Best 3D Release – Prometheus
Ridley Scott’s most talked about movie in ages also happens to be one of the best 3D films of 2012. I know that we can go on and on about the film’s overall quality and if it really is that Alien prequel we’ve all been waiting for, but let’s just cut the bullshit and talk about the actual use of 3D. Here Scott actually shoots natively and it shows. The entire transfer is full of depth and a complete breakdown of the environment that surrounds you. Everything about this film screams 3D and Fox completely understood that when pressing the 3D Blu-Ray discs. Prometheus is a game-changer on Blu-Ray.
Those that still think 3D is simply a gimmick will want to experience this film on the proper setup, because it should change your opinion in a matter of seconds. Scott uses the extra dimension as a way of helping close that gap between watching a film and feeling a film. Not once does it pop up for the sake of reminding you that you’re watching a 3D movie and instead it slowly traps you into the world established on camera by Scott.
I liked the film, but even if I hated it I wouldn’t deny that it’s a visual spectacle to look at in 3D.
An honorable mention that gives this film a run for its money theatrically, but sadly not on Blu-Ray is Martin Scorsese’s love letter to film Hugo. When I watched Hugo in theaters I was completely amazed by how Scorsese used the format and made it a true part of the actual film. I was excited to relive that feeling on Blu-Ray, but only found a 3D transfer that works great in some areas, but poorly in others. Hugo is a great film, but the 3D Blu-Ray transfer isn’t the perfect one that we deserve.
With 2012 ending and 2013 beginning I will continue to have high hopes for the future of the Blu-Ray format. Hard copy discs are slowly dwindling down as digital download becomes the thing of the future, but I will always have my feet planted firmly with hard copy media, because I always appreciate an actual disc and case over a click on my computer. Blu-Ray still hasn’t even overthrown DVD just yet, which means we’ve got plenty of good years ahead of us.
I hope the studios continue to keep up this trend of awesome-looking and sounding Blu-Rays, because then it makes it so much easier to actually want to go out and pick up a disc on opening day opposed to waiting for a Black Friday deal. I know I missed a ton of titles in my article, but there’s just too many out there to give every single one a full write up.
One category I always skimp on is the special features, simply because I just can’t write all day about featurettes and deleted scenes. If you really want two packages that cover you in those fields then check out David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Ben Affleck’s newest Ultimate Collector’s Edition of The Town.
Here’s to the incredible year for Blu-Ray discs known as 2012. There’s no reason the studios should be packing up or toning down just yet, so let’s do this again around the same time next year!