Top Gear-The Worst Car in the History of the World (2012)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	Main Menu Audio & Animation Deleted Scenes-via app
Rating
Year Of Production	2012
Running Time	73:23
RSDL / Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Jeremy Clarkson James May
Case	Amaray-Transparent
RPI	?	Music	None Given

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
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). This disc is a one off special entitled Top Gear - The Worst Car in the History of the World and was produced in 2012. According to the cover it has never been seen on TV. I certainly don't recall it being on TV in this country.

     The show features Jeremy Clarkson & James May arguing about cars which as always is fun and entertaining. The concept is not completely clear but it seems they are trying to choose the worst car ever that should have been done better considering its price and pedigree rather than simply the worst car ever produced. They do show some of the absolute worst cars ever produced such as a Mohindra and a particularly nasty car from communist Poland called the FSO. They also show some of their favourite cars like the Ferrari 458 Spider and a new Lexus LFA and the new Toyota GT86. Then they get into some cars which fit their main criteria like some Peugeot's, the Ford GT (although this may just be James making fun of Jeremy), Saabs, Alfas and James' Rolls Royce. They also have a terrible fate lined up for the one they determine to be the worst car in the history of the world (all things considered). The Stig's Yorkshire cousin also makes an appearance.

     All in all, this is an entertaining special but really doesn't set the world on fire. There is fun to be had for Top Gear fans but the concept is a bit disjointed and really is just the two guys stuffing about, making fun of various cars and of each other. It feels like it has been cobbled together rather than had a lot of time spent on the idea. Having said that, it would certainly be of interest to fans and would make a good stocking stuffer for Christmas.

Video

     The video quality is very good.

     The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 16x9 enhanced.

     The picture was quite clear and sharp throughout. The shadow detail was very good.

     The colour was very good but seemed a little too vivid at times.

     There was some mild aliasing, some MPEG grain and just a little macro-blocking 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 very good.

     This disc contains a English soundtrack in Dolby Digital 5.1.

     Dialogue was generally clear and easy to hear and understand.

     The surround speakers were used quite a bit for car noises, atmosphere and music

     The subwoofer was used to support the music and car noises.

Audio Ratings Summary

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

Menu

     The menu included music and motion. It was loud!

Interactive Content

     This disc features the use of another app for your iPhone, android or iPad, Aurasma. This app picks up visual cues from the DVD and displays extra content. One item is triggered by pointing the app (using your device's camera) at the front cover which makes the cover come to life and then shows you a preview of the show. Secondly, a particular scene within the show will cause the app to give you a selection of deleted scenes. Interesting app and the content is OK too.

    This show is available in the UK in the same format and also on Blu-ray.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is very good.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall