Rise of the Planet of the Apes Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" delivers an exceptional high-definition video experience sure to satisfy both cinephiles and tech enthusiasts. The film's 35mm footage has been faithfully preserved in a 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer, maintaining its natural filmic texture free from intrusive noise reduction or edge enhancement. The result is a lifelike, richly detailed visual landscape with remarkable clarity. You can expect a near-infinite dimensional perspective, allowing for highly refined close-ups that reveal intricate details in facial features and textures. WETA Workshop's CGI creations appear particularly impressive, showcasing individual hairs and photo-realistic designs that integrate seamlessly into the live-action environment.

Colors on this disc are outstanding, offering rich saturation with glowing skin tones and vibrant primaries, including deep forest greens and punchy contrast levels. The aspect ratio of 2.35:1 is utilized effectively, creating immersive storytelling visuals, especially during the many magic hour sequences set in Muir Woods. Blacks are notably deep and gradational, enriching scenes with layered darkness, such as the prison cell sequences. Even in scenes with potential for compression issues like dark interiors or fog over the Golden Gate Bridge, there are no evident artifact problems. This meticulous attention to quality ensures that soft-focus elements are minimal and largely attributable to digital compositing rather than the transfer.

Overall, this release stands as an exemplary demonstration of Blu-ray capabilities, offering stunning detail and sharpness across various visual elements. The fidelity to the original 35mm stock ensures that every frame is a test of high-definition excellence, making it a near-perfect reference-quality presentation. The care taken in balancing vivid color rendering and deep black levels further solidifies this edition as a Grade-A transfer for one of the year's standout films.

The audio presentation of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" on Blu-ray is a masterclass in sound design, featuring a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track that excels in all aspects. The dynamic range is exceptional, offering a rich, clear presentation that utilizes the entire surround platform to enhance the film's elements. Patrick Doyle's music score interweaves seamlessly with discrete and ambient sound effects, which play a vital role in the overall experience. The audio mix ensures that subtle background sounds, off-camera cues, and spatial dimensions are acutely rendered within the room's acoustic environment. The low-frequency effects channel is impressively active, contributing to the palpable, immersive bass that underpins the action sequences. Dialogue is firmly centred, rendered with clear distinction and balance across the front soundstage.

From the opening jungle scenes to the climactic showdown on the Golden Gate Bridge, the DTS-HD MA soundtrack keeps the rear channels consistently engaged. The blend of ape noises, chaotic action, and environmental sounds is delivered with pinpoint directionality and natural force. Explosions, helicopter rotors, and the myriad of action elements are broadcast with compelling realism. Doyle's assertive score further amplifies this high-intensity experience, with sophisticated sound arrangements that even incorporate elements mimicking ape speech patterns. The low-end frequencies are generally punchy and supportive, though a few moments could have benefited from deeper bass. Despite minor limitations compared to 7.1 tracks, this 5.1 mix represents a near-perfect audio experience for home entertainment.

Additional audio features include an English Dolby Digital 5.1 descriptive audio track, and French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 dubs, along with optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles. Overall, this powerhouse audio track creates a deeply engaging auditory environment that brings the on-screen action vividly to life.

The Blu-ray of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" includes a comprehensive array of extras, perfect for fans and enthusiasts keen on exploring behind-the-scenes details and production nuances. The two audio commentaries offer in-depth perspectives from director Rupert Wyatt, along with writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, providing significant insights into the film’s technical execution and narrative development. The range of featurettes, like "The Genius of Andy Serkis" and "Breaking Motion Capture Boundaries," highlight the groundbreaking work in motion capture technology and the unique challenges faced during production. The myriad of HD featurettes, deleted scenes, and galleries offer both a holistic and granular look at the ambitious project, making this disc a treasure trove for aficionados of the franchise.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio commentary by Rupert Wyatt: Director's technical and thematic insights.
• Audio commentary by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver: Writers' discussion on characters and themes.
• Deleted scenes: Andy Serkis in motion-capture suit.
• Mythology of the Apes: Filmmakers' inspirations from the original series.
• The Genius of Andy Serkis: His performance and technology impacts.
• A New Generation of Apes: Technology behind CGI apes.
• Scene Breakdown: Multiple views of scene development.
• Character Concept Art Gallery: Concept images comparison.
• Breaking Motion Capture Boundaries: Golden Gate Bridge VFX.
• Composing the Score with Patrick Doyle: Insights into musical motifs.
• The Great Apes: Informative segments on great apes.
• Theatrical Trailers: Promotional trailers.
• BD-Live Exclusive - Ape School: Training motion-capture actors.
• Bonus DVD & Digital Copy

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes," directed by Rupert Wyatt, represents a sophisticated reboot of the classic franchise by blending emotional depth with high-stakes action. The narrative focuses on Caesar (masterfully portrayed by Andy Serkis), a chimpanzee with heightened intelligence due to an experimental drug devised by scientist Will Rodman (James Franco). The film begins with a deeply emotional thread as Will endeavors to cure his father’s Alzheimer's—a mission that inadvertently leads to Caesar's birth and evolution. John Lithgow's tender performance as Charles, Will's father, adds an additional layer of poignancy to the storyline.

The film's technical achievements are especially noteworthy. The CGI work by WETA Workshop elevates the level of realism in the portrayal of apes, making them almost indistinguishable from their real-life counterparts. Special attention should be given to Andy Serkis, whose motion-capture performance as Caesar is groundbreakingly authentic, capturing complex emotions that resonate deeply with audiences. Patrick Doyle's score uniquely complements these visuals, heightening the film’s emotional and thrilling layers.

Despite its successes, the film has some deficiencies. Human characters, particularly those played by Freida Pinto and Brian Cox, are underdeveloped and serve more as narrative devices rather than fully-fledged entities. This is intentional to some extent, as the film aims to shift sympathies towards Caesar; however, it leaves the human story arcs feeling cursory. Furthermore, while the action-packed climax on the Golden Gate Bridge provides riveting entertainment, it culminates in a setup for future installments, leaving an overall sense of incompleteness. This calculated pacing serves to hook the audience but introduces a degree of impatience for what comes next.

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" delivers a compelling reboot of the famed franchise with stunning visual and auditory prowess on Blu-ray. The film rises above initial skepticism, redefining expectations set by its predecessors. The scripting and direction are solid, grounding the complex narrative in a way that remains engaging and thrilling throughout. The use of CGI imagery is remarkable, seamlessly integrating with live-action to enhance the viewing experience without overwhelming it.

The Blu-ray release is a near reference-quality disc, featuring an exceptionally sharp picture and immersive audio. While some may wish for a 7.1 audio mix for even greater depth, the existing surround soundtrack is still robust and dynamic, making it a compelling choice for home theaters. The special features add significant value, with two insightful audio commentaries and a variety of extras that enrich the overall package.

In conclusion, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" excels both as a film and as a Blu-ray release, bringing high entertainment value with superb technical presentation. Whether you're revisiting the series or experiencing it afresh, this edition is a worthwhile addition to any collection. Highly recommended.