Vixen: The Movie Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Vixen: The Movie" on Blu-ray follows a familiar pattern found in Warner Bros.' DC animated films, offering a visually appealing experience with some technical shortcomings. The animation style is comparable to the New 52 universe, featuring well-saturated dark greens, blues, golds, and Flash’s maroon red that stand out nicely despite a generally dim color palette. This stylistic choice complements the night-time settings where much of the action occurs, lending a distinct mood to the film. Character designs are clear and free of jagged lines, with impressive fine detail apparent in close-ups.

However, persistent color banding mars the visual appeal, a recurring issue in DC's animated releases. This problem is particularly aggressive in "Vixen," detracting from an otherwise well-done Blu-ray presentation. The 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer adequately renders outlines and colors but falls short of delivering any eye-catching technical brilliance. The palette is often drab, with only superhero costumes and special power effects providing bursts of vibrant hues. Additionally, Warner's habitual reliance on low bitrates—averaging 15.06 Mbps—does not help, leaving over 9 GBs of space unused on the BD-25. This decision compromises the overall sharpness and vibrancy we might otherwise expect from such releases.

In summary, while "Vixen: The Movie" provides solid animation fidelity and commendable color saturation within its genre constraints, it is let down by significant banding issues and a conservative encoding approach. For fans of Warner Bros.' DC animated films, the visual presentation is consistent with previous experiences—adequate but shy of extraordinary.

The audio presentation of "Vixen: The Movie" on Blu-Ray, encoded in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, delivers a thoroughly engaging experience consistent with other titles in the animated DC Universe. This soundtrack expertly balances quiet dialogue passages with moments of intense action, providing clear and well-localized dialogue throughout. Every spoken word, whether in hushed tones or intense confrontations, is easy to understand and intentionally prioritized. Nathaniel Blume and Blake Neely, regulars in the Arrowverse, craft a dynamic score that enhances the sense of scale and intensity of the on-screen action, seamlessly meshing with the film’s thematic elements.

In addition to its impeccable balance and clarity, the audio track excels in offering an immersive soundscape. Effects during villain attacks and hero defenses are bombastic and detailed, effectively pulling audiences into the action. Ambient sounds, though used sparingly, are strategically placed to underscore key scenes, providing a well-rounded auditory environment that supports both dramatic and high-octane sequences. The 5.1 mix ensures that all audio elements, from stirring musical cues to explosive sound effects, coalesce into a cohesive and captivating auditory experience.

The Blu-ray release of "Vixen: The Movie" offers a focused look into the character through well-selected extras, though quantity is not remarkable. These extras provide insights into the creative process and afford the audience a deeper understanding of the character’s place within the DC universe. The "Vixen: Spirit Animal" featurette includes perspectives from Executive Producer Marc Guggenheim, comic book historian Alan Kistler, and voice actors Victor Garber and Carlos Valdes, adding substantial value. Also included are Bruce Timm's top picks of two episodes from "Justice League Unlimited," which serve as an excellent contextual backdrop for Vixen's narrative. Although the overall extras are on the slimmer side, what is available is well-curated and engaging for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Vixen: Spirit Animal: Featuring Marc Guggenheim, Alan Kistler, and various voice actors.
• Bruce Timm's Top Picks:
  • Episode from Justice League Unlimited, "Hunter's Moon"
  • Episode from Justice League Unlimited, "Grudge Match"

"Vixen: The Movie" amalgamates two seasons of six-episode webisodes, presenting a dynamic yet congested narrative. This direct-to-video film, originating from The CW's streaming platform CW Seed, traces Mari McCabe’s (voiced by Megalyn Echikunwoke) journey. Mari, raised in Detroit after being orphaned in Africa, discovers her ancestral Tantu Totem, a mystical amulet that grants her animal powers. As she navigates her newfound abilities, she finds herself ensnared in a complex web of adversaries, including her sister Kuasa (Anika Noni Rose) and warlord Benatu Eshu (Hakeem Kae-Kazim), who covet the powerful totem.

The plot attempts to weave various arcs, from Mari's origin to confrontations with both the Arrow (Stephen Amell) and The Flash (Grant Gustin), but suffers from its original episodic fragmentation. The movie struggles to maintain a cohesive flow, creating an experience akin to binge-watching fast-paced, short episodes without adequate development for each storyline. The character cameos from the Arrowverse, though adding star power, inadvertently dilute Mari's narrative focus, undermining her standalone presence.

Despite these shortcomings, "Vixen: The Movie" retains notable strengths. The voice acting, predominantly by the actors from the Arrow and Flash series, lends an authentic touch to the interconnected universe. However, the performances vary, with Megalyn Echikunwoke standing out as she expands on her brief live-action portrayal. The film's Saturday morning cartoon ambiance offers light-hearted entertainment divergent from darker DC animations, even if it sacrifices depth for a brisk pace. Rated TV-PG, this feature remains a decent, albeit uneven addition to the DC animated portfolio.

"Vixen: The Movie" is a delightful addition to the DC animated universe, diverging from the New 52 continuity and standing as a unique side venture. The movie's narrative is a bit fragmented, hopping between stories in a somewhat rushed manner. However, the energy and passion infused in the storyline make it an engaging watch. The Blu-Ray release comes in a more premium slipBOX rather than the standard slipcover, enhancing its visual appeal. Unfortunately, it lacks a collector’s edition that includes action figures, a feature that has accompanied some of the previous DC releases.

In terms of technical specifications, "Vixen: The Movie" maintains a solid performance. The video quality is crisp and clear with a 1.78:1 AVC aspect ratio, and the audio is robust with English DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound. While the extras included in this Blu-ray release are minimal, they do offer some additional insights into the making of the film but are not extensive enough to drive a purchase solely for special features.

Conclusively, "Vixen: The Movie" offers an enjoyable experience for DC fans, though it may feel somewhat disjointed due to its episodic origins. The technical presentation on Blu-ray is commendable, consistent with Warner Brothers' standards for animated releases. However, given the limited extras and the lack of a collector’s edition, this Blu-ray might be better suited for rental rather than purchase.