Doom: Annihilation Blu-ray Review

"Doom: Annihilation" delivers a competent and thoroughly capable video presentation on Blu-ray, though it reveals its low-budget origins almost immediately. Shot on video, the film maintains steady essential details without any overwhelming issues. Facial details are rendered with an intimate clarity, and the SWAT-like costumes exhibit a tactile density. The various locales around Phobos, dominated by slick and smooth surfaces, are effectively depicted, with the color palette consistently leaning towards steely blues and grays characteristic of the Phobos facility overrun by demons. Splashes of more vivid colors – such as red blood, the demonic accents, green plasma bursts from the BFG, and shorts of Mars from space – are all well-managed. Despite noticeable noise, the image avoids significant source or encode anomalies.

Noise battles are par for the course, but "Doom: Annihilation's" clean yet pedestrian video holds up well under these conditions. Budgetary limitations result in straightforward cinematography that's devoid of extravagance. This simplicity, however, allows detail to shine through consistently; sharpness is steady even during rapid cross-cutting sequences. Moderate saturation injects a hint of life into flesh tones while substantial blue filters sap the primaries to set the intended mood. Shadows generally offer stable and rich depth, avoiding significant black crush even in scenes featuring black suits or guns. Impressively for its morbid theme, "Doom: Annihilation" maintains a surprising visual liveliness.

In conclusion, "Doom: Annihilation" provides an adequate Blu-ray viewing experience that is best case for its production parameters. While the absence of a UHD release is palpable, the Blu-ray's ability to stay true to the film’s intrinsic details and maintain a vibrant yet appropriately dark aesthetic speaks to a commendable technical execution.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for "Doom: Annihilation," while limited by the film's sound design, delivers a solid audio experience. Surrounds are utilized effectively, creating an immersive atmosphere. The arrival on Phobos is defined by heavy industrial undertones, reflecting the sense of dread permeating the scene. Good sound effects, such as the distinct chunk-chunk of weapons fire, underscore the tension. The score is brooding and integrates well into the surround channels, enhancing the movie’s scope and scale with thoughtful attention to detail.

Potent low-end support provides guns with a powerful kick and ship engines produce notable subwoofer jolts, expanding the soundstage. The activation of the portal is accompanied by a well-defined, immersive audio presence and robust low-frequency effects. Ambient sounds dissipate during dialogue-heavy scenes, placing focus on action sequences, which benefit from heightened sonic dynamics. Dialogue remains consistently clear and center-focused throughout, maintaining comprehensibility amidst the more chaotic moments. Despite some limitations in the sound design, the audio track remains appropriately robust and complements the film effectively.

The Blu-ray release of "Doom: Annihilation" fails to deliver any supplemental content, which significantly reduces its appeal for fans hoping for behind-the-scenes insights or additional materials. Unfortunately, this edition comes with just the basics—a DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code for added convenience. Though the package includes an attractive embossed slipcover, the absence of extras makes it a bare-bones offering. For those who seek in-depth reviews, high-resolution screenshots, and potential exclusive 4K UHD content, further support might be required through external avenues such as Patreon.

Extras included in this disc:

• DVD Copy of the Film: A physical DVD version for standard definition viewing.
• Movies Anywhere Digital Copy Code: A code for accessing a digital version of the film.

"Doom: Annihilation," a 2019 direct-to-video film, borrows heavily from its iconic video game origin but unfortunately flounders in almost every aspect of cinematic execution. Set on the Martian moon Phobos, the plot revolves around a group of Marines investigating a scientific research facility that has unwittingly opened ancient Sumerian wormholes, leading to disastrous consequences. The story is thin and predictable, following the familiar setup of characters awakening from cryo-sleep and quickly being thrown into a demonic onslaught reminiscent of "Aliens." Despite some high-concept attempts at exploring metaphysical and religious themes, the narrative remains uninspiring and derivative.

The character development is virtually non-existent, with the ensemble cast offering forgettable performances that lack depth or individuality. The Marines are clad in generic SWAT-like costumes and wield fake-looking firearms, contributing to the overall feeling of budgetary constraints. The film's lead, Joan Dark, suffers from a clichéd backstory that fails to engage on any meaningful level. Attempts to invoke sentimental attachments or heroism fall flat, leaving viewers indifferent to their fates. Unlike the memorable secondary characters of "Aliens," these Marines are mere cannon fodder for the poorly designed demonic adversaries.

On a technical level, "Doom: Annihilation" does little to impress. The sets are minimalistic and uninspired, with a heavy reliance on the visual motifs of the Doom video game series, such as colored access cards and the iconic BFG9000 weapon. However, these elements come across as superficial nods to the fans rather than integral parts of a cohesive cinematic experience. The action sequences lack vigor, starting off slow and failing to build any significant momentum. Even moments meant to evoke excitement or dread fall short due to subpar special effects and unimaginative choreography. In summary, "Doom: Annihilation" is an underwhelming addition to both the video game adaptation genre and the Doom franchise, offering little more than a tedious viewing experience.

Doom: Annihilation ends up as nearly unwatchable genre fodder. It looks and plays as cheap as it sounds. Poor acting, a zero-sum script, unimaginative atmosphere, uninspired production design – the list goes on. There's very little reason for even hardcore franchise fans to watch. Have another go at the original classic or the more modern and atmospheric 2016 game in anticipation of Doom Eternal instead. Universal's Blu-ray is unsurprisingly featureless. Video and audio presentations are baseline effective. Skip it.

Mostly a tepid, B-grade zombie dud, Doom: Annihilation falls apart fast, almost (but only almost) saving itself in the final few minutes.

"Doom: Annihilation" struggles to rise above its uninspired roots, offering little more than a dismal rehash of better entries in the franchise. The film is plagued by poor acting and an unremarkable script, contributing to an overall unimaginative atmosphere. The production design lacks the ingenuity and intensity associated with the "Doom" franchise, rendering the experience predictable and forgettable. From a technical standpoint, Universal's Blu-ray presentation is competent but far from extraordinary, with video and audio presentations that merely meet baseline expectations.

Essentially a B-grade zombie flick, "Doom: Annihilation" attempts to gain momentum in its final moments but ultimately fails to redeem itself. Despite its efforts, the film rapidly deteriorates, leaving little for even the most dedicated "Doom" fans to appreciate. Universal's decision to release a featureless Blu-ray disc further compounds its underwhelming impact, providing no additional value or insight into what could have been an intriguing addition to the series.

In conclusion, "Doom: Annihilation" is an underwhelming entry that fails to captivate or engage its audience. With lackluster performance and production, complemented by a barebones Blu-ray release, this film does not merit much attention. Fans of the franchise would be better served revisiting the 2005 original or immersing themselves in the critically acclaimed 2016 game while eagerly awaiting "Doom Eternal." Save yourself the time and skip this lackluster endeavor.