300 (HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc)
Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: July 31, 2007
Cast:
By Eric Klein
Already the fastest selling high definition title 300 is a
surprise smash. A commercial success when it launched earlier this year, this
R-rated effects film is a beast of energy, action and style. A cult comic book,
300 soon became a popular film due to groundswell support and
Internet fandom. Grossing over $70,000,000 in its opening weekend, the film
has now arrived to break record after record on the high definition format.
Released on both Blu-ray and HD DVD, this title is equipped with exclusive content
only on the HD DVD. Although the Blu-ray does share its own unique special features,
it is this immersive HD DVD that really impresses.
THE FILM
Gore. Violence. Survival. This is the ultimate male action film. Stylized and
powerful, 300 follows King Leonidas (Gerald Butler) and his
299 Spartans as they protect their land from the villainous invading Persian
Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his army thousands of times larger. Outnumbered
Leonidas is not about to let Sparta fall. Marching head strong, he and his men
make a valiant effort to hold off the invading forces. Only loosely based on
the infamous historical tale, this film derives from the mind of Frank Miller
(Sin City). That is to say that it is visually arresting and
interestingly told.
Perhaps the most notable result of the film’s success is not that Miller
added another project to his resume, nor that industry has realized the potential
of word-of-mouth, but that Zach Snyder has exploded onto the scene. Director
of the popular Dawn of the Dead remake, Snyder proved himself
a skilled hand at new styles of filmmaking. Using blue-screen to create the
atmosphere of the film, Snyder has crafted one strong piece of filmmaking. It
is not the best that has graced theaters this year, but it is certainly one
of the most theatrical. Rather than being a great film, 300
is a great experience. It is about grunting along with the Spartans, cheering
for Leonidas’ last stand and finding an innate enhancement in graceful
violence.
HD SOUND + VISION
Both the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc arrive with nearly all the same specifications:
2.40:1 high definition video equipped with a Dolby TrueHD audio track, as well
as English Dolby Digital Plus, French Dolby Digital Plus and Spanish Dolby Digital
Plus soundtracks.
The one difference is the inclusion of a PCM (Lossless) audio 5.1 soundtrack
for the Blu-ray release. With no real noticeable difference, this audio addition
is a bit confusing. At the same time, the ability to have both a PCM and a TrueHD
track makes for one of the first times the two can be compared on the same disc.
Overall, 300 has a flawless presentation. The video is just
perfect. There is a great sense of depth to the black, as well as the detail
in the image. Although the film has a grain to it, this intended style is just
on point. The audio is also spot-on. The bass rumbles when it should, the ambience
clearly distinct from the clanging action of the foreground. Even the dialogue
is loud and clear, perfectly mixed to not overtake the surround sound experience.
This is yet another great presentation title for either format.
PACKAGING/ LAYOUT
Both discs arrive in their respective “Elite” style high definition
cases. Using the same artwork as the 2-Disc DVD release, these titles fit in
nicely with the whole film’s branding. The HD DVD is a combo disc and
does not feature artwork, but instead includes the DVD version of the film;
the Blu-ray disc draws its artwork from the single disc DVD release.
The film’s menus are the same on both versions. Simple in style, the
color palette meshes well with the bronze and red that dominates the frames.
This is a nice choice that enhances the overall experience. One note, the HD
DVD includes a bookmark feature while the Blu-ray disc does not.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Both discs come loaded with special features. Unfortunately for Blu-ray fans,
the HD DVD comes with more. Filled with high definition exclusive content, including
a picture-in-picture blue screen comparison, this HD DVD is an interesting home
theater release. Despite some minor flaws with the online interactive material,
the HD DVD comes across as one of the MUST OWN high definition titles.
Both Discs Feature:
• Webisodes (40:00) – These 12 original webisodes made
for promotion of the film provide some of the best standard content on this
disc. The only features presented in standard definition, these 3-minute pieces
nicely flesh out the world of the film. Mostly focused on development, there
are some great behind the scenes moments that lend an air of accessibility to
an otherwise overpowering experience.
• Three Deleted Scenes with Introduction by Zach Snyder (3:23)
– Snyder is an entertaining individual that is able to deftly explain
his perspective. That works well when discussing why these scenes were cut.
All presented in high definition, these come across as slow and unnecessary.
The one complaint is that Snyder talks over them, making it difficult to comprehend
the actual content. It would have been nice to have the option to turn off the
commentary, but alas, there is none.
• 300: Fact or Fiction (24:34) – This
History Channel special looks at the film and compares it to the actual occurrences.
Presented in high definition, this is a nice fluff piece that fills out the
set quite well.
• Who Were the Spartans: Warriors of 300
(4:32) – A description of the film’s version of Spartans. Rather
than based on real history, this focuses more on the qualities that made the
myths of Spartans unique.
• Frank Miller Tapes (14:42) – This is basically a featurette
on the man behind the original concept. More or less a love fest, it is still
nice to see the veteran comic maker get his due.
• Making of 300 (5:50) – This
is your basic promotional documentary. Nice for a complete package, but nothing
really special.
• Making of 300 in Images (3:39) –
A fast montage of behind the scenes stills.
• Preparing for Battle: The Original Test Footage (6:42) –
This is perhaps the best featurette on both releases except for the Picture-In-Picture
feature. Drawing upon the studio’s reluctance to pursue the project, Zach
Snyder and crew went about developing to video pitches for the project. The
first, included with Snyder commentary, draws upon the comic book to tell its
story. The second, and more impressive one, is basically a short glimpse at
the style of fighting for the film. A mini-movie in and of itself, this polished
experience is so cool and refreshing that it raises one’s excitement for
the project in general. This should have been the teaser! From what I understand,
this is a high definition exclusive!
The Blu-ray Disc features:
• Commentary with Director Zach Snyder, Screenwriter Kurt Johnson
and Director of Photography Larry Fong – This commentary is recycled
from the DVD release of the film. A bit slow and production heavy, Snyder at
least is clear and knows how to express himself. Dominating the commentary,
Snyder tends to repeat a lot of things that are featured in the far superior
HD DVD Picture-In-Picture track.
The HD DVD features:
• Picture-In-Picture Blue Screen Commentary with Zach Snyder – This
is the best example of the potential of high definition discs. Featuring a seamless
and smooth presentation, this commentary is a film fan’s dream. Placed
side by side with the film is the completely edited blue screen version. Including
inserts and rough scenes, this is a lesson in the new generation of filmmaking.
Immersive and enthralling, this side-by-side comparison is the best HD presentation
thus far, well, except for the intrusive logo in the upper right hand corner
of the screen.
• Vengeance And Valor – is an exclusive HD DVD game that is presented
in a style similar to risk. Using the Spartans and placing them against the
Persians, this game is the best that has been done on the format thus far. A
bit frustrating to get a handle on, it is still nice to see Warner go above
and beyond for this release.
• Pick Your Favorite Scenes – Taking interactivity to a new level,
this disc allows fans to arrange and edit their favorite scenes into a montage
for playback. Also, through a simple registration, fans can share their montages
with each other in an online community. Not perfectly executed, the potential
of the HD DVD format is hinted at with this feature.
• Web Enabled Feature – Unlike the great Blood Diamond
web features, 300 only features a marketplace for fans to test
and purchase mobile downloads for their phone. An okay option, this still reeks
of commerciality. It would have been nice to have a simpler, more fan oriented
online aspect. Perhaps some more polls?
ONLY ONE WILL WIN
And that one is clear: the HD DVD. Although the Blu-ray release is a strong
title, it is the special features that place the HD DVD disc above the rest.
With incredible special features and exclusive content, this release shines
as a must own title for anyone with a HD DVD playing capability.
Blu-ray Disc Grade
Film Grade: B+
HD Sound Grade: A
HD Vision Grade: A
Packaging & Layout Grade: A-
Special Features Grade: B
Overall Blu-ray Disc Grade: A-
HD DVD Grade
Film Grade: B+
HD Sound Grade: A-
HD Vision Grade: A
Packaging & Layout Grade: A-
Special Features Grade: A+
Overall HD DVD Grade: A
Comparison
Film: N/A
HD Sound: Blu-ray Disc
HD Vision: N/A
Packaging & Layout: N/A
Special Features: HD DVD
Winner: HD DVD
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