Piranha 3D Blu-ray (2010) [Region Locked / Free]

[Suntory_Times]

Review from my blog:

Piranha 3D Blu-Ray Review (Australian Release):



Note: The Australian release indicates on the back cover that it is coded for all regions, and unlike the American release contains both tyhe 2d and 3d versions of the film as well as the special features found only on the 2d release in America.


Picture Quality:

Piranha 3D comes to blu-ray presented in 2.40:1 using the AVC codec. Note: Piranha was shoot using ‘traditional’ 2d cameras and was in post converted to 3d. However unlike other films that have been converted and released this year, it was intended to convert Piranha before shotting begun, and thus the film was shoot with 3d in mind. Despite this the 3d is mediocre at best, and the planned to be shot in 3d really seems to have translated to throw some stuff at the audience. Furthermore depth seems to be lacking in several shots. Thankfully ghosting is kept to a minimum, outside of the opening titles which have egregiously noticeable ghosting. Detail is strong throughout and colours are generally natural. Likewise very little black crush is evident. There is also some banding in several scenes but otherwise digital anomalies are nowhere to be seen.

Note: the 3D blu-ray of Piranha contains both the 2d and 3d version of the film. Minus the issues directly related to 3d (ghosting for example), the 2d and 3d version are identical in terms of detail, banding etc.


Audio Quality:

Presented using a 5.1DTSHDMA soundtrack Piranha comes to blu-ray with adequate, yet underwhelming results. Detail is strong throughout, and the sound design is good (but far from great). Surround is used during several of the piranha attacks but at no stage did I fell the ‘swarm’ surround me. Voices are clear throughout and are kept within the centre channel. Outside several ‘party’ moments with bombing bass songs the LFE is modestly present but lacks the punch that was occurring on screen, in what is sadly an average audio track.


Special Features:

Piranha 3D comes to blu-ray with a small number of special features, which hold no real value and are as disappointing as the small number of special features that are provided.


The Film Itself:

Piranha is a film that feels like it has had an identity crises, on one hand Piranha aims to be a horror comedy but at other times (in particular the beach attack) it seems to be going for extreme gore. Sadly unlike Drag Me To Hell or Evil Dead 2, the two never really work well with one another and thus the film fells like two different takes on the same general story with the final result being the film-makers deciding to use scenes from both and putting them next to each other. It must also be said that the cgi Piranhas always look like cgi and never really seem a part of their environment. Given this the Piranhas are never able to appear in the slightest bit threatening and they fell detached to the film (which given Piranha is the title of the film is quite disappointing). It is not all bad, those looking to see a notable amount of gore will be pleased and there are also several chuckle worthy scenes.


The Verdict:

Piranha 3D comes to blu-ray and comes with a strong video presentation, average sound quality a poor selection of special features and thus comes recommended as a skip if the trailer did not interest you. However if the trailer did seem like a fun film to you it comes recommended as a rent.



- Gabi