Ratchet & Clank Blu-ray Review

The 1080p transfer of "Ratchet & Clank" on Blu-ray is an exemplary showcase of animated textures and minute details. Utilizing a 1080P MPEG-4 AVC encode, the presentation excels with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio that captures the fine details consistently. The quality of the image is extraordinarily clear and crisp, highlighting elements such as metallic surfaces on Clank and Victor Von Ion, and the meshy fabric on Captain Qwark’s uniform. Even more minute details, like the leathery textures on Ratchet’s clothing and the intricate depiction of his fur, are rendered with impeccable proficiency. Colors are vivid and dazzling—Qwark's green, enemy red, Lombax yellow—all pop off the screen. Furthermore, black levels are perfectly deep, with banding appearing in extremely fine traces, making it nearly imperceptible.

This transfer stands out for its excellent color reproduction across diverse environments, with multiple planets each having their own distinct color palette—from the bluish greens of Pokitaru to the brown and purple hues of Veldin and the whitish greens and blues of Nebula. This vividness enriches the mythology and world-building inherent to the "Ratchet & Clank" franchise. While the transfer matches some of the best detail work reminiscent of DreamWorks' animation quality, it falls slightly short in dimensionality when compared to superior transfers like those seen in "Big Hero Six" or "Inside Out." The slight lack of three-dimensionality can be noticeable at times but does not detract heavily from the overall experience. Ultimately, this well-executed transfer offers a vivid, vibrant viewing experience that appeals to both kids and adults alike.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack of "Ratchet & Clank" is truly a triumph in audio engineering, delivering a high-quality, reference-grade experience that matches its outstanding 1080p video. Despite lacking additional rear or overhead channels, the coverage is comprehensive and immersive. You'll find the precise and seamless audio imaging remarkable as space ships and laser gunfire fluidly travel from front to back, left to right. The soundtrack's intricate detailing captures clanking metal sounds with realism, while the frequent activity in the surrounds bolsters both the minor atmospherics and the grandeur of action scenes, leading to an engaging and lifelike auditory experience.

The track excels further with its expansive score that permeates all channels, creating a full 360-degree field of sound that envelops the viewer. Bass response from the LFE track is notably powerful, adding depth and impact—particularly evident during high-energy moments such as Ratchet’s ship entering hyper speed, which can make your walls vibrate. Scenes like the Ranger tryouts celebration showcase lively music, crowd chatter, and fireworks blending seamlessly and perfectly in harmony, marking it a reference-quality moment. Dialogue is consistently delivered with center focus, ensuring clarity and prioritization are maintained throughout. This dynamic audio track generates richly robust bass lines and vigorous vocal delivery, ensuring a compelling listening experience from start to finish.

Overall, this audio track stands as one of the most active and technically accomplished offerings available. Its dynamic range and constant engagement of surrounds and subwoofer render this Blu-ray's audio presentation nothing short of extraordinary. It's an exemplary soundscape that audiophiles and casual viewers alike would be proud to have in their collection.

The Blu-ray edition of "Ratchet & Clank" offers a concise collection of extras that provide insights into the film's creation and its connection to the video game series. The supplements are brief yet informative, highlighting the major aspects of character development and the adaptation process from game to movie. "Ratchet & Clank: A Hero’s Journey" provides a perspective from the cast and crew about character growth, while "Ratchet & Clank: Leveling Up" delves into the movie's structure and its intricate relationship with the PS4 game. Additionally, the package includes a DVD copy and a code for a digital version via UV/iTunes.

Extras included in this disc:

• Ratchet & Clank: A Hero's Journey: Cast and crew discuss Ratchet's character development.
• Ratchet & Clank: Leveling Up: Explores the transition from game to movie and includes game highlights.
• Previews: Additional Universal titles.

The "Ratchet & Clank" movie, despite its notable polish and high-end digital animation, fell short of box office success, failing to recoup its modest $20 million budget. The film, adapted from the beloved PlayStation 2 platforming series, features a plot that caters primarily to fans of the original games. The story follows Ratchet, a Lombax mechanic dreaming of joining the Galactic Rangers, as he teams up with the tiny robot Clank to thwart the evil plans of Chairman Drek and Dr. Nefarious. Despite a strong voice cast that includes Paul Giamatti, Armin Shimerman, and Jim Ward, the narrative borrows heavily from familiar sci-fi tropes, resulting in a somewhat unoriginal storyline that lacks a distinctive voice. Nevertheless, the movie delivers enjoyable moments of comedy, exciting action sequences, and quality character camaraderie.

In terms of character development, the film stays true to its gaming roots. Ratchet and Clank's dynamic remains consistent with the games, offering little new for seasoned fans but capturing the charm that made the characters beloved initially. The supporting cast also adds depth; with Captain Qwark’s exaggerated machismo and Elaris' intellectual prowess providing balanced humor and strategic elements. However, the film's slavish adherence to the source material sparks criticism about lacking new creative contributions. Scenes are practically lifted directly from the concurrent game release, making it evident that this cinematic outing prioritizes brand synergy over narrative innovation.

Technically, "Ratchet & Clank" excels with stellar animation quality that matches recent digital blockbusters. The environments are richly detailed, and familiar in-game elements like bolt and ammo crates populate the scenery, enhancing the nostalgic appeal for gamers. Despite this impressive craftsmanship, it is perplexing why such a well-executed film didn’t perform better commercially. In conclusion, while "Ratchet & Clank" may not break new ground or offer substantial narrative depth, it stands as a visually appealing and entertaining homage to its video game origins.

"Ratchet & Clank" delivers an undeniably compelling visual and auditory experience that brings the beloved game franchise to life on Blu-ray. Universal has done justice to the film's digital construction, producing spectacular picture quality characterized by vibrant colors and crisp detailing, aligned perfectly with the top-notch sound design. From a technical perspective, this Blu-ray excels and is a testament to high-quality home entertainment. Fans of the game will appreciate the faithful portrayal of characters, iconic humor, and delightful surprises like the cameo from Sly Cooper and a standout Wilhelm Scream moment. However, the sparse supplementary content leaves something to be desired.

Despite its technical prowess, "Ratchet & Clank" stumbles on narrative structure and character development, issues that may stem from either a rushed production schedule or lack of confidence from the studio, evidenced by its unfortunate release timing against major blockbusters like ‘Captain America: Civil War.’ This strategic misstep likely contributed to its disappointing box office performance. Even so, the film retains much of the charm that fans love about the video game series, particularly in its humorous elements and characterization. Chairman Drek's plotline remains engaging, albeit directly lifted from the game, indicating a potential missed opportunity for further creative expansion.

In conclusion, "Ratchet & Clank" on Blu-ray is an enjoyable ride packed with fantastic visuals and robust sound design, making it a worthy addition for fans of the franchise. While it falters in originality and depth, it compensates through its entertaining moments and nostalgic callbacks. The minimalistic supplementary content and missed developmental opportunities slightly mar the overall experience, suggesting it may not be for everyone. However, for those who cherish the game series or seek a fun, visually stunning movie night, this Blu-ray is still recommended.