Space Chimps Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Space Chimps" delivers a solid 2.35:1-framed, 1080p transfer that is both visually appealing and technically proficient. The digital-to-digital transfer is marked by its vivid, rich, and bold colors, with a consistent precision that ensures a vibrant viewing experience. Despite the relatively simpler animation style compared to more lifelike titles, the film showcases a pleasing array of details. These include intricately designed wrinkles and creases in the space suits and well-rendered control panel gizmos in the shuttle’s cockpit. The imagery is sharp and crisp, with a commendable depth that brings an element of immersion to the film. Younger audiences will likely appreciate its bright and easy-to-digest animation.

In terms of technical performance, the 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer largely excels, although some minor issues do arise. There are occasional cases of color banding and a slight softness to the image in some areas. Nonetheless, the transfer remains free from noise, artifacting, or other significant blemishes. Noteworthy features include excellent black levels and a vibrant, glossy palette that especially shines in the depiction of the alien home world. While "Space Chimps" may not reach the pinnacle of visual excellence seen in other animated titles, it still offers a commendable Blu-ray experience that surpasses the film’s original visual expectations.

'Space Chimps' arrives on Blu-ray with a surprisingly robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This audio track provides an impressive sense of spacing and depth. Early in the film, Ham's introduction at the circus includes the announcer's voice reverberating through the rear channels, accompanied by ambient crowd noises and an engaging musical score. The soundtrack remains dynamic throughout, with almost every scene featuring a pronounced rear channel presence. Bass frequencies are notably powerful, delivering room-shaking effects during particular scenes, such as in chapter five with the chimps training to withstand 10 G's, producing an immersive, bass-heavy sound loop that engulfs the listener. Similarly, the shuttle launch in chapter seven offers impactful bass effects.

Dialogue reproduction is exemplary, with clear articulation of every line, ensuring that even the film’s less remarkable jokes come through without issue. Additionally, there is an abundance of rear channel activity, especially during action sequences like Ham III's jetpack escapades and his cannon launches, which contribute to a richly engaging audio experience. For viewers preferring alternate languages, the disc includes French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks and optional subtitles in English and Spanish. Overall, 'Space Chimps' delivers a highly effective and engaging DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix that significantly enhances the viewing experience with its vibrant and expansive sound design.

"Space Chimps" on Blu-ray offers a limited selection of bonus features that are largely underwhelming. The primary extra is the Fox Movie Channel Presents Casting Session where cast and crew discuss the story, casting decisions, and the voice-over work, though it may not appeal to a broad audience due to its content balance. The disc also includes five TV Spots, with brief promotional clips for the film. Additionally, the Trivia Blast provides an interactive trivia track to enhance viewer engagement, covering categories like Monkey Business and Ground Control. Rounding out the extras is a Still Gallery featuring photographs from the film, likely to be of limited interest. The set concludes with trailers for Nim's Island, Meet Dave, and Elephant Tales.

Extras included in this disc:

• Fox Movie Channel Presents Casting Session: Cast and crew discuss the plot and character voice work.
• TV Spots: Five promotional TV commercials.
• Trivia Blast: Interactive pop-up trivia track.
• Still Gallery: Collection of still photographs from the film.
• Trailers: Previews for other movies.

"Space Chimps" on Blu-ray offers an adventure geared toward younger audiences that may not stand out in the annals of animated classics, but it does provide a visually appealing and high-definition experience. The film follows a group of trained chimps—Titan (Patrick Warburton), Luna (Cheryl Hines), and Comet (Zack Shada)—on a mission to retrieve a lost space probe from a distant planet, led by circus performer Ham III (Andy Samberg). While it doesn't match the narrative and stylistic depths found in top-tier animated films like "Kung Fu Panda" or "Ratatouille," "Space Chimps" delivers a lighthearted blend of humor and adventure.

Despite its more modest budget, the animation quality is serviceable, featuring clean and colorful visuals that will appeal to its target demographic. Although some jokes feel flat, particularly the pop culture references, the movie maintains a commendable pace over its 81 minutes, ensuring that it keeps the young audience engaged. The verbal humor combined with slapstick elements makes it palatable for both children and parents, though the latter might find certain lines overly simplistic or clichéd.

The plot's integration of space exploration and alien encounters brings enough novelty to sustain viewer interest. Voice performances, especially from Warburton and Hines, add charm to the characters, although Samberg's humor may not resonate with all. The antagonistic Zartog (Jeff Daniels) injects a bit of tension, albeit his character lacks depth. Overall, "Space Chimps" doesn't aspire to be a groundbreaking animated feature but rather succeeds in its primary mission: to elicit smiles and laughter from young viewers while offering a visual treat on Blu-ray.

"Space Chimps" offers a light-hearted animated adventure aimed primarily at younger audiences. While its characters and storyline lack depth, the movie compensates with humor, colorful animation, and a series of catchy musical numbers. The charming interplay between the chimps keeps the narrative buoyant, providing a consistent stream of laughs that make for a pleasant viewing experience. Although the film may not leave a lasting impression, it entertains with its simplicity and endearing moments.

The Blu-ray presentation by 20th Century Fox stands out with exceptional picture and sound quality, ensuring an engaging visual and auditory experience. The vibrant colors and fluid animations are notably enhanced, making the viewing experience pleasurable for both children and adults. However, the disc is rather sparse on supplemental materials, lacking additional content that could have appealed to younger viewers and their families.

In conclusion, "Space Chimps" doesn’t breakthrough in terms of depth or memorability but succeeds in delivering light-hearted entertainment suitable for a family-friendly viewing. While it might not captivate the entire family, it serves its purpose well for younger audiences. Its technical presentation on Blu-ray is commendable, even if the overall package lacks enriching extras. For those looking for a safe, straightforward family movie night option, "Space Chimps" provides an enjoyable, albeit modestly memorable experience.