Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Blu-ray Review

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" is showcased on Blu-ray by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This digital presentation excels in delivering breathtaking realism, particularly in the detailed rendering of the various simian characters. The fur of the apes, intricate sets, and human costumes exhibit exceptional fine detail. Despite the film's generally muted color palette—characterized by dark greens and browns indicative of its post-apocalyptic, rainy San Francisco and Muir Woods settings—the overall resolution remains impressive. Midrange and close-up shots are remarkably clear, capturing subtle details even during large group scenes.

The film's predominantly gloomy aesthetic does not compromise its visual quality. While the palette favors earth tones, moments of color pop through elements like verdant moss and glowing gas station signage, which vividly highlight the film's excellent black levels and depth. Even during night sequences, such as those at the gas station and scenes illuminated by large fires, black levels are well-rendered, although occasionally they fall short of deepness expected in modern Blu-ray releases. Minor imperfections such as fleeting instances of banding and very slight visual noise are present but do not significantly detract from the overall near-reference quality experience.

Notable technical details include a Bitrate at 23 Mbps and a 50GB dual-layer disc capacity. The overall clarity—heightened in scenes showcasing hundreds of apes—extends three-dimensionally down city streets. Despite some murky color reproduction aligning with the narrative's bleak setting, skin tones, both human and ape, maintain realistic and well-balanced appearances. Absence of noise or artifact issues further guarantees an immersive viewing experience. This Blu-ray presentation stands as a robust visual offering, adeptly housing a digital film within an engaging and technically proficient format.

The audio presentation of "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" on Blu-ray is nothing short of exemplary, showcasing a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix that excels in both forcefulness and subtlety. From the onset, the track delivers thundering LFE that adds palpable excitement to various scenes, complemented by intricately placed sound effects that recreate immersive environments such as rain-soaked forests and roaring wildfires. Dialogue remains clear and well-delineated throughout, with forced subtitles aiding the interpretation of apes' sign language. Michael Giacchino's dynamic score is seamlessly integrated across the surround channels, providing both nostalgic and contemporary thematic elements that enhance key moments. The fidelity is pristine, and the dynamic range is impressively wide, making for a flawless auditory experience.

Despite the absence of Dolby Atmos, the 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track impressively stands its ground, delivering a reference-quality sound mix that shines through action-packed sequences and serene forest moments alike. The soundscape is richly layered, capturing minute details such as the gentle patter of rain on leaves, which transports the listener to a forest setting. The LFE is tight and impactful, never becoming overwhelming, while the surround effects panning is aggressive, enveloping the viewer in a 360-degree sound field. Giacchino's orchestral score further distinguishes itself by creating new, evocative themes that complement the franchise’s origins.

The dynamics of this audio track are nothing short of impressive. Elements such as thunderous bass during action sequences, and ambient wilderness sounds like those of a bustling forest, contribute to an encompassing auditory experience. Key sound effects like gunfire, explosions, and Caesar’s commanding voice are reproduced with stunning clarity. The surround sound presentation is meticulously arranged, ensuring that every detail—from bullets ricocheting to the ambient noise of rain—envelops the listener in a vivid acoustic environment. Dialogue reproduction is consistently clear and intelligible, allowing for an engaging experience without the need for straining to catch whispered lines.

The Blu-ray of "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" excels in its comprehensive and meticulously crafted special features, making it an essential for fans. Almost two hours of extras provide deep insights into the film's production and the technology behind it. Highlighting the pivotal role of Andy Serkis and the advanced motion capture techniques, these extras offer compelling content for enthusiasts of behind-the-scenes filmmaking. The audio commentary by director Matt Reeves stands out with its blend of technical details and engaging anecdotes, making it a rich resource for understanding the film's development. Overall, this Blu-ray delivers an immersive experience into the world of "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," encapsulating both the narrative and technical complexities of the film.

Extras included in this disc:

Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Matt Reeves: Three brief scenes offering additional context.

Journey to Dawn: Insights into building the franchise and interviews including Andy Serkis.

Andy Serkis: Rediscovering Caesar: Focuses on Serkis and the motion capture technology.

Humans and Apes: The Cast of Dawn: Analysis of the plot and character roles.

The World of Dawn: Examination of production design and location creation.

The Ape Community: Exploration of the apes' society and their interactions.

Move Like an Ape: An Artist's Medium: Detailed look at motion capture and rendering.

Weta and Dawn: Profiles Weta's visual effects work on the film.

The Fight for a New Dawn: Focus on fight choreography and rehearsal process.

Audio Commentary by Matt Reeves: Detailed technical and anecdotal insights from the director.

Gallery includes:

• Concept Art
• Characters
• Costumes
• Props

Theatrical Trailers: Collection of three trailers.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," directed by Matt Reeves, brilliantly furthers the "Planet of the Apes" reboot series. Set ten years after the events of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," the film explores a post-pandemic world where the super-intelligent Caesar and his ape society thrive in the forests north of San Francisco. The story charts the apes' encounter with human survivors desperately seeking to restore power from a hydro plant. This yearned-for cooperation is jeopardized by both human distrust, embodied by Gary Oldman’s Dreyfus and Kirk Acevedo’s Carver, and Koba’s deep-seated trauma among the apes. The nuanced progression of human-ape tensions, exacerbated by contrasting leadership styles between Caesar and Malcolm (Jason Clarke) versus Koba and Dreyfus, offers a compelling narrative that transcends its sci-fi origins.

The film’s technical achievements are remarkable, leveraging state-of-the-art visual effects by Weta Digital and seamless motion capture performances led by Andy Serkis as Caesar. These effects render the apes almost photorealistic, creating a believably immersive world. While the human characters have standard archetypal roles, their interactions with the apes add necessary emotional depth. Keri Russell’s portrayal of Ellie alongside Kodi Smit-McPhee’s Alexander introduces poignant familial dynamics mirroring those within Caesar’s own family. However, the human storyline could benefit from richer integration within the plot's forward momentum rather than leaning heavily on backstory exposition.

In terms of direction, Matt Reeves navigates the franchise with finesse, achieving a blend of high-stakes action and heartfelt character development. His ability to meet tight production timelines without compromising on quality is noteworthy. Yet, the absence of robust female character roles and occasional CGI inconsistencies are areas for potential improvement. Despite minor flaws, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" exemplifies adept blockbuster filmmaking, smartly balancing spectacular visuals with resonant themes, ensuring its place as a memorable continuation in the franchise.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" is an exceptional Blu-ray release that effortlessly combines epic storytelling with intimate character work. Andy Serkis' motion capture performance as Caesar stands out as a monumental achievement, vividly bringing the character to life and often overshadowing his human co-actors. The film's narrative is compelling, with inventive takes on the Apes canon that add depth to the franchise. This combination of emotional storytelling and groundbreaking technical proficiency makes the movie an engrossing experience.

The Blu-ray's technical merits are impeccable. The video quality is superb, delivering photorealistic visual effects that immerse the viewer in a post-apocalyptic world teeming with detail. The 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mix is of reference quality, heightening the suspense and action sequences with nuanced precision. The inclusion of comprehensive HD-exclusive bonus materials adds substantial value to this release, making it a must-have for enthusiasts and collectors.

In conclusion, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" manages to be both epic and intimate, and it very smartly plays with Apes canon in some inventive ways. Andy Serkis' motion capture performance is nothing less than amazing, and in fact overpowers some of the real humans on screen. But as daunting as this film's technical achievements inarguably are, it's the actual storytelling that makes Dawn of the Planet of the Apes a morning worth experiencing. Technical merits are first rate, the supplementary package is excellent, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes comes Highly recommended.