Viy aka Forbidden Empire 3D Blu-ray(2012) [Region B Locked] [International Cut only]

[nycomet]

Placed the preorder on amazon.de today.

[levcore]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

Monster designs look good here.

I absolutely agree, they really look wonderful. I love the thing that steps across the table at the end of the trailer, with cloven hoofed arms and wings. Reallt crazy creature design right there.

[Jbug]

Originally Posted by levcore

I absolutely agree, they really look wonderful. I love the thing that steps across the table at the end of the trailer, with cloven hoofed arms and wings. Reallt crazy creature design right there.

Yep, reminds me of Terry Gilliam.

[levcore]

Originally Posted by Jbug

Yep, reminds me of Terry Gilliam.

Yes, like something from Brother's grimm.

[deltatauhobbit]

Looks like Viy is going to be released in the United States... except it's going under the title Forbidden Empire... but it's not going to be released in 3D here... or even blu. Yep, another DVD only release here in the States. Chalk up another title to import and this time not just for 3D but HD.

Source from Amazon

At least you can rent it in 2D HD right now to see if it's worth the cost to import.

[txfrightmare]

Has anyone that pre ordered this via Amazon.de received a shipping notice? The page says the release date is July 2nd but mine hasn't shipped yet.

[levcore]

Originally Posted by txfrightmare

Has anyone that pre ordered this via Amazon.de received a shipping notice? The page says the release date is July 2nd but mine hasn't shipped yet.

Way to early for shipping mate. I doubt we'd get shipping until release day, going from past experience.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by txfrightmare

Has anyone that pre ordered this via Amazon.de received a shipping notice? The page says the release date is July 2nd but mine hasn't shipped yet.

Prince of Demons 3D /(Viy3D) Shipped today.

[the13thman]

Mine is currently "Versand wird vorbereitet" (being prepared for shipping)

[benderal]

Mine shipped and I should have it in 3 weeks.

[Paul H]

Originally Posted by txfrightmare

Has anyone that pre ordered this via Amazon.de received a shipping notice? The page says the release date is July 2nd but mine hasn't shipped yet.

Prince of Demons 3D /(Viy3D) Shipped today.

Was surprised to find this movie in my mailbox today since it was only released four days ago.

Started playing it to check features and I ended up watching the whole movie.

It's that good!.

This is an amazing story of European Slavic folklore having excellent CGI special effects. The humor was excellent; refreshing and spaced for relief moments.

Humor was welcome and needed for offseting horrific moments of the plot. Won't go into detail because of spoilers..

Overall I'm thrilled with this feature.

3D is native and the live-action is strong at times.
CGI has several refreshing styles.
The aspect ratio 1.78:1 fills the 16x9 screen.

Blu-ray 3D is region B locked.
Audio has an English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 option and there is a "no-subtitle' option and nothing is forced.

The English audio also compliments the majority of the actors who are actually speaking in English.

[Paul H]

Was up late last night documenting cast & crew via the end-film credits.

There is an extra on the Blu-ray 3D; the theatrical trailer, available in both 3D or 2D versions with an English auido option and "no subtitle" choice.

The DVD disc in the set contains the Bonus Material.
It is a region 2 locked disc with PAL system encoding. Fortunately it plays flawlessly on my Oppo 103 with the external region-free adapter attached, and no pre-setting required for DVDs.
Contents are in English - Making of (29:14), Interview with Hauptdarstellar Jason Flemyng (2:52)., Interview with the Sound Designer Bob Beemer (2:14)., B Roll (4:42), Photo Gallery (5:01), Photo Gallery-Behind the scenes (12:46), Trailer Gallery 1 (Original English or German)(1:34) Trailer Gallery 2 (Original English) (2:14), Trailer Gallery 3 (Original English) (2:38), Production notes: (in German-script only) (5:00).

[levcore]

Great comments Paul H, you're awesome! My copy arrived today too, will be watching it this evening, I'm very psyched after your positive write up

[3D4ever]

Originally Posted by levcore

Great comments Paul H, you're awesome! My copy arrived today too, will be watching it this evening, I'm very psyched after your positive write up

Very curious to hear your thoughts on this one mate!

[levcore]

i'll let you know buddy, hopefully this will be a good un like paul says!

Pics for anyone interested:

[levcore]

It's worth noting that the title from the cover of the German blu translates as: Prince of Demons i think this is a much better title than Viy. Although Viy does refer to the main antagonist of the movie.

Well Paul H was spot on in his write up, Viy/ Prince of Demons was fantastic entertainment, absolutely great fun. Tone wise it's a bit like Princess Bride/ The Brother's grimm. Not as good as TPB obviously but a far better movie than TBG. The FX are awesome throughout, really great CG combined with some awesome practical FX and make up work. This movie even has stop motion in it! I couldn't believe it, a 2015 live action movie that uses stop motion animation! The whole movie is just a great mix of different FX styles.

There are pop outs galore, you can tell everything was shot with major consideration given to the 3D. From little flying critters coming out of the screen, to magix FX, burning embers, particles, coins, swords. So much stuff is getting thrown out at the viewer. An early pop out with a coin made me blink and then i had to laugh at myself for doing so. I love when something surprises you like that. Also the movie is full screen which is always prefered for 3D.

The creature design first rate, some of the best and most imaginative looking creatures i've seen in a movie in a long time. Think Guillermo Del Toro's imagination but taken to the next level. title.

The story is fun and entertaining, the characters are well drawn, the plot is good (with a few twists and turns along the way) and there is plenty of good humour. Parts of the movie felt like Evil Dead 2/ Army of Darkness in terms of the humour mixed with the macabre.

The only drawback is that the whole movie is dubbed into English. So even the English speaking actors such as Jason Flemyng and Charles Dance have re-dubbed their voices. Not so distracting with Dance as he has limited screen time but obviously it's slightly odd watching Flemyng act but with his voice slightly out of sync with his lips at times. If you can get past this minor gripe then i faily to see any fan of gothic fantasy not have a great time with this movie. It's not too far off from Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters really but personally i think it's a lot better than that.

The 3D is medium strong throughout with some shots going very strong. This is a no brainer as far as i'm concerned. I advise everyone to pick it up when they can! I'll be doing a review for my and 3d4ever's 3d reviews site real soon, so keep checking.

[the13thman]

Mine arrived this morning so I'll be watching it tonight, looks like it's my kind of movie... the dubbing is admittedly somewhat off-putting but at least there are no subtitles to interfere with the excellent 3D.

[jsobko]

I quite enjoyed this re imagining of this story.

[Paul H]

Took close to 50 screen grabs of cinema-graphic eye-candy. Few samples below:

Caught in bed by her father:

[Show spoiler]1 Caught.jpg

CGI Demons;

[Show spoiler]9.jpg

[Show spoiler]21.jpg

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[Show spoiler]31.jpg

[levcore]

ha ha awesome grabs, the creature design was immense and that dinner table scene was something else completely!