X-Men: Days of Future Past Blu-ray Review

"X-Men: Days of Future Past (The Rogue Cut)" retains the distinguished visual fidelity of its Theatrical Cut counterpart, providing a captivating experience in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encoded format. This Blu-ray release boasts a 2.40:1 aspect ratio and maintains the technical excellence expected from a digitally-shot feature primarily using Arri Alexa cameras. The image quality is impressive, demonstrating fine detail with excellent clarity across various scenes, even in sequences with substantial color grading. The detailed textures, evident in close-ups showing Wolverine's whiskers, alongside minimal artifacts such as occasional grain-like noise in select scenes, affirm the high standards of video presentation.

In addition, the film’s contrast levels excel, balancing deep blacks and bright whites without clipping, thus preserving shadow delineation effectively throughout darker sequences, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The aggressive color grading shifts between somber blues and greys in the future post-apocalyptic timeline to vibrant hues in the 1970s sequences, showcasing a visually dynamic and period-accurate palette. While CGI elements may sometimes appear marginally soft, particularly in scenes involving portals and other visual effects-intensive moments, the visuals remain robust and immersive.

Regarding the 3D aspect, disappointment stems from the absence of a 3D version for "The Rogue Cut," despite being shot natively in 3D. This omission leaves enthusiasts of the format yearning for a more comprehensive package. Nonetheless, the standard 2D presentation delivers an impressive sense of depth and dimension through creative cinematographic techniques, such as slow-motion sequences and strategic use of depth of field. The meticulously preserved black levels and vibrant color reproduction collectively contribute to making this Blu-ray release a visually arresting addition to any collection, though it lacks the bonus of a 3D viewing experience.

The audio presentation of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" on Blu-ray is nothing short of exemplary, featuring a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track that effectively immerses the viewer from the opening scenes to the end credits. The mix seamlessly incorporates new footage and material, ensuring that the enhanced and extended edition retains its original impact. The choice of a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 system, while not utilizing Dolby Atmos, does not detract from the superb sound quality but would have been a forward-looking addition.

This mix is a powerhouse of sound design, offering a wide dynamic range and crystal-clear dialogue despite the frenetic and complex action sequences. The audio landscape is vibrant and authentic, with nuanced foley effects complementing the more aggressive elements such as roaring high-speed trains, explosive mutant powers, and intense battle scenes. The LFE channel is particularly noteworthy, providing a robust low-frequency extension that gives extra punch during action-packed moments.

The surround sound presentation is expertly balanced, with ambient effects and sci-fi sounds creating a lifelike soundstage that draws you into the movie's world. Whether it’s Quicksilver’s rapid movements or Professor X’s psychic interventions, the directional audio is handled deftly, ensuring every element finds its place in the mix without becoming overwhelming. Overall, this DTS-HD MA 7.1 track offers an expansive, detailed auditory experience that enhances the film’s narrative and visual prowess, making it a prime example of high-quality audio presentation in modern cinema.

The Blu-ray extras for "X-Men: Days of Future Past - Rogue Cut" provide a wealth of engaging and technically rich content that more than compensates for the previous releases' shortcomings. With two commentaries—one featuring Director Bryan Singer and Composer/Editor John Ottman for the Rogue Cut, and another with Singer and Writer Simon Kinberg for the Theatrical Cut—viewers gain deep insights into both the creative and technical aspects of the film. The second disc is packed with extensive features, including a comprehensive, 9-part documentary, "Mutant vs. Machine," that delves into various production elements from script development to visual effects. The roundtable session "X-Men: Unguarded" offers a candid conversation with the cast and director. Additional galleries provide further exploration into storyboards, costumes, and concept art.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Bryan Singer and John Ottman: Discusses the Rogue Cut with insights into editing and music composition.
• Audio Commentary with Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg: Focused on story structuring and production trivia.
• Mutant vs. Machine: A 9-part documentary covering all aspects of production.
• X-Men: Unguarded: Roundtable discussion with the cast and director.
• Gallery: Includes Storyboards, Costumes, and Concept Art.
• Fantastic Four Sneak Peek: Brief look behind the scenes of another upcoming film.

“X-Men: Days of Future Past – The Rogue Cut” presents a fascinating alternate version of the original narrative, enhancing the plot with 17 minutes of previously deleted scenes. This extended cut adds subtle yet impactful moments, primarily focusing on narrative enrichment rather than drastic change. Initial modifications mainly include minor dialogues and brief sequences, such as an added internet joke in the 70s or Nixon's f-bomb, which at times feel unnecessary. However, a more significant plot development occurs when Iceman, Professor X, and Magneto embark on a mission to rescue Rogue, creating a dynamic and tense action sequence that reverberates through the film.

The film skillfully bridges the gap between the original “X-Men” films and the newer “First Class” series. The restored scenes reintroduce characters and elements like Beast and Mystique's romance, and even feature additional screen time for new characters like Bishop and Blink. While the additions offer more depth to relationships and character development—such as McAvoy’s Xavier’s quest for redemption or Fassbender's expertly portrayed Magneto—the primary appeal is seeing fan-favorites like Rogue and the veteran mutants partake in the future action scenes.

Technically, these new scenes don’t majorly alter the main storyline but add richness to an already complex narrative. The Blu-ray release ensures a seamless viewing experience by maintaining high visual and audio standards. Although some new sequences don’t significantly enhance the plot, they deliver engaging content for diehard fans. For aficionados of the franchise, this Rogue Cut provides a deeper dive into the saga’s intricate universe, despite some minor pacing issues in the extended scenes.

"X-Men: Days of Future Past (The Rogue Cut)", offers a stellar amalgamation of intense action and intricate time-travel storytelling, merging both past and future elements of the X-Men franchise seamlessly. This edition continues the film's legacy with a blend of new scenes and character moments that, although minor, enrich the narrative for devoted fans. Technologically, this Blu-ray impresses with its superior video transfer and audio mix, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. Enhanced by two new insightful commentaries and a host of supplemental material spilling onto a second disc, this is a comprehensive package with notable additions.

Although devoid of a 3D presentation and Dolby Atmos support, the "Rogue Cut" compensates with substantial extras, making it an enticing option for completists and new viewers alike. The release includes a making-of documentary and retains the high quality intrinsic to the original theatrical release. Despite some minor pacing concerns with the extended cut, fans will appreciate the added depth and nuance. Comparing favorably to other editions, including Zavvi's less visually impressive steelbook offer, this version stands out for its content rather than its packaging.

A stunning blend of past and future events, fusing together old and new franchises, “X-Men: Days of Future Past” defied all expectations. Zavvi might have missed the mark with their steelbook artwork, but the incredible video and audio quality coupled with an array of extras make this edition hard to overlook. While not perfect, it is a significant upgrade for those who seek to delve deeper into this intricate X-Men universe.