Spark: A Space Tail Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Spark: A Space Tail" on Blu-ray is an interesting case study in contrasts. The 2.40:1 AVC-encoded 1080p transfer presents the film with sufficient clarity to expose both its strengths and its weaknesses. The animation, unfortunately, lacks the polish typically seen in higher-budget productions. Although colors are vibrant and carry a reasonable degree of pop, the overall image lacks the necessary nuance and complexity, making it appear flat and bland in many scenes. Close-up details like the lines and creases on characters do stand out, but broader, expansive shots tend to look cheap and overly simplistic. Aliasing issues further detract from the visual experience, particularly noticeable during overhead city shots, causing significant scene-destroying shimmering.

Technically, the transfer is competent but unspectacular. The black levels fall short of delivering true depth, often rendering space scenes in a medium gray tone rather than a deep black. On the plus side, color control is maintained well, avoiding banding issues that could have further marred the image. Some scenes, particularly those that appear to have been framed with 3D in mind, show better fluidity and dynamism in character movements. However, despite these elements, the transfer struggles to remain engaging beyond surface-level visuals. The primary deficiencies stem from the inherent limitations of the source material, resulting in a Blu-ray experience that is only intermittently impressive.

"Spark: A Space Tail" features a commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that, while not overwhelmingly groundbreaking, provides a rich and engaging auditory experience. Music, both orchestral and Pop, is spread fluidly across the soundstage, effortlessly filling the front channels with width and depth. Surround sound implementation is balanced and intuitive, offering a harmonious blend of action effects and ambient sounds. Low-frequency effects are pleasantly deep, lending a robust backdrop to the onscreen action without overpowering the more delicate audio elements.

Dialogue is consistently clear and anchored in the center channel, offering prominence and clarity even amidst complex soundscapes. The soundtrack also showcases impressive spot-specific imaging and smoothly integrates moving audio elements. Instances such as General Zhong's speech around the 50-minute mark illustrate fine attention to detail with notable reverberation effects. The surround mix achieves a room-filling presence throughout the film, with Robert Duncan’s score maintaining a pervasive and immersive surround sound experience complemented by atmospheric effects that move thoughtfully through the entire soundstage.

The Blu-ray extras for "Spark: A Space Tail" offer a concise yet informative look behind the scenes of this animated feature. Despite the film's perceived lack of originality, these supplements provide insights that animation enthusiasts will find engaging. The featurettes, though brief, effectively showcase the creative process involved in the film’s creation. The voice work featurette highlights contributions from notable cast members, while the image progression and concept art reels offer a visual journey from early designs to final renderings. While additional trailers and promotional materials are included, the depth of each featurette maintains professional engagement for the viewer.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Creative Spark: Voicing the Characters: The voice cast discusses their experience working on the film.
• Bringing Spark to Life: A progression reel from storyboards to final animation.
• Spark Concept Art Reel: A montage showcasing early artwork set to music.

"Spark: A Space Tail" is an animated film that struggles to find its own identity amidst an oversaturation of similar narratives in the cinematic landscape. Directed by Aaron Woodley, it heavily borrows from iconic space operas like "Star Wars" and "Firefly," rendering its plot predictable and unoriginal. Spark, a young monkey voiced by Jace Norman, lives on a fractured piece of the planet Bana, which was devastated by the villainous Zhong (Alan C. Peterson) with the help of the space Kraken. The film charts Spark's journey from impetuous youth to reluctant hero, echoing familiar tropes of self-discovery and bravery against tyranny. Despite its lackluster originality, some younger viewers might enjoy its spunky spirit.

The animation quality mirrors television-grade CGI with uninspired detailing and matted clumps for character hair instead of the intricate designs of Pixar or Dreamworks. The narrative follows formulaic steps, from a rebellious teenager proving his mettle to the showdown between two martial female characters, Vix (Jessica Biel) and Koko (Athena Karkanis). The voice cast is commendable, featuring solid performances from veterans like Patrick Stewart, Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, and Susan Sarandon, who imbue their characters with appropriate emotions and depth. The technical aspects, while not groundbreaking, are serviceable enough to keep the movie afloat.

In essence, "Spark: A Space Tail" is a film with its heart in the right place but suffers from its derivative nature and mediocre animation. It offers a fleeting diversion for younger audiences but lacks the originality and technical brilliance to captivate a broader spectrum of viewers. While it showcases competent voice acting and some engaging character designs, the film's heavy reliance on well-worn clichés ultimately limits its appeal.

"Spark: A Space Tail" struggles to distinguish itself in the crowded realm of animated features. Its narrative is a predictable amalgamation of tropes, offering little originality or emotional depth. While the voice acting by talents like Jessica Biel, Patrick Stewart, and Susan Sarandon injects some vitality, the characters remain largely unmemorable. The animation style fails to impress, leaning heavily on generic visuals that lack the flair and innovation seen in superior animated films.

Technically, the Blu-ray presentation is a mixed bag. The aspect ratio of 2.39:1 AVC brings forth a decent visual experience, although the video quality is often inconsistent. On the audio front, the DTS-HD MA 5.1 track stands out, delivering a robust and immersive soundscape that complements the film's more dynamic sequences. Extras are sparse, offering minimal supplementary content for those seeking more insight into the film's creation.

In summary, "Spark: A Space Tail" is a benign but uninspiring entry in the animated genre. It may entertain undiscerning younger viewers for its 92-minute runtime, yet it falls short for a more critical audience. Considering the abundance of higher-quality options available, this title is easily skippable. The Blu-ray release provides technical merits in audio but is ultimately hampered by an underwhelming cinematic experience. Recommend: Skip It.