STACK #141 Jul 2016

BLU-RAY NEWS

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BATMAN v SUPERMAN ULTIMATE EDITION Y ou may have noticed that bonus features appear to be disappearing from DVDs of late. Blu-ray is now where it's at if you

want audio commentaries, deleted scenes, alternate endings, behind-the-scenes featurettes and other goodies. Moreover, many of the special and limited editions released are not just exclusive to JB Hi-Fi – they're exclusive to Blu-ray. It's not just the High-Def image quality that makes the format so desirable and collectable. The release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice this month is a prime example of the value added material you'll only find on Blu-ray. Moviegoers and reviewers who criticised the superhero showdown for being far too busy and lacking narrative coherency – even at 151 minutes – will find an extended cut of the film on the Blu-ray edition, running a whopping 182 minutes, that promises to deliver a more satisfying experience. Director Zack Snyder had already announced that a longer "R-rated" cut was being prepped for the home entertainment market while the film was still in cinemas – referring to an America R (the equivalent of an MA15+ here). The extended version on the Ultimate Edition retains an M-rating, with "coarse language" added to the consumer advice, suggesting the focus will be on storytelling additions – and swearing! – rather than violence. Early reports hint that the pacing has indeed been improved, more attention given

feature up to two hours of special features, and JB customers will have the choice of five Blu-ray editions to choose from. Five! There's a standard 2-disc version if you just want the movie and extras, as well as a 3D option, but collectors are well catered for with several more lavish editions. A Limited Edition Steelbook and a Deluxe Edition , the latter featuring a 144-page hardcover graphic novel titled Batman vs Superman: The Greatest Battles,

are exclusive to JB Hi-Fi stores while stocks last. And a Limited Edition 64-page Digibook with Lenticular Cover will also be available.

to the scenes in Africa, some additional and extended action sequences, extra Jimmy Olsen, and a glimpse of Jena Malone's character (who doesn't appear in the theatrical version). There's also a rumour that the film will now feature a subtle connection to the upcoming Suicide Squad , further binding it to the expanding DC universe. As well as the extended and theatrical cuts, the Batman v Superman Blu-ray editions will

BLU-RAY

BLU-RAY ROUND-UP

With all the new releases reviewed elsewhere in the magazine, this column will focus on all things Blu-related – the bonus bits, the transfers, the deleted scenes, the limited edition JB exclusives, notable catalogue titles that are new to Blu, and other exciting aspects of HD home entertainment. Words: Scott Hocking

I f you haven't already grabbed a copy of Tarantino's The Hateful Eight , don't wait too much longer or you'll miss out on JB's exclusive Limited Edition. The disc is housed in a slipcase featuring

sequels to Jaws allowed collectors to finally own the set in High-Def, although only completists would bother with the risible Jaws: The Revenge . But

during the 3D revival of the early eighties, when the format was less about depth of image and more about hurling things at the

window look good.

Whatever you thought of Ben Stiller's belated Zoolander sequel, you can't fault the dedication to bonus content on the Zoolander 2: Magnum Edition , which is

it's there if you want it. The pick of the bunch is Jaws 2 , which features a rich, colourful transfer and all the extras from the prior DVD release, including some worthwhile deleted scenes. It looks great; just

audience, Jaws 3 makes up in

alternate artwork (which to this eye is more aesthetically pleasing than the red cover variant) and includes a glossy 30-page collector's booklet with liner notes and production insights from Tarantino. Needless to say the transfer looks fantastic, preserving the 70mm frame in the Ultra Panavision widescreen ratio of 2.76 – just don't watch it on a small screen. The recent release of the three

comin' at ya effects what it lacks in all other departments (script, performances, a believable shark, et al). And the 3D Blu-ray version is surprisingly terrific and a lot of fun, faithfully replicating

exclusive to JB while stocks last. Like its namesake look, this set is fully loaded with an exclusive bonus disc that collects the World

Tour promotional footage – which includes a Paris Walk Off with Cara Delevingne, the London Abbey Road photoshoot, and of course the Sydney Harbour Bridge visit – plus extra featurettes.

don't go in expecting the same kind of high quality restoration that was lavished on the original for its Blu-ray debut. Jaws 3 is also worth picking up for those with 3D TVs. Produced

the cinema experience. Moreover, it looks better and plays less cheesy in its intended 3D version, although nothing can make that awful shot of the shark smashing the observation

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