ensuring accessibility and versatility. Despite these strengths and its capacity to showcase the prowess of a fully-equipped home theatre system—thanks particularly to its robust bass and sound staging—the audio presentation of "10,000 BC" doesn't quite reach the pinnacle of auditory excellence found in some of its peers. Its achievements in sound design are commendable, though lacking the continuous engagement and meticulous polish reserved for the most exemplary of Blu-ray audio tracks.

The Blu-Ray extras for "10,000 BC" offer a modest but appreciable enhancement to the home viewing experience, though they might not push the boundaries of what enthusiasts expect from a film of this caliber. The highlight is certainly the inclusion of a digital copy, facilitating convenient viewing. The behind-the-scenes featurette, "A Wild and Wooly Ride," presents an intriguing glimpse into the making of the film's pivotal effects and sets, enriched by insights from cast and crew. "Inspiring an Epic" explores the historical inspirations behind the film, notably referencing Graham Hancock's "Fingerprints of the Gods" as a key influence, supplemented by sporadic interviews. Additionally, viewers are treated to an alternate ending and a series of deleted scenes, which, while not revolutionary in content, provide a fuller picture of the director's vision. Sadly, all extras are in 480p, which may disappoint those accustomed to high-definition supplements.

Extras included in this disc:

• Digital Copy: Included on the same disc.
• A Wild and Wooly Ride: Behind-the-scenes look at the film's effects and set pieces.
• Inspiring an Epic: Discussion on historical inspirations, including interviews with cast, crew, and Graham Hancock.
• Alternate Ending: A different conclusion to the film.
• Deleted Scenes: Nine scenes offering extended narratives and insights into cut content.

In the realm of cinematic presentation, "10,000 BC" presents a spectacle that both dazzles and confounds in equal measure. Directed by Roland Emmerich, known for his grand visual narratives, the film navigates through prehistoric times with a blend of mysticism and historical liberties that often border on the fantastical. Despite its ambitious set pieces and commendable special effects, the movie falls prey to a narrative that feels as ancient and worn as the era it represents. The central story arc, involving D'Leh's quest to rescue his love Evolet while fulfilling a destiny outlined by tribal prophecy, does little to innovate or captivate beyond visual merits.

Critically, "10,000 BC" does boast technical achievements. The practical and CGI effects are noteworthy, crafting a believable prehistoric world filled with mammoths and saber-toothed tigers that stand as a testament to the film's visual ambition. Furthermore, the score by Harald Kloser and Thomas Wanker adds aural depth to the cinematic journey, enveloping the audience in a world that is at once alien and familiar. However, these technical strengths cannot fully redeem the film from its storytelling shortcomings. The narrative feels derivative, echoing elements from a variety of better-established epics and adventure films. From the clichéd prophecy trope to predictable plot developments, "10,000 BC" struggles to carve out a unique identity amidst a sea of genre conventions.

Perhaps the film's most divisive aspect is its lack of originality and character depth. The characters, led by Steven Strait's D'Leh and Camilla Belle's Evolet, are thinly sketched, serving more as archetypes than fully realized individuals. This superficial character development hampers any emotional investment in their journey or outcome. Moreover, the film's attempt at drama often veers into unintentional camp, further undermining its credibility as a serious prehistoric epic. While "10,000 BC" may entertain those with an appetite for visual spectacle and undemanding narrative, it leaves much to be desired for cinephiles seeking substance over style.

The Blu-ray release of "10,000 BC" presents itself as a curious case of what could have been a cinematic milestone but ultimately falls short in execution, despite the high hopes pinned on its premise and the involvement of a director with a notable track record like Roland Emmerich. The film, set in a time ripe with potential for storytelling, misses its mark according to viewers and critics alike, yet it intriguingly finds a niche audience that revels in its camp appeal and the sheer audacity of its concept. This disparity in reception highlights a missed opportunity, where the ambition of its creators met with execution that failed to fully captivate the broader audience it aimed to enchant. Nevertheless, the presentation on Blu-ray offers an above-average visual experience complemented by an exciting lossless soundtrack, marking it as a technically proficient release despite its content shortcomings.

The supplementary features of the Blu-ray are consistently criticized across reviews as underwhelming, casting a shadow over the release's attempt to offer additional value beyond the film itself. These extras, described as throwaways, do little to enhance the understanding or enjoyment of the film, suggesting a lack of effort in providing a comprehensive package for enthusiasts and collectors alike. This aspect, coupled with the recommendation that the film might best be enjoyed as a casual, perhaps ironically viewed rental rather than a permanent addition to one’s collection, speaks volumes about its overall reception and perceived value.

In conclusion, the Blu-ray release of "10,000 BC" stands as a testament to missed opportunities both in cinematic storytelling and home media presentation. While it boasts commendable technical aspects such as video and audio quality, the lackluster supplementary content and the film's failure to fully realize its potential make it a release that might attract viewers looking for an unusual, if not outright campy viewing experience. It serves as a reminder that even within the realm of spectacles and epics, the devil lies in the details of execution and audience engagement.