Despicable Me Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Despicable Me" boasts a top-tier video transfer, ensuring an exceptional viewing experience. Encoded in 1080p with MPEG-4 AVC at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the animation shines with razor-sharp delineation and crystal-clear fine details. The textures of various materials, such as velvet jackets and metallized tanks, are rendered with meticulous precision. Colors are vibrant and rich in saturation, although slightly over-the-top at times, offering a delightful palette ranging from deep reds and bright blues to vivid greens. The contrast is robust and well-balanced; whites are crisp, blacks are deep, and shadow details are impeccably maintained throughout, contributing to an overall luscious depth and three-dimensionality in the mid-range and long shots.

The visuals are further enhanced by the pristine quality of the digital transfer, unmarred by common issues such as artifacting, noise, or compression anomalies. Each frame pops with extraordinary clarity, free from banding and aliasing. In action-packed sequences, like Gru's rocket car chase or the amusement park fun-fair, the image remains sharp with a striking sense of detail. The encoding ensures that even the most intricate elements, like individual blades of grass or the candy floss at the fun fair, are vividly captured. The consistent depth of color and immaculate rendering make this Blu-ray presentation stand out, providing an immersive viewing experience that leverages every bit of BD’s potential.

Overall, "Despicable Me" on Blu-ray offers a near-perfect video presentation. It is as polished as it is pristine, with no flaws to detract from its exemplary transfer. It easily ranks among the top animations of its time and delivers a demo-worthy experience that will captivate any audience from start to finish.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track of "Despicable Me" is a formidable complement to its stunning video presentation. It opens strong with a weighty intro score, featuring loud and lively elements that hook the viewer instantly. Vocals are crystal clear, locked centrally, and never difficult to follow. Stereo separation stands out with exceptional directionality during high-energy scenes like Gru’s aerial battle and the assault on Vector's fortress, placing the viewer squarely at the center of the action. The mix judiciously applies rear channel ambiance, ensuring that directional cues are playful yet convincingly placed within the soundstage.

A key element of this track is the dominating LFE channel, which actively engages throughout, delivering an extended, punchy, and clean bass response. This not only enhances explosive moments such as missile launches and the collapse of the inflatable pyramid but also enriches quieter, more dialogue-driven scenes between Gru and his girls. The bass frequencies are so powerful they can be felt rather than just heard, giving a thundering sense of realism. Despite some minor critique about periodic front-heavy presentations, the overall sound experience remains highly immersive and satisfying.

The musical score by Pharrell Williams and Heitor Pereira makes comprehensive use of the entire soundfield. Although somewhat clichéd at points, it still manages to contribute effectively to the surround experience with well-placed orchestral portions. Ambient sounds, particularly during scenes set at the amusement park or amidst the bustling Minion gatherings, are realistically rendered, effectively placing the listener in dynamic settings. Dialogue remains crisp and clear throughout, regardless of how tumultuous or serene the scene may be. In essence, this DTS-HD Master Audio track is marvelously executed and poised to delight even the most discerning audio enthusiasts.

The special features in the Blu-ray release of "Despicable Me" are abundant, though some elements might cater more to children than a general audience. The directors' commentary is rich with insights into the film’s design and CGI, but the frequent Minion interruptions can be distracting. The Gru-Control mode offers an interactive viewing but might come off as redundant after a while. There are several short yet entertaining mini-movies featuring the beloved Minions, and various behind-the-scenes featurettes give a detailed look into the film's production and voice acting process. The inclusion of games and recipes offers additional engagement for younger viewers, though not all the interactive content maintains high entertainment value. Overall, a comprehensive package with something for everyone, albeit more appealing to a younger demographic.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary: Directors Renaud & Coffin with Minion interruptions.

Gru Control: Interactive movie-watching experience with Minions.

Despicable Me Mini-Movies: Three short films - Home Makeover, Orientation Day, and Banana.

The Voices of Despicable Me: Behind-the-scenes look at the voice actors.

The World of Despicable Me: Interviews and insights on the movie’s creation.

Despicable Beats: Pharrell Williams discusses the score production.

Super Silly Fun Land: Three interactive carnival games.

Gru’s Rocket Builder: Interactive geography-based game.

Miss Hattie’s Top Secret Cookie Recipes: Five text-based recipes for cookies.

A Global Effort: Featurette on the film's international production team.

Despicable Me Game Trailers: Previews for the related video games and apps.

Pocket Blu Mobile Features BD-Live Functionality My Scenes Bookmarking Digital Copy Bonus DVD

"Despicable Me," helmed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud, introduces audiences to the world's most despicable supervillain, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell). Gru, alongside his Minions, embarks on a grand scheme to steal the moon, only to have his efforts thwarted by newcomer Vector (Jason Segel). Seeking unconventional means to infiltrate Vector's lair, Gru adopts three orphaned girls whose cookie-selling skills prove instrumental. As Gru develops unexpected affection for the girls, he grapples with the choice between continuing his reign of villainy or embracing the role of a father. The film's premise is compelling and filled with sharp humor, bolstered by strong character development and memorable voice performances from a talented cast.

Technically, "Despicable Me" excels in its CGI execution, showcasing advancements in animation that rival the industry's top studios. Although it doesn’t break new ground in storytelling within the animation genre and occasionally suffers from minor pacing issues, its visual presentation on Blu-ray is impeccable. The video quality is crisp and vibrant, fully exploiting the capabilities of the medium. The soundtrack complements the visual spectacle with an overall impressive surround track, despite occasional front-heavy scenes.

The character dynamics are particularly engaging, with Gru's evolution from a heartless villain to a compassionate father coming across as genuine and endearing. Supporting characters such as Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand), Gru's mother (Julie Andrews), and the Minions add depth and humor, rounding out the narrative effectively. Despite not reaching the emotional heights of films like Pixar's "Up" or "Toy Story 3," "Despicable Me" delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience that resonates with both kids and adults. While it may lack the staying power of an instant classic, it remains a worthy contender in the animated film landscape, reflecting Illumination Entertainment's potential to rise as a formidable player in animation.

"Despicable Me" marks an impressive debut for Illumination Entertainment, presenting a film that is both fast-paced and wonderfully humorous. The plot centers around a villain whose journey is surprisingly endearing, making it relatable to audiences of all ages. Universal’s Blu-ray release shines technically, boasting a superb video encode and a flawless DTS-HD Master Audio track. While the range of supplemental content may leave some wanting, the overall package is strong enough to satisfy even the most discerning home theater enthusiasts.

The Blu-ray edition is designed to cater to varying viewer preferences, featuring stunning demo-quality video and audio. The three-disc set includes a substantial amount of bonus content, though it may not fully meet the expectations of those who seek exhaustive behind-the-scenes material. Regardless, as a family-friendly movie, "Despicable Me" easily makes a compelling addition to any collection. It performs well in both picture and sound, ensuring an immersive experience that enhances the film’s vibrant animation and charming character interactions.

In conclusion, "Despicable Me" stands out as a must-have Blu-ray that transcends mere family entertainment. It is a delightful film that appeals to broad audiences with its engaging storyline and technical excellence. Whether you have children or are simply a fan of well-crafted animation, acquiring this Blu-ray is an unequivocal recommendation. Illumination Entertainment has set a high bar with their debut, sparking anticipation for their future projects.