Superman: Red Son Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "Superman: Red Son" presents a commendable 1080p HD transfer that excels, yet it is outshone by its 4K UHD counterpart. The 4K UHD version boasts superior clarity, exhibiting strong, vibrant colors and refined detail, albeit with the typical digital noise and moderate banding in lower light scenarios. The Blu-ray, while maintaining a faithful representation of the DCAU style with muted palettes to reflect the Soviet-inspired universe, exhibits occasional compression artifacts and banding. Unique elements like Superman's glowing heat vision and the Green Lantern sequences provide bright, vivid contrasts against darker, more somber scenes.

In the Blu-ray format, the colors fluctuate between vibrant tones in sequences featuring iconic elements like Superman's costume or the Green Lantern ring, to more subdued shades reflecting the doom-laden environments. Black levels on the Blu-ray are deep but not without minor crush issues, which are more pronounced in the dark. Close-ups reveal clean textures and smooth animation lines with very few jagged edges or imperfections. Overall, while the 1080p Blu-ray delivers an admirable visual experience with rich primary colors and well-managed textures, the enhanced depth and brilliance of the 4K UHD release mark a definitive improvement.

While those confined to smaller displays will find the Blu-ray to be satisfactory with its clean image and adequate depth, the 4K UHD version undeniably offers a more polished and visually rewarding experience. The differences become particularly notable in scenes with high contrast and intricate details, where the Blu-ray occasionally falters with banding and digital noise. The 4K UHD transfer effectively mitigates these issues, delivering a crisper and more immersive viewing experience.

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track for "Superman: Red Son," available on both the 4K UHD and Blu-ray discs, is a powerhouse of immersive and dynamic sound. Typical of DCAU films, an Atmos track is absent, but this does not detract from the auditory experience. The mix is vibrant and utilizes the surround channels effectively, creating an engaging action soundscape. The intensity of Superman’s battles is palpable with ground-shaking shock waves, sonic booms enriched with deep bass, and well-directed use of the surrounds as he moves across the screen. The dialog remains crystal clear and perfectly intelligible across a wide dynamic range, transitioning seamlessly from soft conversations to explosive action sequences that fill the room with energy.

This DTS-HD MA 5.1 track delivers a refined yet powerful audio experience, particularly during action scenes where hits and explosions resonate deeply within lower frequencies, adding significant heft. Surround channels are adeptly used with frequent panning effects that contribute to an all-encompassing atmosphere. Frederik Wiedmann’s score stands out, blending fullness and dynamism without overpowering other elements. Dialog clarity is maintained throughout, seldom moving into the surrounds except for in specific scenarios such as echoing outdoor events or crowded indoor settings. The few potential shortcomings in audio oomph during some fight scenes, including a pivotal clash between Superman and Batman, are minor in an otherwise stellar sonic presentation.

Ambient sounds, along with Superman’s various powers, are presented with excellent reverb and directionality. The cityscape comes alive through rear speakers with the sounds of people bustling about, further enhancing the immersive experience. Subtle nuances in quieter scenes are captured effortlessly, ensuring every detail is heard. Subtitle options include English (SDH) and several foreign languages, formatted without sync issues. However, the notable absence of a Russian audio mix is a missed opportunity that could have added authenticity to the film’s premise. Despite this, "Superman: Red Son" stands as an aurally impressive entry in the DCAU catalog.

The Blu-ray release of "Superman: Red Son" boasts nearly 114 minutes of meticulously curated bonus material, offering a blend of historical insights, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and extended previews. The highlight, "Cold Red War," provides an in-depth featurette that delves into both the adaptation process of the original comic to animation and the real-world Cold War events, complete with enduring interviews from key crew members and history professors. The "DC Showcase: Phantom Stranger" short is a thrilling addition, bringing a unique horror twist, albeit not as striking as some other recent DCAU shorts. For sneak peek enthusiasts, the preview for "Justice League Dark: Apokolips War" contains tantalizing clips and production insights. While the motion comics of "Superman: Red Son" seem lackluster and condensed, the overall package is robust with its wealth of archival episodes and trailers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Cold Red War: Behind-the-scenes featurette exploring the Cold War context in the story.
• DC Showcase: Phantom Stranger: An animated short with horror elements.
• Sneak Peek: Justice League Dark: Apokolips War: Preview featuring clips and interviews from the upcoming film.
• Superman: Red Son Motion Comics: Abridged motion comic.
• From the DC Comics Vault: Two-part "A Better World" Justice League episode.
• Trailers: Various trailers for DC animated films.

Warner Bros.' latest DC Animated Universe adaptation, Superman: Red Son, is based on Mark Millar's 2003 three-issue Elseworlds comic series. It presents an alternate reality where Superman's spaceship lands in the Soviet Union rather than Kansas. Raised under Stalin's rule, Superman becomes a symbol of Soviet power but eventually turns against Stalin's oppressive regime. The film explores themes of nature versus nurture by portraying a Superman whose innate morality conflicts with his repressive environment, questioning the means to achieve utopian goals.

The film attempts to condense the vast narrative of the comics into an 84-minute runtime, leading to pacing issues and disjointed storytelling. Significant changes from the source material, such as Wonder Woman being reimagined as a lesbian and the substitution of the original time-travel, closed-loop climax with a more straightforward but less impactful ending, may alienate fans of the comics. These revisions sometimes appear to be included for modern sensibilities rather than narrative necessity and occasionally detract from the story’s original intent and complexity.

Despite these shortcomings, Superman: Red Son excels in other areas, particularly in its dynamic original score by Frederik Wiedmann, which enhances the film's atmosphere. The animation remains engaging, and select character moments, both old and new, add humanity to the tale. While it might not be the most faithful or accessible adaptation in the DCAU, it still offers a compelling narrative worth exploring. The Blu-ray release also benefits from a solid audio-visual presentation and additional extras, rounding out the package for potential viewers.

"Superman: Red Son" offers a unique and compelling alternative take on the Superman mythos, presenting an intriguing divergence from the traditional narrative by firmly situating Kal-El in Soviet Russia. While this animated adaptation doesn’t quite capture the full depth of its comic book source material, it still provides a solid viewing experience. With unique visuals and stylistic choices, it successfully explores a variety of classic characters in fresh contexts. The Blu-ray delivers impressive 1080p video quality and a strong DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio mix that heightens the impact of the well-crafted score and dynamic voice performances.

However, the film does falter with pacing issues and an underdeveloped exploration of the "nurture vs. nature" theme central to Superman's identity. The narrative sometimes glosses over key elements, such as the profound influence of the Kent family on Clark Kent’s morality, which were pivotal in the source material. Additionally, the appearance of certain characters without adequate background might leave viewers less acquainted with the lore feeling disoriented. Despite these challenges, the action sequences are robust and engaging, serving as a redeeming factor for the film’s storyline shortcomings.

While "Superman: Red Son" may not fully live up to its graphic novel counterpart, it remains an engaging alternate universe story. Fans of the DC Animated Universe will find it a worthwhile rental, particularly given its solid A/V presentation and decent array of bonus features. Overall, this Blu-ray release offers a good yet imperfect adaptation with value mainly for dedicated fans. If you have access to a 4K setup, you might consider awaiting that format for an even better visual and auditory experience.

Technical Specifications:

Starring: Jason Isaacs, Amy Acker, Diedrich Bader, Vanessa Marshall, Phil Morris, Paul Williams, Phil LaMarr, Greg Chun
Directed by: Sam Liu
Written by: J.M. DeMatteis
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 AVC
Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, French, Spanish, German DD 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish, German
Studio: Warner Brothers
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 84 Minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: March 17th 2020

Recommendation: Rental