Open Season 3 (Blu-ray) (2010)

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General		Extras
Category	Animation	Main Menu Audio & Animation Game-Rabbit Splat Mode Game-Boog's Cannon Blast Game Featurette-Making Of
Rating
Year Of Production	2010
Running Time	74:35
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Cody Cameron
Studio Distributor	Sony Pictures Home Entertain	Starring	David I. Stern Ciara Bravo Charlie Bright Cody Cameron Karley Scott Collins Mike Epps Crispin Glover
Case	Standard Blu-ray
RPI	$39.95	Music	Jeff Cardoni Nancy Frazen Arthur D. Noda

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 Italian DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 Spanish DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 Danish Dolby Digital 5.1 Finnish Dolby Digital 5.1 Hindi Dolby Digital 5.1 Norwegian Dolby Digital 5.1 Swedish Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	None	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	Yes

     Kids animation has produced some of the best films of the last few years and has also produced films which although quite entertaining for children certainly don't set the world on fire. The first Open Season film from Sony certainly falls into the latter category. Despite this it has spawned two sequels including this film, 2010's Open Season 3. To my knowledge this one did not get a local theatrical release and frankly despite being reasonably diverting probably didn't deserve one. Having said that I have certainly seen worse children's films which did get theatrical showings.

     The story here follows the main characters from the first two films, Boog the Bear and his best friend, Elliott the Deer. Boog is a favourite amongst the forest creatures as he helps them all when they need him. Elliott on the other hand is a good natured fool who relies on his children and long suffering wife to keep him from hurting himself (too badly). Boog, however, gets upset with his friends early in the film because they all pull out of a planned 'Guy's Trip' including Elliott. Boog decides to head off and join the circus. Unfortunately he gets tricked into staying in place of another bear, Doug. Here he meets a llama, Alistair (a highlight of the show especially his saliva problem) and a female bear Ursa. A variety of his friends set out to rescue him and restore their friendships.

     The voice cast and animation of this second sequel is not up to the usual standards of big productions, however, it is all quite well done and the story rollicks along and does not outstay its welcome. There are some amusing characters and situations but nothing to get too excited about. The running joke about the characters throwing live rabbits at each other may be considered a little distasteful (although amusing).

     If you are looking for something the kids haven't seen on a wet afternoon, this is probably worth a rental.

Video

     The video quality is excellent. The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 1080p native widescreen.

     The picture was very clear and sharp throughout. The shadow detail was also excellent. The colour was also excellent with lots of bright colours in the scheme. There were no noticeable artefacts.

     There are no subtitles which was slightly surprising for a big studio production.

     There is no noticeable layer change during the program.

Video Ratings Summary

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

Audio

     The audio quality is excellent. This BR contains two audio options, an English DTS HD-MA 5.1 soundtrack, the same in Italian & Spanish and Dolby Digital 5.1 in Danish, Finnish, Hindi, Norwegian & Swedish.

     Dialogue was clear and easy to hear except for some lines spoken too fast or in dodgy accents. The score by Jeff Cordoni is suited to the material but nothing exciting. The surround speakers were used constantly for music, atmosphere and lots of directional effects. The subwoofer was well used for thumps, thuds and music support.

Audio Ratings Summary

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

Menu

     The menu was functional but unexciting.

Rabbit Splat Mode

     Silly but fun for kids. This feature allows you to watch the film while flinging rabbits at the screen using the remote. The kids will love it.

Boog's Cannon Blast Game

     A well put together set top game which challenges you to use a cannon to fire various characters at a variety of obstacles which if done correctly will release Boog from a cage.

Progression Reel (1:03)

     One scene showing various elements of animation such as storyboards, layout, voices, lighting & final animation. Very short taster only.

    Global Blu-ray releases seem to be the same with the exception of some audio options.

     Diverting entertainment for the kiddies and better than most direct to DVD sequels.

    The video quality is excellent. The audio quality is excellent. The extras are OK but nothing spectacular.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall