Alien vs. Predator Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Alien vs. Predator" showcases the film in 1080p within its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, employing an MPEG-2 encoding which attests to its status as an early Fox release. While the transfer exhibits a persistent grayish-blue tint fitting its dark aesthetic, it also reveals a moderate graininess in certain scenes. Nevertheless, sharpness and detail are commendable, lending the movie a clear and refined visual quality. However, the transfer isn't without its faults; the black levels are notably inconsistent, often veering towards gray and compromising the depth of the image. This is likely a consequence of post-production brightening, which detracts from the natural appearance of darker scenes. Moreover, while the film's limited color palette does display vibrancy in certain instances, the overall dark and murky demeanor doesn't fully capitalize on the potential for a more visually stunning experience.

Regarding color reproduction and contrast, the Blu-ray does an accurate job of reflecting the film's intended visual atmosphere, with a prevalently desaturated look interspersed with colder steel blue tones for added effect. The color red stands out amidst this, offering vibrancy in particular sequences that punctuate the film's darker visuals. Despite generally solid hues and no significant issues with color bleeding or noise, contrast levels are inconsistent, leading to a lack of dynamism in several scenes. Additionally, the presence of grain and noise in specific shots contributes to occasional distractions from the film's immersive quality. Notwithstanding these inconsistencies and moments of softness—especially noticeable in daylight exteriors—the majority of dark interior scenes and selectively brighter segments present with impressive clarity and dimensionality.

Overall, while this early Blu-ray release of "Alien vs. Predator" delivers a serviceable video quality that represents the film's chilly and foreboding atmosphere adequately, it falls short of perfection due to variable black levels, contrast inconsistencies, and occasional visual artifacts. The image quality does exhibit strengths in detail and color solidity in particular contexts, but these positives are somewhat marred by the aforementioned issues. It stands as a generally good transfer that could benefit from refinements to reach reference quality, particularly given the expectations for high-definition home video presentations.

Alien vs. Predator" delivers an engaging auditory experience through its DTS-HD Master Audio track. Despite limitations to only the core 1.5 Mbps track due to playback device constraints, the sound quality does not disappoint. It provides a loud, clean, and aggressive sonic landscape without tipping into distortion. The film’s audio excels in its use of surrounds, presenting a broad and immersive soundstage that complements its dynamic action and ambiance. From the deep, rumbling bass that underscores the tension and excitement of the film’s conflicts to the meticulous application of ambient sounds, the audio component is both refined and enveloping, ensuring viewers are sonically transported into the heart of the action.

Despite its aggressive audio dynamics, "Alien vs. Predator" has moments of pronounced silence, introducing an odd yet interesting challenge to its sound design. The first half of the film can feel sonically underwhelming, with limited surround activity and atmospheric depth, making for a somewhat flat auditory experience initially. However, the narrative's progression into the depths of the pyramid brings a significant transformation. The nuanced layering of discrete sound effects, from the realistic snarl of an Alien to the ominous hum of deeper bass tones, creates a palpable tension. The stark contrast between the quieter stalking scenes and the booming intensity of the film’s climax showcases a well-executed use of the 360-degree soundscape.

The DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 surround track on "Alien vs. Predator" Blu-ray rises to meet its audio challenges head-on. The shift from a relatively uneventful sonic beginning to a meticulously crafted, immersive auditory experience in the latter half demonstrates a complex and ultimately rewarding use of the film's sound design. Whether it's through powerful bass lines or precise localization of isolated effects, this audio track ensures each moment is felt with as much intensity as it is seen, embodying an impressive and complete cinematic sound experience.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Alien vs. Predator" hosts a variety of extras, albeit not as extensive as one might hope given its use of a BD-50 disc. Both the PG-13 Theatrical and the Unrated versions are available through seamless branching, offering a smooth viewing experience. Noteworthy are the two commentary tracks; the first features director Paul W.S. Anderson alongside actors Lance Henriksen and Sanaa Lathan, providing an entertaining if somewhat cluttered insight into the film's production and hidden homages. The second, led by effects specialists Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr., and John Bruno, delves deeply into the technical aspects of the creature effects, appealing to fans interested in the intricacies of film effects. While video-based extras from the DVD release are conspicuously absent, a trivia track and director's cut scenes are still valuable for enthusiasts seeking deeper understanding of the franchise's lore. Other inclusions are 1080p trailers for "Alien vs. Predator" and other Fox titles, leveraging the Blu-ray's visual fidelity to enhance these previews.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio commentary with director Paul W.S. Anderson, Lance Henriksen, and Sanaa Lathan: Insights into production, with overlapping discussions.
• Audio commentary with Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr., and John Bruno: Focused on the technical aspects of creature effects.
• Pop-up Trivia Track: Offers background information on the Predator and Alien races.
• Seamless Branching of Unrated and Theatrical Versions: Allows choice between movie versions without interruption.
• 1080p Trailers for Multiple Movies: Including "Alien vs. Predator," enhancing the presentation quality.
• D-Box Encoding: For an immersive viewing experience, though not universally accessible.

Alien vs. Predator" on Blu-Ray presents an ambitious crossover that amalgamates two of Twentieth Century Fox's most iconic extraterrestrial franchises, aiming to blend the distinct horror and science fiction elements of each series into a singular narrative. The film intriguingly positions the Predators and Aliens as polar opposites in their approach to combat and survival - the former relying heavily on advanced technology and the latter on natural prowess in speed, stealth, and surprise. This fundamental contrast, alongside the inclusion of humans caught in the crossfire, sets a promising stage for a "vs. movie" that seeks to outshine its predecessors by leveraging the inherent cool factor and iconic status of its titular characters.

However, the execution falters primarily in its plot and character development, highlighting a common pitfall among crossover endeavors. The storyline, while initially engaging with its discovery of an ancient pyramid that intertwines Cambodian, Aztec, and Egyptian architectures, soon succumbs to contrived conveniences and a lackluster attempt at rewriting human history to accommodate the alien duels. The characters, unfortunately, do not fare much better. Despite Lance Henriksen’s credible portrayal of Charles Bishop Weyland, most performances feel uninspired, contributing little to an already teetering narrative scaffolding. The action sequences and CGI, though visually satisfying, are undercut by a PG-13 rating that dilutes the expected visceral impact, betraying fans’ expectations for a franchise renowned for its hard-R roots.

Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the film's aesthetical elements, particularly the production design and creature effects, stand out as commendable efforts to recapture and innovate upon the visual legacies of both series. However, this surface-level appeal is not enough to compensate for the absence of a coherent, emotionally resonant plot that could have elevated "Alien vs. Predator" beyond its gimmick-film foundation. Ultimately, the movie delivers on the spectacle of its climactic monster showdown but falls short of adding meaningful depth or novelty to the Alien or Predator canons, leaving it entangled in its ambition as a crossover film that satisfies neither as a standalone narrative nor as a respectful continuation of its forebears' legacies.

Alien vs. Predator" on Blu-ray serves as a divisive yet entertaining addition to the collections of franchise aficionados, presenting a spectacle where the iconic creatures clash in what can be best described as a visually engaging albeit narratively insipid showdown. The film itself, while not achieving greatness, offers enough thrills with its Alien and Predator encounters to keep audiences invested through its runtime. It's slickly produced but leaves one pondering the potential had it ventured into a darker tone. The Blu-ray quality, though superior to its DVD counterpart, is considered average at best. It marks a notable improvement with a decent video transfer and an impactful soundtrack, yet it is marred by persisting, seemingly correctable issues and a disappointing array of extras given the capacity of a BD-50 dual-layer disc.

Fans of either or both franchises may find enjoyment in this release despite its faults. It appeals primarily to those with a vested interest in the lore and spectacle of the Alien and Predator universes. The offering shines during its action sequences and provides adequate home theater excitement, though it falls short of being a definitive purchase. With sparse special features and an overall presentation that doesn't fully leverage the Blu-ray format's capabilities, it leaves something to be desired for a product housing such a significant crossover.

In conclusion, "Alien vs. Predator" on Blu-ray is recommended as a rental rather than a purchase, except for die-hard collectors or those finding it at a discounted price. While it delivers on the basic promise of its premise with some degree of visual and auditory satisfaction, it ultimately fails to elevate beyond mediocrity due to its average presentation quality and lackluster supplementary content. Fans new to the franchises are advised to explore the more critically acclaimed entries before considering this installment.