New to Blu: March 30-April 5

The latest in the Narnia chronicles, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, reaches these shores on Blu-ray before the Northern Hemisphere’s.

It goes on sale Wednesday, more than a week ahead of the US and three weeks ahead of the UK, in a three-disc set comprising the movie and extras in HD, a DVD of the movie and a digital copy.

Because of this unusual release strategy, reviews of the Blu-ray edition have yet to be posted online.

But expect the picture quality to be extraordinary given DVD Verdict’s judgment on the DVD screener it was sent to review: “The 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer thoroughly impressed.

“The picture is sharp throughout, with vibrant colours that almost burst out of the screen. Black levels are top notch, while detail levels are high, even in darker scenes.”

Extras include an interactive map, a filmmaker’s commentary, three behind-the-scenes shorts and the animated The Untold Adventures of the Dawn Treader.

Also new this week are the horror movie from the producers of REC, Exorcismus, and double-packs of six 20^th Century Fox back catalogue sci-fi releases: Babylon AD/Jumper, The Day the Earth Stood Still/Independence Day and I Robot/The Day After Tomorrow.