Underdog

The Blu Ray video presentation of "Underdog" is a testament to the evolving standards of high definition content, framed at a commendable 2.35:1 aspect ratio and encoded using the advanced AVC MPEG4 codec. This transfer showcases an impressive leap in quality, possibly indicative of Disney's dedication to pushing boundaries in their Blu-ray offerings. The clarity and detail presented are exceptional, with every aspect of the picture quality – from the precision in capturing every strand of Shoeshine's fur to the vivid color palette – being praiseworthy. The film's visual fidelity benefits from an excellent bitrate, ensuring that the colors are rich and fully saturated without any signs of bleed, and the dark scenes remain detailed even in the absence of light, a feature that's quite remarkable.

However, while the technical prowess of the video transfer is undeniable, it unwittingly highlights some of the film's visual effects shortcomings. The pristine image quality makes it easier to discern the usage of green screens and the occasional digital and unnatural looking elements, such as the opening flyover of Capital City and some of the animal lip-sync effects. Despite these flaws, the overall video quality remains unaffected, demonstrating no significant presence of artifacts, edge enhancement, or grain, except for minimal and almost negligible instances. This cleanliness extends to the physical condition of the print, which is without any marks or scratches, underscoring Disney's commitment to presentation excellence.

The visual presentation of "Underdog" on Blu Ray indeed sets a high standard for future releases. While it brilliantly captures the vibrant and dynamic essence of its animated roots with stable primaries that energetically pop off the screen and inky blacks that enrich the viewing experience, it also reveals some inconsistencies like occasionally flushed skintones and a handful of less vibrant shots. Nonetheless, these minor issues do little to detract from an overall excellent video transfer. Detail levels are consistently high across the board – from the textures in costumes to the intricacies in backgrounds – showcasing an outstanding level of clarity and sharpness that admirers of high definition have come to expect from leading studios like Disney.

The audio presentation of "Underdog" on Blu-Ray offers a robust auditory experience with its Lossless PCM 5.1 soundtrack and an alternative 640kbps Dolby Digital 5.1 version. From the very onset, with scenes such as the laboratory accident, the soundstage indulges the viewer with an immersive experience where glass shards and debris audibly scatter across the room, thanks to effective use of the surround channels. The bass is notably powerful, adding depth and vibration to scenes of chaos and heroism, although some viewers might find dialogue slightly muffled, with a lower output from the centre channel which occasionally affects the clarity of conversations but does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment.

The detailed review mentions both a technical prowess in the sound mixing, where environmental sounds and character movements are captured with precision across the channels, and a few missed opportunities where the mix could have been more enveloping. For instance, action sequences that could have benefited from a more dynamic use of the surround channels and LFE to enhance the sensation of movement and impact are sometimes constrained to the front speakers. Yet, the PCM track generally succeeds in delivering a convincing soundfield, with clear dialogue and well-prioritized audio elements that ensure key moments and finer details, like the rustle of Underdog's fur or the flapping of his cape, are not lost amidst the broader audio spectacle.

Despite some inconsistencies in voice work integration and occasional fragility in high-end frequencies, the 'Underdog' audio experience on Blu-ray remains commendable. The mix notably excels in creating an engaging atmosphere through its expansive use of ambience and action-driven sequences, enriching the cinematic experience despite minor deficiencies in dialogue clarity and surround sound engagement. Overall, Disney's effort on this soundtrack provides a mostly thrilling complement to the film's visual presentation, making it a noteworthy achievement for both audiophiles and casual viewers alike.

The 'Underdog' Blu-ray extras offer a mix of behind-the-scenes glimpses and nostalgic material, albeit within a relatively slim package. Highlights include the director-introduced deleted scenes, providing valuable context to the editing process, and are presented in impressive VC-1 High Definition. The Blooper reel, though brief, brings a light-hearted touch, primarily focusing on the animal cast. 'Sit. Stay. Act: The Diary of a Dog Actor' stands out for its engaging look at the canine stars' training and performance, enriched by Jason Lee's voiceover as Underdog. Additionally, the inclusion of two original Underdog cartoons in 1080 HD offers a link to the series' roots, despite the quality limitations due to their original production format. While some features like the 'Underdog Raps' music video might not hit the mark for all audiences, the overall package will likely appeal to children and fans of the film, despite the absence of a director's commentary or more in-depth making-of content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Six scenes with introductions by Director Frederik Du Chau.
• Bloopers: Outtakes featuring the cast and crew.
• Sit. Stay. Act: Diary Of A Dog Actor: A featurette on the film's canine performers narrated by Jason Lee.
• Underdog Raps Music Video: Kyle Massey performs an end title rap.
• Underdog Cartoons: Two original cartoons from the Underdog series presented in HD.
• Trailers: Previews for other Blu-ray releases.

The Blu-ray release of "Underdog" is technically commendable, offering stellar picture quality and an immersive soundtrack, attributes that elevate the home theater experience significantly. Such technical prowess, however, is juxtaposed against the content of the film itself, which revisits the beloved 1960s cartoon with a contemporary twist that may not resonate with all audiences. The transition from an animated classic to a live-action format, complete with slapstick humor and bright colors, strives to captivate a new generation, but risks alienating purists and older fans due to its deviation from the original series' more satirical nature.

At the heart of the film is Shoeshine, the beagle with an unanticipated gift of superpowers, voiced by Jason Lee, whose performance might remind viewers of his prior work in "My Name Is Earl" rather than bring a fresh take to this iconic character. The cast, including notable names like Peter Dinklage, who plays the villain Dr. Simon Barsinister, brings enthusiasm to their roles, with Dinklage's portrayal standing out despite the script's limitations. Yet, the story's execution seems rushed and lacks depth in character development, leaving some of the cast underutilized and failing to establish a meaningful connection with the audience.

The film attempts to strike a balance between paying homage to the original series and reimagining Underdog for a new audience, focusing on the exploits of a superpowered dog and his young owner as they tackle crime in Capital City. Nonetheless, the translation from animation to live-action is met with mixed results, leaning heavily towards a child-friendly direction that misses the subtlety and wit which characterized the classic series. While "Underdog" might find favor among younger viewers with no attachment to the 1960s cartoon, it struggles to offer more than transient entertainment, overshadowed by its technical achievements on Blu-ray.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Underdog" garners a mix of reactions primarily due to the divide between its intended young audience and adults who may have nostalgic ties to the original series or no context at all. The film is criticized for its lackluster humor and almost negligible plot, attributed to the underwhelming source material from the original cartoons. Despite these narrative shortcomings, it's undeniable that "Underdog" has been technically polished for its Blu-ray release. The video quality is sharp, offering a clarity that, while impressive, unfortunately highlights the poor special effects work. The PCM audio track is immersive, creating a sound experience that is perhaps the disc's standout feature.

For families with children under five, this movie could serve as an entertaining watch, mainly due to the vivacious antics of Shoeshine and company that are likely to keep the young ones engaged. Adults, particularly those expecting a faithful adaptation of the cartoon, are likely to find the experience less enjoyable. The additional content including two original Underdog cartoons might offer some value but does not seem to significantly elevate the overall package. This bifurcation in audience reception suggests that the film is best appreciated with tempered expectations about its fidelity to the cartoon and narrative depth.

In conclusion, "Underdog" on Blu-ray is a product that shines technically with its video and audio presentation, making it a potentially worthwhile investment for parents seeking entertainment for very young children. However, its appeal drastically wanes outside this demographic, marked by its deviation from the original series and a storyline that fails to engage an adult audience. As such, the Blu-ray could be considered for purchase by families or as a rental for a child's viewing, but it lacks broad appeal, especially among purists of the original cartoon and adults without nostalgic connections.