Open Season 3 Blu-ray Review

The 1080p Blu-ray video presentation of "Open Season 3" delivers a reliable, yet somewhat unremarkable experience. The film benefits from Sony's high-quality transfer, resulting in a clean and precise picture, which is expected from most CGI animated features. Colors serve as a particular highlight, showing vibrant and appealing hues, from the lush greens of the foliage to the rich browns of Boog's fur. Notably, sequences involving the circus are visually striking with their bright reds and blues. However, the animation quality reveals budgetary constraints affecting the third installment, making certain scenes appear stilted and rigid compared to its predecessors.

Detail levels are commendable where the animation allows, most noticeably observed in the fine texturing of fur and environmental elements. Close-up shots, such as a white dog in chapter five, exhibit a surprising amount of detail with individual strands of fur rendered exceptionally well. Yet, not every scene maintains this standard; a noticeable chunkiness can detract from the overall visual experience, especially for a post-2011 release. The transfer faithfully presents what it has to work with, resulting in fair depth in some areas and a slightly flat image in others, indicating variability in the source animation quality.

Minor issues such as banding do appear but don't significantly detract from the overall viewing experience. While "Open Season 3" may not match the high benchmarks set by premier animated features like "Monsters, Inc.," it offers an above-average video presentation, accented by bright and vivid colors and decent fine detail, considering its budget limitations. For fans of the franchise, this Blu-ray transfer does justice to the material provided, though it would have benefited from more sophisticated animation work.

"Open Season 3" delivers a commendable DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack that impressively suits the film's lively atmosphere. Notably energetic when required, the audio presentation keeps viewers engaged with its dynamic music and slight yet essential back channel support that enhances the spatial experience. The directional and speaker-specific sound effects, such as Boog's thrilling ride through the soundstage in a shopping cart, add a layer of immersion. Precise placement of dialogue, even off-frame, ensures clarity and accuracy. Although the track does not break new ground, it effectively meets expectations for a budget DTV animated release, combining crisp dialogue and well-balanced sound elements.

However, there are instances where the mix seems overly front-centric, particularly during the circus scenes where rear-channel engagement is lacking. Throughout most of the movie, the mix diligently utilizes every channel to create an enriched soundscape. Highlights include scenes with powerful low-frequency effects, such as trailers rolling dramatically and circus cannons firing robust, LFE-laden shots. The ambient sounds, like off-screen birds chirping, are well-reproduced in the rear channels, contributing to a convincing sound environment. Dialogue is generally clean and clear, though notable exceptions occur with certain characters’ vocal performances.

Overall, while "Open Season 3" doesn't revolutionize animated film audio, it offers a robust and satisfactory listening experience. The surround sound effects are effective, enhancing the viewing with precise spatial elements. This presentation guarantees that both the energetic action sequences and subtler ambient moments are delivered with a professional quality that meets the industry's technical standards.

"Open Season 3" Blu-ray offers a modest array of extras ranging from interactive games to insights into the animation process. The features, although not groundbreaking, provide entertaining and educational value with a focus on the film's development stages and interactive engagement. The disc includes games that enhance viewer immersion by leveraging unique interactivity, while the progression reel showcases the meticulous journey from storyboard to final render, offering a glimpse into the technical craftsmanship behind the animation. This package will appeal mainly to younger audiences and those interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects of animated filmmaking.

Extras included in this disc:

• Rabbit Splat Mode: Toss virtual rabbits at the screen while the movie plays.
• Boog's Cannon Blast Game: Fire "Open Season" characters out of a cannon to help rescue Boog.
• Runaway RV Game: Control a runaway RV.
• Progression Reel: A look at the evolution of a scene from storyboard to final CGI rendering.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.
• BD-Live.
• DVD Copy.

"Open Season 3," a direct-to-video sequel, continues the series with a light, formulaic adventure that offers just enough entertainment for its young audience. The movie reintroduces familiar characters like Boog (Mike Epps) and Elliot (Joel McHale) and conveys messages about friendship and self-worth, though these themes feel somewhat superficial. This installment involves Boog's quest for a guys-only vacation, leading to his encounter with a lookalike bear at a circus, where comedic yet predictable "Prince and the Pauper" scenarios ensue.

Technically, the animation appears static and unimproved since the original film's 2006 release, resulting in a visually stiff presentation. Additionally, the voice acting remains somewhat lackluster despite the franchise's high-profile origins. However, "Open Season 3" delivers on its core promise: a fun, low-stakes diversion that will keep children engaged. Despite its lack of originality, the movie’s vibrant and colorful visuals, coupled with its easy-to-follow plot and likable new characters, render it an effective "babysitter."

Musically, "Open Season 3" incorporates tracks like "Real Wild Child," adding a nostalgic touch albeit less impactful than its predecessor's soundtrack choices. The runtime is succinct, aiding the film’s pacing despite occasional midstream slow-downs. While not matching the quality of top-tier animated franchises like Pixar's or DreamWorks', "Open Season 3" succeeds in creating a kid-friendly experience filled with talking animals, familiar humor, and intermittent laughs, making it an enjoyable addition for young viewers.

"Open Season 3" continues the adventures from previous installments with mixed results. As a direct-to-video release, it understandably lacks the polish of high-budget animated films, but still delivers passable animation and an earnest attempt at storytelling. The plot, while formulaic and predictable, features some good-hearted messages that can resonate with younger viewers. The humor is sparse, leading to only a handful of chuckles—a notable improvement over other similar titles, though it remains far from genuinely amusing.

From a technical standpoint, Sony's Blu-ray release is commendable. The audio-visual (A/V) quality is solid, offering clarity and consistency that will satisfy most viewers. Extras on the disc are minimal, but are complemented by kid-friendly mini games which are likely to appeal to the target audience. Unfortunately, the sparse special features won't offer much to those looking for in-depth insights or additional content.

In conclusion, "Open Season 3" falls short of being an engaging or memorable film experience. Its rudimentary story and lacking humor make it a less-than-ideal choice given the plethora of superior alternatives available. However, the movie's decent production values and positive messages do provide some redeeming qualities. Overall, this release is suitable for keeping younger children entertained, though discerning parents might be better served exploring other options.