Bee Movie
(2007/Blu-ray)
Picture: Bee+ Sound: Bee+ Extras: C Feature: C
Another
CG animated feature hit for DreamWorks, I was less impressed than many by the
Simon J. Smith/Steve Hickner Bee Movie
(2007) with Jerry Seinfeld and every pun on bees that the screenplay Seinfeld
co-wrote could squeeze into the feature.
Sure, some gags work, but they are few and far between. For more details on the film and a more enthusiastic
review, try this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6843/Bee+Movie:+A+Very+Jerry+2-Disc
That
leaves us with the performance of the Blu-ray, especially anticipated since the
HD-DVD was cancelled at the last minute.
The 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image is very good, though it
simply cannot compete with the best from Disney/Pixar, but has its moments for
what it is. It also looks a tad softer
than the best CG features we have seen in theaters or either HD format, but
this certainly outperforms the DVD. The
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix has its moments too, but at 16bits, seems
compromised. I wonder if a higher bit
ceiling would have helped, but it still outdoes the Dolby Digital 5.1 here and
from the DVD.
Extras
from the DVD set are carried over, including some in HD, but five new features
are added as Blu-ray exclusives including Barry’s Trivia Track, a
picture-in-picture feature with the animators, The World Of Bees, Be A Bee
Avatar and customizable character menus.
That may help fans and be good for younger viewers, but it did little
for this critic. At least it is a
respectable performer in the new format.
- Nicholas Sheffo
