Jurassic Park [DVD] [1993] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

For just shy of eight pounds, this is a truly brilliant release. Like many fans of the original Jurassic Park film, I've never been taken in too much with two sequels and so I held off purchasing the original 'Trilogy' pack, hoping that an individual release would arrive. This isn't to say that the latter films are unwatchable by any means, but I just wasn't prepared to pay more money for extra discs and 'Digital Copies' that don't really appeal to me.

Alas, Universal have answered and right on cue too! As part of their 100th Anniversary celebration, they've just released a smattering of some classic films in a 'Augmented Reality' edition. Don't know what that means? You're not missing out on too much here - the snazzy title just refers to an iPhone/iPad app that enables the customer to see 3D models on their device by aiming the camera towards the Blu-ray slipcover. Utterly pointless after about 10-seconds, but never the less, it's nice to Universal making some kind of original effort.

The product arrives with just one disc, which is the same one you'll find in the 'Trilogy' product for the first film. In demonstrating what good value this release is, I was really pleased to see that Universal had not only shot some brand new HD documentaries, but also, ported over a selection of the bonus features from the previous DVD releases. Excellent! And now you can ditch those copies without losing anything.

How does this Blu-ray stand up to the DVD's? I went to see Jurassic Park at the cinema a couple of years ago when the restoration was completed, and I was blown away by its cleanliness. The Blu-ray uses that same master, and what you get is a picture that completely outperforms the original DVD's. Before I bought the Blu-ray, I was skeptical at how the film would be downsized for home release after reading many reviews, but in all honesty, I have no idea where some of the criticism has come from. Detail is exceptional. You can make out individual pores on the actors skin, individual grains of sand and see all the textures of the stunning sets in a way you've never seen before (even as far as to notice details that were otherwise missed). Yes the image is grainy - that is because grain is a natural product of photography, and Jurassic Park features a heck of a lot of computer compositing. As the saying goes, you can please some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time.

And the sound? Wow. Once you watch the documentaries and see how the dinosaur calls were composed of many different animals, you won't listen to this film in the same way again. From the boom of the T-Rex's stomping to John William's beautiful score, you'll really feel like you're at the Park itself.

Universal have done a fantastic job with this release and it perfectly celebrates not just the legacy of the film, but also that of the studio itself. Spielberg has had some truly groundbreaking visions, and Jurassic Park more than any other demonstrates what could be achieved when the actors, producers, 'ILM' and special effects team at Stan Winston's workshop (to which, great credit is due) pulled together to create the future style of a Hollywood blockbuster.

*** THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2012 'AUGMENTED REALITY' BLU RAY ***

Part of Universal Studios "100th Anniversary" celebrations - there are 15 UK-released titles in this 23 April 2012 BLU RAY and DVD series - and "Jurassic Park" is one of them - an "Augmented Reality" issue.

Each of these re-releases has generic "100th Anniversary" card-wrap packaging on the outside with matching artwork on the inside box (no repackaging of old discs). The full series list (including US titles of which there are a lot more) is in the 'comment' section attached to this review...

So what is "Augmented Reality"? It's a 3D mini-show that's built into the front sleeve of each release. You download the free "Universal 100 App" from their website to your Smartphone or Tablet (iPhone 3GS or above, iPad 2, Android and other high-end devices) - you open the download and hold your phone/tablet over the front sleeve. It wirelessly loads and then begins playing a 3D display that lasts about 20 seconds - in this case you're looking down at a Velocaraptor attacking a Tyrannosaurus Rex while the Rex lets out that distinctive roar. That's it I'm afraid. Pretty silly stuff and over as soon as its begun.

Better however is the 'price' - this is the first time Universal has reissued BLU RAY retailing at less than ten pounds - these singular discs are eight quid in most places - the DVDs two for a tenner. And it's the first time "Jurassic Park" has been on BLU RAY as a single disc outside of the "Ultimate" Box Set (and with copious extras - some of which are new).

PRINT QUALITY:
Truth told it's not great. I recently reviewed "The Blues Brothers" in this series and before that the "Back To The Future" Trilogy Box Set - both of which have fabulous print quality. I wish I could say the same for "Jurassic Park". A large amount of the time there are dollops of shimmering grain on the print - especially if the scenes are indoors - of which there are a lot. You wouldn't think this would put you off - but at times it's so prevalent (computer room sequences with Samuel Jackson and Richard Attenborough) - it's all you see. And while the T.Rex attack sequence is still mind-blowing - as are the Velocaraptor chases inside the main facility - time has caught up with the rest of the prehistoric renderings - many of the dinosaur special effects shots looking decidedly dated and every so slightly out-of-focus.

SOUND:
Given a full on 7.1 surround remaster - the SOUND QUALITY is exceptional from the get go. Even on standard audio systems something as ordinary as the opening shot of trees blowing in the dark comes to life - leaves rustling and creature shrieks fill every corner of your room. It adds incredible power to so many scenes. I just wish the actual watch was better - but like "Close Encounters Of A Third Kind" - the BLU RAY seems to have made the viewing experience worse and not better - accentuating all too often how bad the print is.

PACKAGING MISTAKES/EXTRAS:
First up - some marketing bright spark has also stuck a lengthy "Lifetime Of Memories" Universal sticker right across the back of `each release' advertising holidays and prizes you can win - except that it completely covers that part of the back-cover which tells you what BONUSES on the disc. In other words you cannot visually tell what's actually on this release - even as you hold it in your hand! It's a simple mistake - but a staggeringly stupid one - and I'd argue sabotages sales of otherwise excellent titles.

And when you peel off the sticker - more carelessness. The card-wrap tells you there's a 'never-before-seen 6-part documentary featuring all-new interviews with Directors Steven Spielberg and Joe Johnston - cast and crew including...William H Macy'. THERE ISN'T. That blurb belongs to the 5-disc "Ultimate" Box Set. What you do get however is impressive - the first '3-parts' of that documentary - and an impressive 12 (not 13 as the box says) archival featurettes of old. You have to say that it's sloppy presentation to say the least and Universal could surely be had legally for advertising something that isn't on here? But - and it's worth re-stating this - what's on here is EXTENSIVE and properly indepth (see full list below).

The film itself is still hugely entertaining and a milestone in special effects development. The cup of water on the dashboard rippling as T.Rex approaches - the vegetation-eating long-necked Brachiosaurus nudging the children and Sam Neill in the tree - climbing the fence and getting off of it just before the electricity comes on - outrunning the 'meatosaurus' in one of the theme park cars with Jeff Goldblum caustically remarking afterwards "You think that was part of the tour?" - Bob Peck's face and remark as the Raptor ambushes him from the side instead of the front (dialogue above) - the 'When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth' banner falling to the ground at the end... "Jurassic Park" is Director Steven Spielberg at his entertaining best - expertly racking up so many scenes with palpable tension and thrills.

To sum up then - the silly gimmick packaging, content misrepresentation and sometimes disappointing picture quality aside - the single disc of "Jurassic Park" gives you a lot of bang for your buck. But I still can't help feel that if you can plum the extra for the Ultimate Box Set (same thing for the "Back To The Future" Trilogy set too) - then the multiple is a far better buy.

A good release then (and with great extras) - just don't expect that "Perfect Hi-Def Picture" as per the blurb on the back of the box.

BLU RAY Specifications:
VIDEO: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
AUDIO: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese DTS Surround 5.1
SUBTITLES: English SDH (Deaf/Hard Of Hearing), French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Icelandic, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish and Traditional Mandarin

SPECIAL FEATURES:
1, Return To Jurassic Park: Dawn Of A New Era (NEW - Part 1 of 6)
2. Return To Jurassic Park: Making Prehistory (NEW - Part 2 of 6)
3. Return To Jurassic Park: The Next Step In Evolution (NEW - Part 3 of 6)
4. Archival Featurettes:
1. The Making Of Jurassic Park
2. Original Featurette On The Making Of The Film
3. Steven Spielberg Directs Jurassic Park
4. Hurricane In Kauai Featurette
5. Behind The Scenes:
1. Early Pre-Production Meetings
2. Location Scouting
3. Phil Tippett Animatics: Raptors In The Kitchen
4. Animatics: T-Rex Attack
5. ILM and Jurassic Park: Before And After The Visual Effects
6. Foley Artists
7. Storyboards
8. Production Archives
6. Theatrical Trailer
7. Jurassic Park: Making The Game
8. My Scenes

PS: for details on Universal's "100th Anniversary" Series in general (both UK and USA) - see the 'comment' section attached to this review...

Jurassic Park will always have the bite that it had when it was first released for me. The technology on-screen is astounding, and I got it in a Steelbook, bonus!