Underworld: Rise of the Lycans Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" showcases a slightly expanded widescreen 2.40:1 1080p transfer via the AVC MPEG-4 codec, aligning with high expectations for visual fidelity. While initial impressions reveal a stunning visual feast, closer inspection uncovers certain imperfections. The heavy post-processing aimed at crafting the signature 'Underworld' aesthetic sometimes detracts from the clarity, rendering the blues misty and introducing an artificial grain that occasionally blurs finer details, such as skin textures. These issues are sporadic though, and more often than not, the transfer impresses with its meticulous attention to detail—from the lycan fur to the intricate designs on vampire armor and surroundings, all framed by deep, enveloping blacks and stylized contrast that enhance the film's dark atmosphere without compromising on shadow detail or causing blooming.

Despite the predominantly blue hue imposed by digital color grading—which at times oversimplifies visual nuance—the image maintains a commendable level of detail and texture. This is accentuated by crisp and stable grain presence throughout, which avoids degenerating into distracting artifacting or banding, underscoring Sony's commitment to quality in their high-definition transfers. That said, finer points like digital noise and macro-blocking emerge under scrutiny, notably in dynamic sequences where the frenzied action should be a highlight. Such moments can disrupt the otherwise immersive experience, particularly for enthusiasts seeking to showcase their home theater capabilities with modern, visually driven titles.

In terms of technical prowess, aside from some instances of unavoidable crushing due to the stylized look, there are no glaring compression issues or edge enhancement to detract from enjoyment. The dark, stylized palette occasionally obscures minute details but generally supports the film's gothic tone without undermining overall visual clarity. The consistent contrast levels add depth and dimensionality, ensuring that despite its occasional flaws and a pervasive blue dominance, this transfer stands firmly alongside its predecessors in offering an appealing high-definition experience for fans and newcomers alike.

The audio experience provided by "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" on Blu-ray is a testament to the dynamic capability and immersive nature of its Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix, which often verges on sonic brilliance. Throughout, viewers are treated to a richly detailed soundstage that brings the medieval chaos vividly to life. From the deep, resonant bass that promises to challenge and delight any subwoofer, to the precise and enveloping surround effects—such as growls, sword clashes, and ambient environmental sounds—the track excels in pulling the listener into the midst of battle. However, while the low frequencies excel in depth and tightness, enhancing the action sequences with a palpable energy, they never sacrifice clarity for power.

The mix's dedication to creating an engaging auditory experience is further evidenced by its handling of dialogue and directional effects. Voices remain clear and distinct amidst the cacophony, although there are moments when quiet dialogue gets somewhat overshadowed by the surrounding mayhem; this was noted as a slight inconsistency but not a major detriment to the overall clarity. Directionality is precise, with auditory cues flawlessly aligned with on-screen events, allowing for seamless pans and a convincingly three-dimensional soundscape. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that every clashing sword and thundering hoof is not only heard but felt, drawing the viewer deeper into the film's world.

Despite the prowess displayed in crafting this immersive sonic environment, there are mild critiques to be noted. The final battle sequence seems to strain the mix slightly, causing some elements to lose their crisp distinction. This results in a marginal blurring of sounds where previously the delineation between each clash and roar was impeccably maintained. Nonetheless, these moments are few and do not substantially detract from what is overwhelmingly an exceptional audio presentation. Across its runtime, "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" demonstrates a commendable balance between the sheer force of its action sequences and the nuanced details that create a full-bodied and atmospheric listening experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" amalgamate a mix of deep dive commentaries, engaging behind-the-scenes looks, and a couple of novel yet non-essential features. Notably, the filmmakers' commentary stands out for its insightful, candid nature, offering an unparalleled deep dive into the movie's creation from the perspectives of the series' veterans such as Len Wiseman and Patrick Tatopoulos. The behind-the-scenes featurettes, notably "Recreating the Dark Ages" and "From Script to Screen", offer more than just cursory glances into the production, delivering genuinely interesting technical insights. However, some extras like "Lycanthropes Around the World Interactive Map" and the music video come off as lackluster. Noteworthy is the Blu-ray's exclusive Picture-in-Picture feature, "Behind the Castle Walls," which enriches the viewing experience with its plethora of production insights, making it a redeeming aspect of the package. Technical quality is consistently high across the board, but user interface issues like intrusive pop-up texts during menu navigation mar an otherwise slick presentation.

Extras included in this disc:

Filmmakers' Commentary: Insightful comments from director Patrick Tatopoulos and producers.

From Script to Screen: Behind-the-scenes look at film's development and New Zealand shoot.

The Origin of the Feud: Exploration of series lore and character motivations.

Recreating the Dark Ages: Discussion on production design and practical effects.

Music Video: Deathclub (Wes Borland/Renholder Remix): Promotion for the film.

Behind the Castle Walls: Picture-in-Picture track with cast and crew interviews.

Lycanthropes Around the World Interactive Map: An interactive feature exploring werewolf lore.

Cinechat: Send instant messages to friends while watching the film.

BD-Live Functionality

Digital Copy Bonus Disc: For portable media viewing.

"Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" delves into the genesis of the eternal feud between vampires and werewolves, tracing its roots back to a turbulent and dark medieval setting. Despite criticisms surrounding its predictability and what some may perceive as a lack of originality, the film manages to find its footing by embracing its heritage with unashamed enthusiasm. The narrative pivots around Lucian (Michael Sheen), a Lycan who defies his enslavement under the vampire overlord Viktor (Bill Nighy), marking a pivotal moment in the lore that fans of the franchise will appreciate for its depth and exploration of character dynamics. This backstory offers a more emotive context to the bloodthirsty saga, enriched by strong performances from Sheen and Nighy, whose portrayals lend gravitas to the supernatural drama unfolding within a well-crafted medieval aesthetic.

The production, now under Patrick Tatopoulos, shifts away from the sleek, modern veneer of its predecessors towards a more grounded and gritty representation of the Underworld universe. Despite its deviation from high-adrenaline action sequences to focus on a more story-driven approach, the prequel succeeds in generating significant interest and emotional investment in its central characters, especially through the tragic love story between Lucian and Sonja (Rhona Mitra). The film's visual and audio presentation on Blu-ray is commendable, offering an immersive experience despite some criticisms of its extras. However, what really stands out is how it recontextualizes previous entries in the series, providing a richer backdrop against which the perpetual conflict between vampires and Lycans is cast.

Though "Rise of the Lycans" may not entirely escape the shadow of its lineage, facing critiques for a somewhat derivative execution and moments of rhetorical drama, it undeniably contributes meaningful layers to the Underworld saga. The prequel's gravitation towards character development and a deeper dive into the series' mythology — coupled with a more pronounced emphasis on horror over action — distinguishes it as a significant, though polarizing, entry. As it revisits the origins of its iconic conflict with substantial narrative substance and resonant emotional beats, it ensures that even amid familiar tropes and theatrics, the saga's heart beats with renewed vigor, enticing both stalwarts and critics into its dark embrace once more.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" has generated mixed reviews, reflecting a divide between fans of the series and those who are less enthused by its narrative and stylistic choices. Despite differing opinions on the film's content, there is a consensus regarding the technical quality of this release. The 2-disc edition is lauded for its exceptional video transfer and robust TrueHD audio track, offering a compelling viewing experience on various high-end setups including JVC DLA-RS20 1080p High Definition Front Projectors and an array of players from Panasonic, Sony, and Oppo, among others. The complementary use of Canton Ergo Series and Axiom Audio QS8 speakers with high-quality cabling from brands like Wireworld and Audioquest facilitates an immersive audio experience that pairs well with the visually striking transfer.

Supplemental materials are plentiful and enhance the viewing experience with an exclusive Picture-in-Picture (PiP) experience leading the pack, alongside other significant extras that fans of the saga will find engaging and informative. The technical aspects of this release have been carefully considered, ensuring compatibility and optimized performance across a variety of high-end home theater configurations, including advanced power conditioning and surge protection from APC AV S15BLK and cooling solutions from Cool Components, thus ensuring an uninterrupted and peak-performance playback experience.

In conclusion, while "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" may not win over new converts to the franchise and has certainly polarized audiences due to its storytelling approach and character development, the Blu-ray release itself stands out as a technically superior product. Fans of the series are encouraged to add this to their collection, assured by the high-quality video and audio presentation, and a suite of informative supplements. The meticulous care in the physical presentation reaffirms Sony's commitment to delivering outstanding home video experiences for its catalog titles, making it a commendable addition for enthusiasts seeking the finest in home cinema fidelity.