| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Angry Birds Toons - Season 01 Volume 02
Sony Pictures // Unrated // April 15, 2014
List Price: $26.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
Well, that was quick! Four months after unleashing the Angry Birds' home video debut, Sony has delivered a second volume featuring the latter half of the first season. The formula - which stars the zany birds and mischievous pigs in Loony Tunes inspired skits - hasn't changed a bit, meaning the humor and warmth conveyed in the first 26 episodes is still prevalent, if not a bit refined. I half expected a dip in quality, but Rovio's moneymaker seemingly wants to have just as much staying power on home video as they do in the mobile market. There isn't much else to say after my breakdown of the Volume 1 release in December, so most of the text below has been carried over for your convenience (although can click here if you'd like to see the screenshots as well as details on the supplemental material). That said, the screenshots and info on supplements has been updated to reflect the latest release from Sony and Rovio.
Does Angry Birds even require an introduction? I mean, if you own a smart phone or have stepped outside your house since 2009, chances are good that you've been exposed to one of the largest mass market campaigns in recent memory. The simple, yet addictive game has numerous iterations - which includes a legit Star Wars license - and has produced books, toys, bed sets, toiletries, clothing, stationary, and much, much more. By now, we'd think a product has reached its peak level of saturation, but with a major motion picture set for release in 2016, it's clear that Rovio are shooting for nothing less than world domination... and they're well on their way to getting it. In March of 2013, we saw the premiere of Angry Birds Toons, and because it was easy - not to mention free - to access from each game app, children everywhere have been exposed. This practically guarantees that children across the globe will be dragging their parents to theaters in droves. Still, that doesn't necessarily mean there's room for the birds with 'tudes in the home video market, but Sony was willing to take that risk. Did it pay off?
Believe it or not, the transition from point-and-swipe time filler to animated hijinks went surprisingly well. Granted, my expectations weren't high for webisodes which revolved around a cell phone game, but I found Rovio's approach to be quite the delight. Instead of shoehorning unnecessary dialogue or overly dramatic plot points - both of which would have changed the face of the franchise - they instead opted for something that was more akin to Looney Tunes. These 26 shorts - which make up half of the 1st season - are all under 3 minutes apiece, and use their time to convey the birds and pigs unique personalities, all while adhering to the many animated tropes we've grown accustomed to. Characters often defy gravity until they're aware of their surroundings, pain can be taken without serious consequences, and each 'story' is supported with bouncy scores and zany sound effects. The animation is simplistic, but shouldn't be mistaken for being cheap. It's clear that the value of production was important to everyone involved, and it shows.
Of course, production values amount to little if the content is lacking, but these shorts manage to continue the witty wink-and-nod hilarity of the games, and feels like an extension of the series as a result. Actions and reactions are by and large the core of comedy, and because the birds and pigs have been left to speak a universal language of movement and facial expressions, the events that transpire should appeal to everyone regardless of age or what region of the world they call home. The short length of each cartoon is also a plus, because the gags can come off at a rapid fire pace, and the creative staff don't have to worry about fatigue setting in with their audience. Furthermore - and I swear, it's as if they thought of everything - since each episode can be viewed out of sequence, the format is guaranteed to remain accessible throughout the entire series. Oh, and in case you were wondering, yes - Rovio has a four season plan in place, which means the show should end around the same time that the movie is released... surprise, surprise.
The only negative thing I can say about this release, is that Sony might be overshooting who their target audience might be and how much they're willing to spend. The MSRP is $26.99, and since we're able to stream these episodes from our handheld device of choice for free, the cost of entry on home video seems a little steep, especially since we're only treated to half a season, which amounts to 72 minutes of Angry Birds goodness. That said, who knows? I've actually seen evidence that the PS4 version of Angry Birds Star Wars has sold out on occasion... and that comes with a $50 asking price, mind you. Yes, people have actually been willing to spend $50 for a game that's only a buck or two on an iphone. You know, on second thought, I guess Sony knows PRECISELY what kind of fan base they're selling to...
All in all, Rovio have blended something new and added a hefty dose of nostalgia for good measure, so the Angry Birds Toons are a lot of fun and provide tons of laughs. If you have a kid who adores the games and/or Toons, then you may have no choice but to pick this up. Honestly, I don't see many adults running out to buy this for themselves - especially since it's free to watch online - but I think parents will find repeated viewings with their children to be enjoyable nonetheless.
Angry Birds Toons has made the leap from compressed internet video, to an unhindered 1080p, AVC encoded transfer (1.78:1). The animation is simplistic yet beautiful, so all the colors leap off the screen like a bird that was launched from a slingshot. Lines are solid, that subtle 'brushed' look to some of the textures can be seen for the first time, and contrast and black levels are both immaculate. There's nothing to worry about in terms of compression, either. There's no edge enhancement, banding or digital artifacts. This is definitely a huge step up from the streams on an iphone, so fans will be in for quite the surprise, especially since they'll see minute details they never knew were there before.
Dolby Digital 2.0 is what we have here, which is something of a disappointment. Lossless audio is always preferable, but I'm certainly not going to harp on the choice too much. For what it's worth, the score and sound effects are pleasing in stereo and there's still a nice sense of clarity. Like the video, the sound here blows the online streams away.
-Meet the Characters (Bomb Bird, Terrence, Chef Pig, Corporal Pig ) - These are extremely short featurettes that highlight the abovementioned characters.
-Meet the Flock - Catch the assortment of birds in one brief sitting, as we see clips of them as they appear in the series.
-Behind the Scenes Featurettes (4) - Character Design, Producing/Directing/Coordinating, Compositing Tools and Color Grading, Sound Design/Voice Acting/Music - As with the first release, there isn't much in the way of actual behind-the-scenes information, but with the simplicity of the series, these featurettes serve their purpose well enough.
-Easter Egg Hunt - A special bonus, Easter themed short.
-Power Up Pack - Also included is a code for the Angry Birds Friends app, which nets you 910 Bird Coins. Personally, Friends is one of the apps I've had zero use for in the franchise, so its $5.99 value - while nice - isn't something I'd ever get to use.
Angry Birds has woven itself into the fabric of our culture, and it's likely to stay there for a long, long time. That said, I'm aware that feelings on the franchise are mixed at best - Some absolutely adore the characters and simplistic gameplay, and others feel as if the franchise has overstayed its welcome. Regardless, it's hard to ignore the charm of Rovio's Toons, as they're witty, hilarious and highly reminiscent of the days when we used to watch Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry. Quality of the content aside, I don't believe this release is for everyone. These episodes are free to stream from the Angry Birds apps, and that's certainly going to be enough exposure for some. If you're a fan of the series however, or have a child who would love to watch these on the big screen in your living room, this is a no-brainer... but for everyone else? This Blu-ray still comes recommended, but with the caveat of waiting for a price drop.
-About the Author- Michael Zupan is primarily a film guy, but has a variety of places where you can enjoy his work otherwise. Check Bytesizeimpressions.com for video game op-ed pieces and podcasts, and be sure to check out the sister site, Byte-Size Cinema, linked up top. This writer also contributes significantly to in-print magazines such as Minecraft Explorer and Fortnite Explorer!
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||