Top Gear-The Great Adventures: India & Supercars Across Italy (Blu-ray) (2012)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	Main Menu Audio & Animation Audio Commentary-1 episode Deleted Scenes-lots
Rating
Year Of Production	2012
Running Time	129:24 (Case: 259)
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	None Given
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	$39.95	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 2.0
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080i
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	English for the Hearing Impaired	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

     Top Gear has been on UK Television on and off since 1978, however, most people probably associate the name more with the current incarnation featuring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond & James May which has been running since 2002 (although May didn't join until 2003). They recently finished the 18th series on UK television. This set contains The Great Adventures - India special which preceded Season 18 and an edited version of the first episode of Season 18, which featured a special of Supercars Across Italy. Essentially, the editing is to remove the parts of the episode not related to the special. These two specials each have their own, single layer Blu-ray disc which also include extras specific to each special. The two shows are quite different, although both feature the usual 'cocking about'.

     The India special features the boys going on a 'trade mission' to India, promoting British products. They each select a classic British vehicle they can buy for less than 7000 pounds to drive across India from south to north, finishing in the Himalayas. James buys a Rolls Royce, Jeremy a Jaguar and Richard a Mini Cooper. This special is a bit patchy compared to recent ones, such as the Middle East challenge. There are some excellent segments such as the hill climb, the train journey and the last section in the Himalayas. There are also some quite lame sections such as the Jabawalha lunch deliveries and the trade party in Delhi. It is entertaining and worthwhile for fans but hardly sets the world on fire. It runs nearly 90 minutes.

     The second special, as I mentioned above, is an edited episode of Season 18. It runs for about 40 minutes and features the boys each selecting a supercar which is not the one they all think is the best, the latest Ferrari. Jeremy chooses a Lamborghini, James a McLaren and Richard a Noble. They do some track racing to see who will go the fastest and also race around Imola and have trouble parking in the small streets of Rome. This is a fun special, well worth watching.

     Although there is fun to have here, it is not the best release from Top Gear.

Video

     The video quality is very good but unfortunately only 1080i.

     The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 1080i encoded using AVC.

     The picture was quite clear and sharp throughout but not as good as some film based Blu-rays, affected by some motion blur. The shadow detail was very good.

     The colour was generally pretty good, but faces seemed a little too red in some scenes.

     There was some mild aliasing at times.

     There are subtitles available in English for the Hearing Impaired which are clear and easy to read.

     There are no obvious layer changes during playback.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The audio quality is good.

     This disc contains a English soundtrack in DTS HD-MA 2.0.

     Dialogue was very clear and easy to hear and understand.

    The sound was clear with good front separation.

     The surround speakers and subwoofer were not used.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Menu

     The menu included music and motion. Subtitles are available for the extras as is a play all option.

Disc 1

Commentary - James May & Crew

     A decent commentary which covers trivia, jokes at the expense of Jeremy & Richard, editing choices and some behind the scenes information. It is quite listenable but not overly exciting and there are some pauses.

Indian Driving Chat (3:20)

     The boys discuss the nature of driving on Indian roads and how it might help England to change to their style.

Tenting - The Night Before (3:47)

     Extra footage of the boys chatting around the fire. Some funny stuff.

Garden Party Preparations (3:03)

     Extended footage of preparation for garden party.

Hammond's Guide to Party Etiquette (2:03)

     Richard goes through the list of do's and don'ts provided by the embassy.

Tenting - The Morning After (4:47)

     Jeremy & James complain in an amusing manner.

Disc 2

Stig Laps (3:12)

     Stig doing laps of their home track in each of the three supercars.

First High Speed Attempts (3:54)

     The boys scare themselves as they attempt to be the fastest driver.

Stig practice laps at Imola (4:12)

     Ok, but a bit tedious.

Italy Opening - The Row Continues (2:24)

     Deleted scene of the boys arguing and being rude.

Hammond's Journey to Rome (2:20)

     More of Hammond in the tow truck.

Mr Slowly's Keys (2:52)

     Deleted scene of May trying to find the keys to his supercar.

MPG Calculations (2:13)

     Boys argue about calculations.

Imola Track Tactics (2:08)

     The boys discuss how fast Imola is.

Jeremy buys Richard a gift (2:21)

     More 'cocking about'.

    This set is available in the same format in the UK.

     The two latest specials from Top Gear.

     The video quality is very good but only 1080i.

     The audio quality is good.

     A decent set of extras.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall