Back to the Jurassic Blu-ray Review

"Back to the Jurassic" on Blu-ray showcases both 2D and 3D transfers, offering a solid viewing experience for a family-oriented feature. The 2D image maintains a consistently decent quality without remarkable highs or lows. Textures are plainly rendered, reflecting the film's basic animation style, which is apparent in the simplistic portrayal of modern clothes and prehistoric landscapes. Colors, notably greens, are vibrant yet straightforward, with a balanced presentation. Mild aliasing occurs occasionally but is hardly noticeable to the casual observer. The 3D transfer adds some depth, creating distinct spaces between objects, particularly in action sequences. Despite this, it does not significantly enhance the visual experience, with characters and scenery lacking notable organic volume. Solid colors and detail are retained in 3D, but most viewers may find the more comfortable and natural 2D transfer preferable for repeat viewings.

The Blu-ray comes encoded in 1080p/MVC MPEG-4 and retains the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The animation may feel outdated, but the video quality has its strengths. Depth perception in the 3D transfer is moderate with good separation between foreground and background elements, enhancing spatial sense without significant ghosting or crosstalk issues. Pop-up effects, especially those involving small blue objects, punctuate the 3D experience effectively. The 2D image excels with distinct fine lines and detailed textures in foliage, character clothing, and environmental elements like dirt trails and rock formations. The contrast is commendable, presenting bright, vivid whites alongside deep, accurate blacks for strong shadow delineation. Richly saturated primaries and vibrant secondary hues lend liveliness to the high-definition presentation, making "Back to the Jurassic" visually engaging despite its simplicity.

"Back to the Jurassic" features a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack that, while capable, does not go above and beyond. The use of surrounds is quite commendable, offering instances where pterodactyls swoop from back to front and cars zip side to side, generating a dynamic spatial experience. Natural ambient sounds are presented through back channels, effectively contributing to an immersive prehistoric environment. However, the music in the soundtrack lacks the necessary energy, displaying an evident shyness that dampens the overall aggressive posture that Rock-inspired tunes typically demand.

Despite a somewhat timid low end, the soundtrack provides enough bass to deliver small jolts of intensity but it doesn't reach the level required to produce room-shaking effects as one might expect from rumbling dinosaur footfalls. Dialogue is generally clear but can occasionally get lost amidst the louder action sequences, particularly where music and effects compete for dominance in the mix. There is a palpable weight to the low-end that, on occasion, provides shocking intensity for a children's animated feature. Dynamic range is surprisingly expansive, showing excellent separation and detail, ensuring action-packed moments are distinct and clean.

The rear channels, while not particularly notable, are used effectively with fluid panning effects during action sequences. Vocals consistently remain clear and intelligible throughout the film. Although the soundtrack fulfills its basic requirements with a welcoming and spacious soundstage and convincing off-screen effects between front channels, the sound mix could have benefited significantly from more careful engineering or even a shift towards a modern lossless presentation like DTS or Dolby Atmos, which would align better with the film's adventurous theme.

The Blu-ray release of "Back to the Jurassic" offers a modest selection of extras. The highlight includes trailers for various other titles like "Dinosaur Island," "Deep Sea Challenge," "When Calls the Heart," and "Khumba." These trailers are encoded in 3D but disappointingly play only in 2D, which could be a dealbreaker for some viewers expecting high-definition, stereoscopic previews.

Extras included in this disc:

• Previews for Back to the Jurassic: Highlights upcoming attractions.
• Dinosaur Island Trailer: Preview of another family-friendly adventure.
• Deep Sea Challenge Trailer: Promotes the documentary experience.
• When Calls the Heart Trailer: Preview of the drama series.
• Khumba Trailer: Animated adventure trailer.

"Back to the Jurassic" delivers a predictable yet engaging adventure aimed squarely at younger audiences. The plot centers around Ernie (voiced by Pamela Adlon), a mischievous skateboarder who unintentionally triggers a time machine, sending himself, his sister Jules (voiced by Tara Strong), and best friend Max (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) back to the Cretaceous Period. They are taken in by a T-Rex mother named Tyra (voiced by Melanie Griffith), highlighting a simplistic yet effective moral message on responsibility. The story doesn't break new ground but offers enough excitement and slapstick humor to keep kids entertained, thanks to amusing characters like Dodger (voiced by Rob Schneider).

Technically, the film doesn't reach the heights of leading animation studios like Pixar or DreamWorks. Its simplistic digital animation and generic character designs make it clear that "Back to the Jurassic" is more concerned with capturing a child's short attention span than immersing audiences in a richly detailed world. Voice acting from a seasoned cast, including Jane Lynch and Fred Tatasciore, provides some noteworthy moments, though the narrative and character arcs remain predictable and formulaic.

Although the movie may be viewed as a rebranded attempt to ride on the coattails of "Jurassic World," "Back to the Jurassic" manages to entertain its target demographic effectively. The Blu-ray release itself is professionally assembled, offering both 2D and 3D options, ensuring that young viewers will be engaged by its visual elements. While seasoned viewers may find it lacking in depth and originality, its straightforward storytelling and comedic elements ensure it remains a passable escape for children.

The Blu-ray release of "Back to the Jurassic" presents a visually appealing experience, particularly geared towards younger audiences. The animation, while basic in design, uses vibrant colors and dynamic settings to capture the interest of children. The video quality is solid, with the 2D version slightly outperforming the 3D in terms of overall clarity and sharpness. However, the audio presentation, offered in legacy Dolby Digital, is satisfactory but doesn’t push the boundaries of modern sound systems. This Blu-ray combo of 2D and 3D fails to deliver any substantial extras, which may disappoint collectors and animation enthusiasts looking for behind-the-scenes insights or additional content.

Narratively, "Back to the Jurassic" revolves around a straightforward and predictable plot that offers a clear moral lesson about responsibility. Adults may find the story tedious and overly simplistic, but it holds enough charm to keep younger viewers engaged through to the end. The lack of imagination in plot development and character design is noticeable, making it less appealing for a broader audience. This release seems to have been crafted with a primarily juvenile audience in mind, which aligns with the fundamental aspects of bright visuals and entertaining dinosaur characters.

In conclusion, "Back to the Jurassic" might entertain the youngest of audiences who are less concerned with all of the movie's shortcomings and only interested in the colors, sounds, and dinosaurs. It won't find much crossover appeal with adults who will likely see right through it for what it is: a decent enough filler movie that's completely unimaginative and destined for the bargain bin the moment it hits store shelves. Alchemy’s Blu-ray 2D/3D combo release of "Back to the Jurassic" features adequate video and audio. No extras of substance are included. Recommended for the youngest audiences only.