Watcher
09-11-2001, 08:57 PM
<I><B>MAGNA PACIFIC </I></b>
<center><b>
<h2> DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS:Special Edition.</h2>
Release Date:</b> OUT NOW!.
<B>MAGNA PACIFIC </B>
<b>Rating:</b> M15+</center>
<UL><b>Special features and specs…..</b>
<LI> Trailer.
<LI>Audio commentary 1.
<li>Audio commentary 2.
<LI>Cast & Crew/ Interviews.
<LI>Special Effects Demonstration (Multi angle presentation).
<LI>11 Deleted scenes with Directors commentary.
<LI>Let The Games Begin Documentary.
<LI>Making of...
<LI>B Roll
<LI>Production Notes.
<LI>Motion Menus with 5.1.
<LI>Languages in Dolby Surround English 5.1/ English 5.1 <B>dts</b>.
<LI>Aspect: 1.85:1, Anamorphic widescreen.
<LI>Running Time; 107 Mins.
<LI>Disc: Single sided/ Dual Layer.</UL>
<b>Cast…</b>Jeremy Irons, Thora Birch, Justin Whalin, Marlon Wayans, Zoe McLellan, Kristen Wilson, Bruce Payne, Lee Arenberg, Richard O'Brien.
<center><B>From the back cover….</b></center>
<i>A world of mystical beauty and ancient mystery, of vast wilderness and untamed danger, a world where legendary creatures walk the earth and fill the sky. It is magic that dominates the Empire and few are born with the ability to harness its power.
Following the Emperor's death, his only heir, child-princess Savina discovers the greatest threat from the Empire comes from within. The respected Profion has dark plans to secure the Royal Sceptre which commands the immensely powerful gold dragons. With this power Profion plunges the nation into civil war.
The Empress sends her most trusted scout to find an ancient artifact, the Rod of Savrille. It has the ability to summon and enslave the will of the Red Dragons, which will tip the balance of power and expose the treasonous Profion. With the help of a rogue pair of petty thieves the deadly race begins...in their hands rests the fate of the Empire.
<B>The spells have been defined.
The dungeon has been designed.
The dragon is waiting.
Let the game begin!</b></i>
<b>Audio/Visual….</b>
Dungeons and Dragons is a 1.85:1, Anamorphic widescreen presentation.
As to be expected with a recently made movie, the picture quality is a very clean and smooth one with very good detail. The sharp picture shows hardly any scratches, nicks or blemishes at all, and probably aren't worth mentioning really, as they are so few and far between.
There was the very slightest hint of very fine grain at times, but I'd still say it's a very clean and smooth image.
Colours are nice and strong and really do look superb in some of the special effects and scenes involving fire. Flesh tones, blacks and shadow detail is also very good.
When it gets to audio, things can be a bit tricky.
You are only able to play the movie in DD 5.1 when you initially want to play the movie and will spend a bit of time going through the menu before hand looking for the <B>dts</b> option as well as other menu options mentioned on the cover.
You must answer questions correctly on a quiz in the initial special features menu to then gain access to audio options and other menu choices. I'll put the 3 answers in order at the bottom of the review.
A very unique, but frustrating option.
I opted for the <B>dts</b> audio when reviewing the movie (I cheated and looked up the answers online).
The <B>dts</b> track is awesome and is easily the best of the 2 audio options. It sounded a lot more clearer and defined and I felt more immersed in the sound overall.
All speakers are used very well and there is plenty of interaction between them. There is a bucket load of directional sound and rear action in this movie. The sound stage is very wide and the rears do a great job of hosting the many sound effects as well as the accompanying music.
The sub provides plenty of low level grumbles and offers plenty of thumps too.
Speech is very clear and easy to understand, with it being focussed well to the screen.
People who can only use the DD 5.1 option will be very happy, as this mix is also very well done and will not disappoint with its use of all speakers too.
Speaking of audio, the menus are in DD5.1.
<B>Extra features…..</b>
<LI><U><I> B Roll</i></U> - Behind the scenes shots of stuff such as rehearsing scenes. This goes for about 10 minutes and is in 4:3.
<LI><U><I>Trailer</i></u> - Shown in 4:3 and with DD 2.0 sound.
<LI><u><I>The Making of D&D</i></U> - Enjoyable 20 minute 'making of' which goes for about 20 minutes and is shown in widescreen.
<LI><U><I>Audio Commentary 1.</I></u> -Very informative and provides a lot of technical info.
Director Courtney Solmon and D.O.P Doug Mileston do the audio together and Dungeons & Dragons co-creator- Dave Ameson's commentary has been edited in between comments by the other 2.
<LI><U><I>Audio Commentary 2.</I></u> - Has Director Courtney Solmon, Justin Whalin (lead actor) joining forces to have a bit of fun and do an enjoyable audio commentary and Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Dave Ameson is edited in once agin with various comments and bits of information.
<LI><U><I>Let The Games Begin Documentary </I></u> - Has clips of the movie and iterviews talking about the actual game of Dungeons and Dragons. Shown in widescreen.
<LI><U><I>Production Notes</I></u> - Lots of pages of text here with plenty of info all about the many years it took to get Dungeons & Dragons to the big screen. Shown in widescreen.
<LI><U><I>Deleted Scenes.</i></u> - Widescreen and goes for about 22 minutes in total.
You have the option on listening to the audio commentary with the 11 deleted scenes, but some don't have completed special effects, but who's complaining with all these wonderful extras.
There's also an alternate ending.
<i><U><LI>Special Effects Demonstation. </i></u>- Cool feature that has 4 sequences that have multi-angles.You are able to view completed the film shots, shots before the CGI, unfinished CGI, or the storyboard pictures. As said earlier, it's pretty cool feature.
<LI><I><u>Cast and Crew</I></u>. - Provides us with text pages containing bio's of the cast and crew with the option on the last page to watch an interview with that person at the end.
<I><LI><U> Bonus BALDUR'S GATE 2 Demo Disc.</i></u>. - At the time of this review, people are able to buy Dungeons & Dragons on DVD and get a FREE Demo Disc of the BALDUR'S GATE 2 game for PC contained inside with their DVD movie. I assume this is while stocks last and you will be able to tell by a bright orange sticker on the front cover informing you of the game demo inside.
<B>Overall…..</b>
I've never played the D&D games myself, but know of them and their popularity and was keen to see what would happen when a movie was made.
The movie itself is pretty enjoyable with plenty of action, special effects and some comic relief along the way.
Magna Pacific have done a great job with this DVD.
The audio is just superb and the <B>dts</b> track in particular is outstanding. Credit to them for giving us this audio option.
The Dungeons & Dragons DVD is crammed with extra features that are all interesting and some are very unique, although i found it frustrating that a first time viewer of the movie had to answer questions about the movie they haven't seen to get to the <B>dts</b> audio option (and other extra features). That is the only down side to this DVD for me though.
You'll also be faced with a small challenge (which I did like) when going to the Chapter selections too.
The movie is a must buy for people who have seen the movie and enjoyed it and is highly recommended for an overnight hire to those who haven't.
Try and hold out til the end of the final credits as you'll get to see a Sydney version of the Dolby City Trailer made by DVDtech who authored the DVD.
Thanks for reading…
<i>Anwers.......
Q1.-B Q2.-C Q3.-D</i>
<center><b>
<h2> DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS:Special Edition.</h2>
Release Date:</b> OUT NOW!.
<B>MAGNA PACIFIC </B>
<b>Rating:</b> M15+</center>
<UL><b>Special features and specs…..</b>
<LI> Trailer.
<LI>Audio commentary 1.
<li>Audio commentary 2.
<LI>Cast & Crew/ Interviews.
<LI>Special Effects Demonstration (Multi angle presentation).
<LI>11 Deleted scenes with Directors commentary.
<LI>Let The Games Begin Documentary.
<LI>Making of...
<LI>B Roll
<LI>Production Notes.
<LI>Motion Menus with 5.1.
<LI>Languages in Dolby Surround English 5.1/ English 5.1 <B>dts</b>.
<LI>Aspect: 1.85:1, Anamorphic widescreen.
<LI>Running Time; 107 Mins.
<LI>Disc: Single sided/ Dual Layer.</UL>
<b>Cast…</b>Jeremy Irons, Thora Birch, Justin Whalin, Marlon Wayans, Zoe McLellan, Kristen Wilson, Bruce Payne, Lee Arenberg, Richard O'Brien.
<center><B>From the back cover….</b></center>
<i>A world of mystical beauty and ancient mystery, of vast wilderness and untamed danger, a world where legendary creatures walk the earth and fill the sky. It is magic that dominates the Empire and few are born with the ability to harness its power.
Following the Emperor's death, his only heir, child-princess Savina discovers the greatest threat from the Empire comes from within. The respected Profion has dark plans to secure the Royal Sceptre which commands the immensely powerful gold dragons. With this power Profion plunges the nation into civil war.
The Empress sends her most trusted scout to find an ancient artifact, the Rod of Savrille. It has the ability to summon and enslave the will of the Red Dragons, which will tip the balance of power and expose the treasonous Profion. With the help of a rogue pair of petty thieves the deadly race begins...in their hands rests the fate of the Empire.
<B>The spells have been defined.
The dungeon has been designed.
The dragon is waiting.
Let the game begin!</b></i>
<b>Audio/Visual….</b>
Dungeons and Dragons is a 1.85:1, Anamorphic widescreen presentation.
As to be expected with a recently made movie, the picture quality is a very clean and smooth one with very good detail. The sharp picture shows hardly any scratches, nicks or blemishes at all, and probably aren't worth mentioning really, as they are so few and far between.
There was the very slightest hint of very fine grain at times, but I'd still say it's a very clean and smooth image.
Colours are nice and strong and really do look superb in some of the special effects and scenes involving fire. Flesh tones, blacks and shadow detail is also very good.
When it gets to audio, things can be a bit tricky.
You are only able to play the movie in DD 5.1 when you initially want to play the movie and will spend a bit of time going through the menu before hand looking for the <B>dts</b> option as well as other menu options mentioned on the cover.
You must answer questions correctly on a quiz in the initial special features menu to then gain access to audio options and other menu choices. I'll put the 3 answers in order at the bottom of the review.
A very unique, but frustrating option.
I opted for the <B>dts</b> audio when reviewing the movie (I cheated and looked up the answers online).
The <B>dts</b> track is awesome and is easily the best of the 2 audio options. It sounded a lot more clearer and defined and I felt more immersed in the sound overall.
All speakers are used very well and there is plenty of interaction between them. There is a bucket load of directional sound and rear action in this movie. The sound stage is very wide and the rears do a great job of hosting the many sound effects as well as the accompanying music.
The sub provides plenty of low level grumbles and offers plenty of thumps too.
Speech is very clear and easy to understand, with it being focussed well to the screen.
People who can only use the DD 5.1 option will be very happy, as this mix is also very well done and will not disappoint with its use of all speakers too.
Speaking of audio, the menus are in DD5.1.
<B>Extra features…..</b>
<LI><U><I> B Roll</i></U> - Behind the scenes shots of stuff such as rehearsing scenes. This goes for about 10 minutes and is in 4:3.
<LI><U><I>Trailer</i></u> - Shown in 4:3 and with DD 2.0 sound.
<LI><u><I>The Making of D&D</i></U> - Enjoyable 20 minute 'making of' which goes for about 20 minutes and is shown in widescreen.
<LI><U><I>Audio Commentary 1.</I></u> -Very informative and provides a lot of technical info.
Director Courtney Solmon and D.O.P Doug Mileston do the audio together and Dungeons & Dragons co-creator- Dave Ameson's commentary has been edited in between comments by the other 2.
<LI><U><I>Audio Commentary 2.</I></u> - Has Director Courtney Solmon, Justin Whalin (lead actor) joining forces to have a bit of fun and do an enjoyable audio commentary and Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Dave Ameson is edited in once agin with various comments and bits of information.
<LI><U><I>Let The Games Begin Documentary </I></u> - Has clips of the movie and iterviews talking about the actual game of Dungeons and Dragons. Shown in widescreen.
<LI><U><I>Production Notes</I></u> - Lots of pages of text here with plenty of info all about the many years it took to get Dungeons & Dragons to the big screen. Shown in widescreen.
<LI><U><I>Deleted Scenes.</i></u> - Widescreen and goes for about 22 minutes in total.
You have the option on listening to the audio commentary with the 11 deleted scenes, but some don't have completed special effects, but who's complaining with all these wonderful extras.
There's also an alternate ending.
<i><U><LI>Special Effects Demonstation. </i></u>- Cool feature that has 4 sequences that have multi-angles.You are able to view completed the film shots, shots before the CGI, unfinished CGI, or the storyboard pictures. As said earlier, it's pretty cool feature.
<LI><I><u>Cast and Crew</I></u>. - Provides us with text pages containing bio's of the cast and crew with the option on the last page to watch an interview with that person at the end.
<I><LI><U> Bonus BALDUR'S GATE 2 Demo Disc.</i></u>. - At the time of this review, people are able to buy Dungeons & Dragons on DVD and get a FREE Demo Disc of the BALDUR'S GATE 2 game for PC contained inside with their DVD movie. I assume this is while stocks last and you will be able to tell by a bright orange sticker on the front cover informing you of the game demo inside.
<B>Overall…..</b>
I've never played the D&D games myself, but know of them and their popularity and was keen to see what would happen when a movie was made.
The movie itself is pretty enjoyable with plenty of action, special effects and some comic relief along the way.
Magna Pacific have done a great job with this DVD.
The audio is just superb and the <B>dts</b> track in particular is outstanding. Credit to them for giving us this audio option.
The Dungeons & Dragons DVD is crammed with extra features that are all interesting and some are very unique, although i found it frustrating that a first time viewer of the movie had to answer questions about the movie they haven't seen to get to the <B>dts</b> audio option (and other extra features). That is the only down side to this DVD for me though.
You'll also be faced with a small challenge (which I did like) when going to the Chapter selections too.
The movie is a must buy for people who have seen the movie and enjoyed it and is highly recommended for an overnight hire to those who haven't.
Try and hold out til the end of the final credits as you'll get to see a Sydney version of the Dolby City Trailer made by DVDtech who authored the DVD.
Thanks for reading…
<i>Anwers.......
Q1.-B Q2.-C Q3.-D</i>