The Transporter 3 (2008/Lionsgate Blu-ray +
DVD)
Picture:
A-/B Sound: A-/B Extras: B+ Film:
C
For as
much as I love Jason Statham and Audi cars, the two just can’t seem to get the
combination right, even after three tries.
The latest failed attempt is the third installment in the Transporter series, simply called Transporter 3, which has been released
through Lionsgate and the change of studio and director only marginally improve
things. Here we get more of the same as
Statham plays Frank Martin who must take a mysterious passenger to a dangerous
location and is hyped up with more silly action sequences and various plot
twists that you can see a mile coming, regardless of what vehicle you might be
driving!
Fans of
the franchise though will not be disappointed with the presentation though on
Blu-ray, which runs rings around the DVD edition. Both contain a digital copy of the film, but
the Blu-ray boasts a pleasing 1080p High Definition transfer and framed at 2.35
X 1. The transfer is constantly sharp
looking with defined edges and plenty of detail throughout, colors are warm and
stunning and this is perhaps one of the best action films that we have seen
with a consistent transfer on Blu-ray.
What I particular like about the transfer is that it still has a
film-like quality, but when compared to the anamorphically enhanced standard
definition DVD you can see so much more depth, detail, resolution, and
refinement that showcase the benefits of Blu-ray in more ways than one.
Likewise
the audio has been upgraded for the Blu-ray over the Dolby Digital 5.1 EX mix
on the DVD. The Blu-ray features the
film in an impressive DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 that thumps throughout the entire
film. Action scenes are life-like and
every explosion or gunshot rings through the mix with impressive fidelity and
with such a realistic feel. The music is
also pumped up and delivers a solid underscore to the over-the-top action
sequences, which will give any home theater system a real workout, especially
if you are using two discreet middle rear channels to take full use of the 7.1
mix. The 5.1 EX mix on the DVD is
disappointing by comparison as it feels so weak and forward sounding that it
doesn’t do the film justice like the Blu-ray.
Extras
are stacked for this release as well with commentary by director Olivier
Megaton, behind the scenes footage, a featurette, storyboards and production
details, making of, special effects featurette, and a MoLog BD live application
that allows you to insert text, shapes, audio and other graphics into the film
and create blogs to share with other users.
This feature is exclusive to the Blu-ray only, but the other supplements
are identical on the DVD.
While Transporter 3 might not be the most
original film ever made, it’s certainly a better film that the previous two and
Lionsgate delivers the goods to Blu-ray and DVD, even thought the Blu-ray is
the real winner with exceptional audio and video qualities that fans will be
drooling over.
- Nate Goss
