New on Blu: Movies & Music > March 6-12

Oscar-nominated crowdpleaser The Intouchables hits Blu-ray this week with a ‘nigh untouchable transfer.

It’s one of a slew of top Blu-ray releases ranging from the latest action sensations to a Tom Cruise classic that’s never looked better on disc.

“The Intouchables comes with a great 1080p HD transfer presented in 1.85:1 aspect ratio.

“This looks exceptional, with amazing detail throughout.”

“There are no flaws – the visuals are clean and consistent. There is no noise and some of the sequences are impressive with their level of sharpness.”

Surprise blockbuster thriller Taken 2, which also is being released on a double-pack with the original, was shot entirely on film but “still looks like a digital production thanks to extensive colour grading and other processing.

“The high-def image, while retaining fine detail, is virtually grain-free and remains impressive throughout.”

“Grain can spike a bit in some of the darker moments, as this thick layer of grain does cause the image to lose a bit of clarity.

“Outside of this slight notch, I found this transfer to be excellent.”

“Savages is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Universal Studios with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.40:1.

“Whatever shortcomings the film itself may have, the high definition presentation here is near perfection.”

“It’s the first time in 18 years that [director Oliver] Stone’s worked with a Panavision anamorphic lens, and Dan Mindel’s cinematography looks fantastic, perfectly capturing the sun-drenched Californian scenery …

“The accompanying DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is just as impressive, keenly balancing aggression with nuanced dynamics.”

“Bait 3D bites into Blu-ray with a top-notch 1080p 3D transfer. The 3D image is wonderful, offering everything viewers want out of such a presentation.”

“The filmmakers make great use of the format as a device for fun gimmick effects as well as a method for drawing viewers into the action.

“The shark’s snout protrudes only inches away from our nose; debris floating in the water swims in the middle of the room; blood and body parts fly at your face; and random sharp objects pierce through the screen towards our eyes.”

Also new is a 3D version of Top Gun that divided US critics over the merits of converting a 1986 release.

“Top Gun 3D is definitely a mixed bag. There were more impressive moments than failures, but as an overall experience, the 3D doesn’t enhance the action.

“It’s cool. It looks good. It makes for some gorgeous, some less so, high definition. But serve story or improve the film, it does not.”

“Top Gun looks superb even in the plain ol’ 2D, with excellent contrast, a clean-looking overall image, vivid colour reproduction, and relative fine and even grain structure.

“The new 3D conversion works a lot better than I expected it to as well.”

“For Top Gun, 3D is not a gimmick – it’s the cherry on top of an already delicious cake and it’s a real natural fit with the film, so much so that I’m actually re-assessing how good future conversions like Jurassic Park might be.”

Also new are two other back-catalogue titles, Reds and Escape From Alcatraz, the direct-to-disc End of Watch, Silent Hill: Revelation, Bone Bridge and The Victim, the animated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Eden of the East: Complete Collection, and Rammstein: Videos 1995-2012, Sound City: Real to Reel and Love.