Turbo Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray transfer of "Turbo" is a masterclass in modern animation presentation. Utilizing the 1080p MPEG-4 AVC codec, the transfer displays exceptional clarity that is free from compression artifacts such as banding or blockiness. The meticulous attention to detail by the animation team is on full display here, especially in the richly detailed environments, which include imperfections in roadways, pebbly backyard terrains, and veins in leaves. Even the textures of individual blades of grass and race cars are rendered with stunning precision, making the overall visual experience both immersive and engaging.

Colors are bold and vibrant, offering a veritable rainbow that enhances every scene without ever descending into gaudiness. The color palette, with its bright reds, blues, greens, and yellows, remains balanced and true to life. Black levels are equally impressive, providing depth and contrast whether showcasing dark nighttime backdrops or automobile tires. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio is utilized effectively, delivering an impressively crisp and well-defined image that holds up even during high-speed sequences. This Blu-ray release sets a benchmark in video quality, making it a reference-grade transfer from start to finish.

The Blu-ray release of "Turbo" features a superb DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack, offering a dynamic and fully immersive auditory experience. The primary English track excels with a comprehensive stage presence, manifesting notable sonic accuracy and precision. Whether it’s the rumble of cars or the zoom of jets overhead, the soundstage is wide and seamless, presenting a near in-person simulation during high-speed races. Signature sound effects, from lawnmowers to Turbo's boosts, are delivered with riveting clarity and powerful low-end support that reverberates through every scene. The musical score, featuring vibrant pieces like "Jump Around," brings substantial energy and heft without overshadowing other elements. Dialogue remains crisp and centered.

Complementing the primary track, the soundtrack includes additional audio options: English Descriptive Audio 5.1, and multilingual Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks in Spanish, French, Portuguese, Estonian, Thai, Arabic, Latvian, Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and a Russian DTS 5.1 option. This extensive array ensures accessibility for a broad audience. Across all tracks, supportive ambient effects are well integrated, enhancing the overall viewing experience. The robust nature of this audio presentation significantly heightens the film's enjoyment factor for viewers, making it a standout component of this Blu-ray release.

The Blu Ray edition of "Turbo" offers a robust selection of extras designed primarily for children, enhancing their experience beyond the film itself. While it lacks an audio commentary track, the disc compensates with a range of interactive features and behind-the-scenes content. There are music videos, an exclusive sports newscast interview with Turbo, and in-depth tutorials on drawing the characters. The set’s interactivity is boosted by the Shell Creator feature, which lets users design custom racing shells. Additionally, it includes previews for various DreamWorks titles and an array of promotional material. The extras are technically polished in high definition, ensuring a visually engaging experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Champion's Corner: A sports newscast featuring an interview with Turbo.
• Smoove Move's Music Maker: Musical segments from the film.
• Team Turbo: Tricked Out: Details on snails' race enhancements.
• Meet Tito -- Deleted Scene: Director introduces a favorite scene in storyboard form.
• The Race -- Storyboard Sequence: Storyboard with final version shown in a small box.
• Be An Artist!: Lessons on drawing characters from the film.
• Shell Creator: Interactive feature for customizing racing shells.
• Turbo Theatrical Trailer: Official movie trailer.
• Sneak Peek: Previews of various DreamWorks titles.
• World of DreamWorks Animation: Music videos from other DreamWorks films.
• DVD Copy: Included alongside the Blu Ray edition.
• Digital Copies: UV and iTunes versions available.

Reference video and audio help make one of the year's best animated movies a must-own Blu-ray.

DreamWorks' "Turbo" may seem on the surface like a derivative of Pixar’s "Cars," but it skillfully carves out its own identity in the saturated market of animated racing films. Despite familiar storyline elements and stylistic choices, "Turbo" races ahead with its vibrant animation, endearing characters, and a narrative loaded with heart and soul. The film follows Theo (voiced by Ryan Reynolds), a snail with aspirations to break free from his mundane existence to race in the Indy 500. This fantastical journey from garden snail to fast-lane hero is executed with a blend of excitement, humor, and emotional depth, making it a delightful experience for the whole family. Although the storyline is laden with clichés, its persistent message of perseverance and belief in oneself resonates deeply.

The plot revolves around Theo’s transformation into “Turbo” after an accidental infusion of nitrous oxide, granting him super-speed. His unlikely partnership with Tito (voiced by Michael Peña), a taco stand worker with big dreams, pushes both characters towards their daring goal—to have Turbo compete in the Indianapolis 500. The character dynamics are enriched by a talented voice cast including Paul Giamatti, Samuel L. Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Bill Hader, and Luis Guzmán. These voices breathe life into their animated counterparts, making them memorable and relatable. The interplay between Tito and his brother Angelo (Guzmán) is particularly noteworthy for its authenticity and humor, adding layers to the story beyond its racing façade.

Technically, "Turbo" excels with its cutting-edge digital animation, delivering stunning visuals brimming with color and detail. The characters, while somewhat standard in design, come alive through meticulous animation and expressiveness. Though aimed primarily at children, the film’s aesthetic appeal and well-rounded characters hold potential for repeat viewings. It may not redefine the genre, but "Turbo" stands firm as an entertaining and touching film that conveys the power of dreams and determination in a visually impressive package.

"Turbo" delivers an exhilarating, touching narrative of a small yet ambitious creature striving for greatness. Despite its familiar storyline, the movie is elevated by exceptional animation quality, strong voice acting, and a consistent, heartwarming message that resonates highly with audiences of all ages. The visuals are nothing short of stunning, showcasing the meticulous effort and skill of DreamWorks Animation, while the audio complements the riveting pace and emotional highs and lows of the plot seamlessly.

The Blu-ray release of "Turbo" truly shines in its technical excellence. The video quality is at reference level, with vibrant colors and remarkable clarity that brings every scene to life. Similarly, the audio presentation is impeccable, delivering clear dialogue, dynamic sound effects, and an engaging musical score that enhances the viewing experience. Special features included in this release are a mixed bag but provide decent value, primarily catering to younger audiences with their fun and interactive elements.

In conclusion, "Turbo" is a fun, action-packed, heartfelt journey perfect for children and enjoyable for adults alike. The film's sincere storytelling, paired with DreamWorks/Fox's outstanding Blu-ray release, makes it a worthwhile addition to any collection. With reference-quality video and audio, plus a satisfactory selection of extras, this release comes highly recommended for families and animation enthusiasts.