Early Man Blu-ray Review

"Early Man" presents an exemplary AVC encoded 1080p transfer in its theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, courtesy of Lionsgate Films. The production utilizes the Canon EOS-1D X camera, capturing at a high resolution of 5.2k and completed as a 4K digital intermediate, ensuring a sharp and detailed visual experience. Fine details are meticulously rendered, from Dug's intricate hair texture to the specifics of Nooth's tunic. The intricately crafted puppets and props pop with clarity, offering a palpable and almost tactile viewing experience.

The color palette is varied, featuring bold and vivid hues especially in the volcanic badlands sequences, while contrast and black levels are maintained at an impressive standard. This transfer ensures fluidity of motion synonymous with Aardman features, preserving the stop-motion animation's natural weight and presence. Notably, the detail extends to perceivable finger smudges on animated figures, pointing to the painstaking animating process that captures each frame's essence.

Overall, this Blu-ray edition delivers a fantastically clean video encoding with stable contrast contributing to a terrific sense of three-dimensional depth. However, it is worth mentioning that enthusiasts might crave a 4K Ultra HD release in the United States to further elevate this already excellent presentation.

The audio presentation of "Early Man" on Blu-ray is exemplary, featuring a detailed 7.1 Dolby TrueHD (Atmos core) mix that maximizes the surround platform with sonic clarity and crystalline dialog reproduction. Dynamic range and bass response are meticulously managed, ensuring thematic emphasis and resonating punch when necessary. The mix excels in its ability to integrate directional cues and supporting ambiance seamlessly across the listening environment, with the front and rear sound fields working harmoniously to render the soundtrack’s elements. The balance between aggressive and subtle surround sound application ensures an immersive and cohesive auditory experience.

The Dolby Atmos track is particularly impressive, with frequent engagement of traditional surround channels and intelligent use of Atmos channels. Memorable scenes, such as the asteroid's descent towards Earth and the bustling soccer arena, showcase this capability brilliantly. Additionally, source music fills the surround channels effectively, adding to the overall richness of the mix. While the vertical channels predominantly expand space and atmosphere rather than offering unique object activity, they contribute significantly to establishing an expansive soundstage. Dialogue remains consistently clear and precise, even during intense action sequences or chaotic crowd scenes, ensuring exceptional fidelity throughout.

In addition to its technical prowess, the Atmos mix complements the film's playful tone, adapting seamlessly to comedy elements and action alike. From the introductory "Dawn of Time" scene to stadium-packed moments, the audio track enhances the narrative's humor and excitement. The score by Harry Gregson-Williams and Tom Howe further elevates the mix, adding dynamism to key events while maintaining coherence throughout. This combination results in a superbly crafted audio experience that aligns perfectly with the film’s quirky charm.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Early Man" provide a concise yet engaging glimpse into the film's production process. Though the bonus features are somewhat limited, they deliver a valuable behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and effort that went into creating this stop-motion animation. Each featurette offers unique insights, from crafting the story and characters to the intricate model building and comedic elements. However, a commentary track from Nick Park would have enriched the overall experience by providing more in-depth perspectives.

Extras included in this disc:

• Before the Beginning of Time: Creating Early Man: An enjoyable featurette with interviews and live-action footage.
• Nick Park: Massaging the Funny: Insights from Aardman team members on the film’s comedic elements.
• The Valley Meets the Bronze: Covers production design and model building with basic plot recaps.
• Hanging at Aardman Studios: A Workshop Exploration: Fun, behind-the-scenes look at puppet crafting and voice actor comments.

"Early Man," directed by Nick Park, is a stop-motion animated film that offers a blend of whimsical humor and a predictable underdog sports narrative. The storyline centers on Dug, a young caveman voiced by Eddie Redmayne, and his tribe as they challenge the Bronze Age warriors in a football (soccer) match to reclaim their beloved valley. Dug's nemesis is the hilariously pompous Lord Nooth, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, whose exaggerated antics are reminiscent of classic Aardman character tropes. While the plot is rudimentary and adheres to well-worn sports movie cliches, the film excels with its charm, humor, and meticulous stop-motion animation.

The specificity of British humor is both a strength and a potential barrier; long-time fans of Aardman will appreciate the intricate jokes and cultural references, whereas it might pass over less attentive viewers. The film opens with an amusing prehistory montage that leads to the invention of football, setting a lighthearted and absurd tone. The visual gags, including giant beetles as electric razors and slapstick sequences, maintain the movie's comedic momentum. Voice performances, particularly from Redmayne and Hiddleston, add substantial character depth and drive the narrative forward effectively.

Technically, "Early Man" stands out in its fidelity to the stop-motion craft. Over five years in the making, the attention to detail in model crafting and visual storytelling is evident. Though not on par with Aardman's masterpieces like "Wallace & Gromit" or "Chicken Run," the film offers significant entertainment value through its lovable puppets and Harryhausen-esque creature cameos. Despite its simplistic storyline, the film's delivery ensures consistent laughter and engagement throughout its 89-minute runtime, making it a welcome addition to Aardman's storied filmography.

"Early Man" on Blu-ray exemplifies Aardman’s signature charm and distinctive animation style. Known for their stop-motion excellence, Nick Park and his team once again bring a cast of wonderfully distinctive characters to life with humor and heart. "Early Man" may not hit the peak of sports-themed movies but offers good laughs and a warm narrative that Aardman fans will appreciate. Despite its initial release overlapping with blockbuster competitors, it stands out as a worthy entry in the studio's catalog.

Lionsgate’s Blu-ray release of "Early Man" boasts a stellar A/V presentation. The picture is crystal clear, and the sound quality takes full advantage of the sonic range offered by Dolby Atmos, creating an immersive viewing experience. The animation is bright and finely detailed, making every scene pop with vibrancy. While some might find the bonus features lacking in quantity, they make up for it in quality, providing insights into the film’s creation process and enriching the overall package.

In conclusion, while "Early Man" may not be Aardman’s best effort, it remains a delightful and entertaining film that showcases the studio’s unique talents. Lionsgate’s Blu-ray release ensures that both video and audio aspects are top-notch, ensuring that it is a valuable addition to any collection. For fans of stop-motion animation and Aardman’s whimsical storytelling, this Blu-ray is highly recommended.