Iron Sky Blu-ray Review

Iron Sky" arrives on Blu-ray via Entertainment One, boasting an AVC encoded 1080p transfer with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio that impressively showcases the film's unique visual aesthetics. Capturing the essence of its retro-futuristic narrative, the color palette predominantly navigates through shades of slate gray, complementing the film’s thematic undertones and setting. The considerable use of green screen in crafting the movie's environments lends a very particular look that is both intentionally artificial and visually cohesive. The presentation draws parallels with the visual approach of "300,", especially in its handling of texture and depth, albeit "Iron Sky" navigates a distinct thematic universe characterized by its neo-Nazi motifs and science fiction elements.

Detail resolution, especially in close-ups, is highlighted as a significant strength of this transfer. The intricate textures captured on character's faces and the meticulously designed props underscore the level of detail that the Blu-ray format is capable of delivering. However, despite the sometimes-textureless appearance of CGI-created sets and backgrounds, which contributes to an intended flat and smooth aesthetic reminiscent of "300," "Iron Sky" still maintains an overall sharpness and clarity in its visual presentation. This crisp quality ensures that the film's creative intentions are effectively communicated to the audience.

Despite a slight tilt towards desaturation, which aligns with the movie’s stylistic choices, this transfer refrains from heavy color grading post-production, favoring instead a more natural appearance within its chosen color scheme. This approach aids in maintaining differentiation without sacrificing the ambiance set by the film’s design. Though the desaturation might affect the vibrancy of midrange and wide shots, it doesn't detract from the visually appealing transfer that is likely to satisfy most videophiles seeking a distinctly sharp and clear viewing experience.

Iron Sky" comes to the home theater realm boasting an impressive lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack that favors the English language but doesn’t shy away from incorporating essential German dialogue, accompanied by English subtitles for a seamless viewing experience. The audio scape is enriched with an intriguing blend of sound effects that aren’t just auditory; they’re an integral part of the storytelling—spatial movement is captured with finesse, allowing spaceships to zoom past with a realism that can be felt, while the bass support from LFE channels provides an authoritative punch to the action-packed sequences. These elements harmonize to create an auditory experience that's as enthralling as it is immersive.

The dialogue in "Iron Sky" receives treatment that ensures clarity and presence, which is paramount in a visually driven narrative. It’s complemented by a score that pays homage to Richard Wagner—yet, audaciously ventures into new territories, flirting with disco undertones at times. This bold fusion not only showcases the film's unique flair but also accentuates its scenes with sonic depth and vibrancy. Audio fidelity is of the highest order, ensuring that each note and sound effect is rendered with pristine clarity.

The overall audio presentation of "Iron Sky" on Blu Ray stands out for its dynamic range and immersive qualities. From the detailed sound effects that add layers of depth to the action, to the wide dynamic range that captures the subtleties of the film’s score, every aspect of the soundtrack contributes to an enriching auditory experience. The technical consistency and creative sound mixing highlight the film’s atmospheric elements, demonstrating how high-quality audio can elevate the viewing experience from merely watching a film to being enveloped in its world.

The extra presentation of the Iron Sky Blu-ray offers a comprehensive and insightful look into the film’s production, notably focusing on the visual effects and the innovative use of green screen technology to manage costs efficiently, a testament to Producer Samuli Torssonen's supervision. Commentary from Torssonen and Director Timo Vuorensola provides valuable behind-the-scenes knowledge, although their Finnish accents may require attentive listening for clear understanding. The Making of Featurette delves into the crew's previous viral success and their infectious enthusiasm for this project shines through, despite occasional language barriers. Additional footage, including Behind the Scenes and various teasers alongside the theatrical trailer, enriches the viewing experience by showcasing the filmmaking process and promotional strategies employed to captivate audiences.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Producer Samuli Torssonen and Director Timo Vuorensola: Insight into visual effects and green screen use.
• Making of Featurette: Background on filmmakers' previous works and the genesis of Iron Sky.
• Behind the Scenes: Compilation of filming snippets, emphasizing green screen work.
• Theatrical Trailer: The official trailer.
• Teasers: Three promotional teasers for the film.

Iron Sky" launches the viewer into a fantastically twisted alternate reality with unbridled audacity, presenting a moon populated by Nazis plotting a terrestrial comeback, an idea as outrageous as it is brilliantly absurd. The film's setup merges historical what-ifs with satirical modern political scenarios, featuring an America under a Sarah Palin-like presidency eager for reelection gimmicks and a black model-turned-astronaut caught in lunar Nazi intrigues. The collision of these diametrically opposed worlds fosters a milieu ripe with potential humor, following in the footsteps of comic explorations of Nazi caricatures by predecessors like Chaplin and Brooks. Yet, despite its ambitious concept and some truly clever moments, the movie often veers into a realm of bewildering oddity, its humor not always hitting the mark it seemingly aims for, leaving audiences amused but somewhat perplexed.

As the story unfolds, with bizarre Nazi science and interplanetary politics taking center stage, the film introduces us to complex dynamics among its characters - notably between the captive astronaut, James Washington, and his captors and unlikely allies within the moon base. These interactions, alongside a critique veiled in slapstick and hyperbole, unveil societal and political commentaries that are at once sharp and obscured by the film's overwhelming quirkiness. Attempts to blend overt farce with nuanced satire offer mixed results, never quite stabilizing in tone or comedic impact.

The climax on Earth, where Nazi aesthetics and rhetoric are repackaged for mass appeal, reveals "Iron Sky's" most pointed commentary on the manipulability of public opinion and the absurdities of political spectacle. However, as events spiral into chaos, the film struggles with its own satirical weight, sometimes juxtaposing dark events with comedic aspirations incongruously. In its endeavor to meld high concept with high comedy, "Iron Sky" teeters on a precarious edge - its innovative premise and pointed moments of critique never fully coalescing into the comedic triumph it might have aimed to be. Its over-the-top nature, while initially captivating, ultimately detracts more than it adds to the film's wit and watchability.

Iron Sky" arrives on Blu-ray with a premise that brilliantly combines science fiction with political satire, though its execution is somewhat uneven. The film's attempt to balance humor with its unique narrative occasionally falters, suggesting a concept that might have been more compelling in its conceptual phase than in its final form. Despite these tonal inconsistencies, "Iron Sky" manages to entertain, primarily through its commendable production values. The CGI and green screen work are highlights, showcasing a level of prowess in visual design that supports the film’s ambitious narrative. However, the performances, while energetic, sometimes feel overemphasized, perhaps in an effort to navigate through the less polished aspects of the screenplay.

From a technical standpoint, the Blu-ray presentation of "Iron Sky" does justice to the film's visual and auditory aspects. The picture quality is crisp, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the detailed production design and sophisticated CGI landscapes that mark the film's visual appeal. The audio quality complements this visual excellence, with a well-mixed sound that enhances the overall viewing experience. These technical attributes contribute significantly to immersing viewers in the film’s distinctive world, even when the story’s pacing and tone waver.

In conclusion, while "Iron Sky" might not fully realize its comedic potential due to some narrative and tonal imbalances, its Blu-ray release is commendable for its high-quality visual and audio presentation. This enhances the viewing experience, ensuring that the film's impressive production design and CGI achievements are front and center. With sequels in development, there's hope that future entries will build on these strengths while addressing the shortcomings. As it stands, the Blu-ray edition of "Iron Sky" is recommended for its technical merits and for offering a glimpse into a daringly original cinematic world.