Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" offers both 2D and 3D versions, with the 2D encoded using the AVC codec and the 3D using the MVC codec. Both formats, framed at 1.78:1, deliver a clean and artifact-free digital transfer. However, the resolution of the 1080p/24 transfer appears somewhat soft relative to higher-end productions from studios like Pixar and DreamWorks, resulting in an image that lacks intricate, nuanced detail. While color reproduction is rich and saturated, with deep blacks and excellent shadow delineation, the overall visual experience remains limited by the foundational quality of the animation. The 2D presentation is commendable but falls short of reference-quality, offering less spectacular imagery compared to more detailed and realistically rendered animated features.

The film's 3D version, created using a post-production 2D to 3D conversion due to delays coinciding with the 3D movie boom in 2010, brings mixed results. Although enhanced depth perception and adequate parallax effects help to make scenes feel more spatially dynamic, the inherent softness of the animation diminishes the overall experience. The 3D conversion is effective in general depth rendering but lacks significant pop-out moments and does not achieve the immersive quality seen in top-tier 3D animations like "Cars 2." Minimal crosstalk ensures a comfortable viewing experience, yet the conversion process clearly reveals its limitations through occasional flat textures and an overall plain image.

Despite these drawbacks, "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" manages a serviceable visual presentation in both 2D and 3D formats. Strong colors like Red’s cape and accurate black levels enhance visual appeal even as other details remain flat or simplified. The image quality reflects the lower-end production value of the film itself, yet the transfer generally performs as well as possible given its source material. While not extraordinary, this Blu-ray release offers a baseline effective presentation with just enough visual fidelity to support enjoyable viewing.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" features a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack, consistent across both the 2D and 3D versions. Despite the clarity and accuracy in dialogue stemming from the center channel, the overall audio experience is notably underwhelming. The absence of a strong LFE signal, save for a single explosion, results in a lackluster dynamic punch that's expected from modern soundtracks. The sound mix operates at a level below reference, contributing to an experience that feels reserved and timid. This is particularly disappointing for an animated feature where dynamic sound and precise localization are paramount.

Moreover, the soundtrack often appears front-focused, with minimal use of surround sound to envelop the viewer effectively. Although there are occasional surround actions, they are infrequent and fail to create an immersive experience, even in 3D. The music score, while well-recorded, is buried within the mix and lacks the spatial integration needed to enhance the viewing experience. The heavier sound effects such as explosions, jet engines, and motorcycles also seem underpowered, contributing to the overall lack of energy and volume that hampers the soundtrack’s impact. For optimal listening, it’s advisable to increase the volume past normal levels, though this doesn't fully compensate for the inherent deficiencies in the mix.

The Blu-ray release of "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" includes a 3D version, a 2D version, and several extras. However, the bonus content is rather underwhelming and primarily consists of standard definition materials, even on the 2D Blu-ray. Highlights include a series of music videos with performances by Hayden Panettiere, Lavay Cole, and CeeJ, as well as a featurette with the voice cast. The production artwork and storyboard sequences provide some insight into the film's creation process, but overall, the extras are limited and somewhat secondary in quality. The standard definition presentation of these extras detracts from their appeal, especially given the high-definition capability of Blu-ray.

Extras included in this disc:

• I Can’t Do It Alone: Music video by Hayden Panettiere.
• You Know It: Music video by Lavay Cole.
• Perfect Two: Music video by CeeJ.
• The Voices of Hoodwinked Too: Interviews with the voice cast.
• Production Artwork: Gallery of artwork.
• Storyboard Sequences: Comparison of storyboards to final scenes.
• Hoodwinked Too! Video Game Teasers: Teasers for mobile games.

The Blu-ray release of "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" offers a mixed bag technically and content-wise. This Region A four-disc set includes both 3D and 2D versions on separate discs, as well as a DVD and a digital copy. The animation, characterized by its simplistic and often cheap-looking style, falls short when compared to other computer-animated works. Despite an impressive voice cast, including Hayden Panettiere, Glenn Close, and Patrick Warburton, the film suffers from a weak script and lack of imagination, offering little to captivate either children or adults. The story revolves around Red Riding Hood and her attempts to recover a stolen secret recipe while juggling a rescue mission involving her team. Nevertheless, the narrative's execution leaves much to be desired, being overly clichéd and predictable.

On the technical side, the 1080p/24 2D Blu-ray presentation encoded using the AVC codec at 1.78:1 shows disappointingly soft image quality for a computer-animated feature. While colors are saturated and blacks solid, the transfer’s lack of fine detail is notable. The post-production converted 3D version fares slightly better, adding depth to the story despite occasional crosstalk. Both versions come with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack, which unfortunately lacks dynamic punch and immersive quality. The sound levels remain consistently below reference, limiting the potential for a compelling auditory experience.

The package also falls short on additional features, offering only three music videos, a brief featurette, production artwork, and storyboards. Ultimately, "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" fails to impress either technically or narratively. Its uninspired animation, tired plot, and mediocre presentation make it challenging to recommend to audiences seeking either engaging storytelling or top-tier animation quality.

"Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" is an animated sequel that falls short in nearly every respect. Despite an intriguing concept of fairytale characters undertaking modern espionage, the execution is marred by a hackneyed plot and uninspired dialogue that lack wit or charm. The animation, which could be forgivable in a better film, appears outdated and subpar by contemporary standards. Further compounding the disappointment is the lazy voice work that fails to bring any true vitality or engagement to the characters.

The technical specifications of the Blu-ray 3D release yield mixed results. While the 1080p transfer offers reasonable depth, it doesn't extend much beyond that initial visual appeal. The sound quality is similarly lackluster; the lossless soundtrack feels underpowered and fails to deliver an immersive audio experience. Additionally, the supplementary content is minimal and not particularly engaging, consisting of a few generic extras that do little to enhance the overall package.

Conclusively, "Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil" is a significant letdown. With poor execution across its narrative and technical aspects, the film offers little incentive for viewers to invest their time. Its relatively short runtime might appear as a silver lining at first glance, but the viewing experience is so laborious that it feels significantly longer. As a result, this Blu-ray release comes highly unrecommended for anyone seeking a quality animated film. Skip it.