ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH 3D [2013] [3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray] [UK Release]
Earth's Greatest Secrets . . . Are About To Break Out!
This fantastic, funny 3D animated adventure crosses all galaxies to entertain the entire family! Sibling rivals from the Planet BAAB, with Brainiac Gary Supernova [Rob Corddry] who works all the gizmos at Mission Control, while his butch stud brother Scorch Supernova [Brendan Fraser] performs all the all the superhero stuff. But when Scorch Supernova is sent on an SOS operation to the Dark Planet [otherwise known as Planet Earth], from which no alien has ever returned and it's up to Brainiac Gary Supernova to rescue him, their planet and the universe. This out-of-the-world fun includes a stellar voice cast including Rob Corddry, Brendan Fraser, Sarah Jessica Parker, William Shatner, Craig Robinson, George Lopez, Jane Lynch and Sofía Vergara.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 2013 BMI Film & TV Awards: Win: BMI Film Music Award for Film Music for Aaron Zigman.
FILM FACT No.2: The film was directed by Cal Brunker, who previously worked as a storyboard designer on the films ‘Despicable Me,’ ‘Horton Hears a Who!’ and ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift.’ The animated film was originally set for release on the 14th February, 2013, but was pushed back to 15th February, 2013, due to conflicting schedules.
Voice Cast: Brendan Fraser (Scorch Supernova), Rob Corddry (Gary Supernova), Ricky Gervais (Mr. James Bing Computer Voice), Jonathan Morgan Heit (Kip Supernova), Jessica Alba (Lena Thackleman), Sofía Vergara (Gabby Babblebrock), Paul Scheer (Cameraman), Jason Simpson (Barry/Hazmat/Pilot), Sarah Jessica Parker (Kira Supernova), Doug Abrahams (Hazmat/Baabian Citizen), Jason Benson (Hazmat), Trevor Devall (Hazmat), Brian Dobson (Hazmat), Brad Dryborough (Hazmat), Gabe Khouth (Hazmat), Andrew Moxham (Hazmat), Kirby Morrow (Hazmat/Baabian Citizen), Silverman (Hazmat/Baabian Citizen), Adrian Petriw (Snark Beast), William Shatner (General William T. Shanker), Kaitlin Olson (3D Movie Girl), Bob Bergen (3D Movie Guy), Jim Ward (Grey 1), Cooper Barnes (Grey 2 & 3), Sean Kenin (Radio Host), Steve Zahn (Hawk), Chris Parnell (Hammer), Daran Norris (Orientation Film Host), George Lopez (Thurman), Craig Robinson (Doc), Jane Lynch [Io], Joseph Sanfelippo [BASA Guard 1], Scott Beehner (BASA Guard 2), Michael Dobson (Shanker's Father), Joshua Rush (Young Shanker), Tim Dadabo (Larry Longeyes), Ashley Araki (Baabian Citizen), Sylvia Zaradic (Baabian Citizen), Gregg Binkley (Ralph) (uncredited), Lucy Davenport (BASA Escape Pod Voice) (uncredited) and Bill Hader (Announcer) (uncredited)
Director: Carl Brunker
Producers: Bob Weinstein, Brian Inerfeld, Catherine Winder, George Tsvtanski, Gregory R. Little, Harry Linden, Harvey Weinstein, Ivan Bajic, Jinko Gotoh, Kerry Harrington, Luke Carroll, Marvin Peart, Phillip Glasser, Radenko Milakovic, Rick Mischel, Rodney Shealey, Stuart Lowder, Tamara Boutcher and Tony Leech
Screenplay: Bob Barlen (screenplay), Carl Brunker (screenplay), Dan Mazer (additional writing), David Javerbaum (additional writing), Stephen Fry (additional writing), Cory Edwards (based on a story) and Tony Leech (based on a story)
Composer: Aaron Zigman
Cinematography: Matthew A. Ward (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 3D Blu-ray: 2.35:1 and 2D Blu-ray: 2.40:1
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 84 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 1
Studio: The Weinstein Company / Entertainment Film Distributors
Andrew's Blu-ray Review: ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ [2013] has a pleasingly retro title, the kind that evokes 1950s black-and-white B-movies, UFOs on bits of string, papier-mache; alien costumes, classic Sunday afternoon television stuff. Although there's plenty of familiar references to the usual Area 51 archetypes, this yarn of aliens and UFOs is a decidedly modern affair, a zippy, hollow-but-harmless animated adventure in the Ice Age/Monsters vs Aliens mould, a half-term multiplex-filler and little more. ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ is a kind of parallel universe to ‘Planet 51,’ the 2009 animated comedy centring on an astronaut marooned on an alien world and his struggle to get home. The plot of the animation film is nearly identical to that of the earlier film, except everything is flipped. Here, the astronaut is a blue-skinned E.T. named Scorch Supernova (Voiced by Brendan Fraser) who has been captured by the U.S. military. After crash-landing in Area 51, Scorch Supernova is captured by the U.S. military, which throws him into a holding facility, along with every other little green man (and woman) who has ever had the misfortune to run out of dilithium crystals in the Nevada desert.
More often than not, when a film is released in the 3D format, you'll read a review that says the additional dimension adds nothing to one's enjoyment. However, when it comes to ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH,' the fun almost certainly comes from seeing it in the 3D version. In fact, I will go as far to say not to even waste your time with, if you feel you will not go and view it in 3D, then this review will not be very relevant for you to read any further, but sadly if you are not keen on viewing 3D films, then you will be missing out on a fantastic 3D animation film.
Directed by first-timer Carl Brunker, ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH' is another computer animated film that seems to aim to be a children’s animated film that seems to struggle sometimes whether it wants to be a 1950's B-movie spoof or a feel-good family film, but a lot of the jokes will go over their heads, but also some of the jokes will be familiar to adults. The animate film opens with viewers being introduced to two blue-coloured alien brothers and they are Gary Supernova (Voiced by Rob Corddry) Scorch Supernova's older brother and the head of mission control at BASA and the dimmer Scorch Supernova (Voiced by Brendan Fraser) Gary's younger, stronger, brother, who is an arrogant but benevolent space pilot. Although they're brothers, they're essentially the Woody and Buzz Lightyear of this animation film. Scorch Supernova has just returned from rescuing some babies from a hostile planet, when it's learned that the next mission will be to venture to the dark planet, which turns out to be Earth. After a disagreement, however, Gary Supernova tells Scorch Supernova he's quitting, leaving Scorch Supernova to go to Earth by himself and it is not long before he's kidnapped by government agents and something that Gary Supernova and the residents of his planet are able to view back home on their version of the news.
Gary Supernova decides to go to Earth to try and rescue his brother, but he isn't there long before he's captured himself and put into one of the holding cells in Area 51. Gary Supernova learns of a plan by General William T. Shanker (Voiced by William Shatner) to use a weapon to destroy Gary Supernova's planet and other captured aliens home worlds. The second half of the animation involves Gary Supernova and his new alien friends Doc (Voiced by Craig Robinson), Thurman (Voiced by George Lopez) and Io (Voiced by Jane Lynch) attempting to thwart the General William T. Shanker's evil plans, and rescue his brother, and of course escape from planet Earth.
While the plot is razor thin, some of the sight gags are going to be appealing for older viewers, and most involve Gary Supernova and Scorch Supernova's fish-out-of-water situation. There are a couple scenes at a 7-11 in the desert that provide a few laughs, including Gary Supernova getting his first taste of a frozen Slurpee, as well as a series of Area 51 jokes that will bring a smile to the face of all the Fox Mulders fans watching this 3D Blu-ray.
A few humorous moments appeal to adults, and we wished for more of them. There’s a an industrial, black-and-white ”documentary” on planet Earth, where the residents of planet BAAB learn that the Dark Planet is the only one in the universe that’s de-evolving, starting with the intelligent, gentle dinosaurs to a race of humans who war with each other. The Baab-ians also learn that the Dark Planet’s inhabitants choose their leaders by picking those with weird facial hair showing illustrations of Fidel Castro and other despot leaders.
‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ has a great voice cast, where you have a cute Sofía Vergara [Gabby Babblebrock]; a Vergara, who voices Scorch Supernova’s girlfriend reporter, is largely onscreen to be each time kissed by the valiant hero, each time he returns from a mission. We would have rather also seen more of the three little floating aliens that do the General William T. Shanker’s bidding. It’s not until the end of the animated film that we find out that one of them sounds like a dead ringer for Ringo Starr and two other Beatles. What I liked about this animated film are the compelling heroes that are trying to thwart the dastardly evil plan of General William T. Shanker that I know children and adults will be rooting for.
But the real way to view ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH' is via the awesome 3D Blu-ray, as the film takes full advantage of the format by throwing some stunning visuals at viewers, even when the storyline is less than engaging. The animated film has fun at both shooting things out at the audience while providing the kind of depth and clarity that 3D fans will love. At times, like snowflakes, explosions, lasers, and even parts of characters give a little added bonus fun to the 3D image presentation and again it is the only way to view ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ in the awesome 3D presentation.
ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH MUSIC TRACK LIST
SHINE SUPERNOVA (Written by Deron Johnson, Andrea Remanda, Charles Mack and Aaron Zegman) [Performed by Cody Simpson]
WHAT MATTERS MOST (Written by Aaron Zigman and Steve Diamond) [Performed by Delta Rae]
WATCH YOUR BACK (Written by Zack Arnett, Jaron Lamont, Jason Rabinowitz and Colton Fisher) [Performed by Zeazy Z]
DOLLAZ (Gotta Get It) (Bad Ass Remix) (Written by Zack Arnett, Colton Fisher, Jason Rabinowitz and Jaron Lamot) [Performed by The Fresh Force Four]
BOM BOM (Written by Aaron Horn, Sam Ritchie, Bloom De Wylde De Lindgy and Raz Olsher) [Performed by Sam and the Womp]
GEORGE VALENTIN (Written by Ludovic Bource) [Performed by Brussels Philharmonic and The Orchestra of Flanders]
GIVE ME YOUR HAND (Best Song Ever) (Written by Andrew Goldstein, Simon Wilcox and Jordan Witzigreuter) [Performed by The Ready Set]
BAMBOO TEA HOUSE (Written by Klaus Badelt, Andrew Raiher, Ian Honeyman and Christopher Carmichael) [Performed by Klaus Badelt]
BRIDAL CHORUS ORGAN VERSION (Written by Richard Wagner) [Arranged and Performed by Andrew Patrick Oye]
SHOOTING STAR (Written by Adam Young, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Hermansen, Dan Omelio and Matthew Thiessen) [Performed by Owl City]
3D Blu-ray Image Quality – The real incentive in getting this Blu-ray title is to view the film in 3D, and Entertainment Film Distributors has given viewers a top-notch 1080p image transfer and enhanced in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Colours are full of bright plethora of colours and very sharp details. As with the case with all 3D viewing, people say the 3D glasses are going to dim the picture a bit, but for me, watching this 3D Blu-ray disc there is none of that diming problem, but as to the 3D Blu-ray itself, this is one of the BEST animated titles I own. If you are looking to show off the brilliant 3D capabilities on your 3D television, this comes close to reference quality. Equally impressive is the 2D version, even though I think all the fun of the animation film comes from watching it via the 3D Blu-ray. Once again, it is a near reference quality transfers here, and with no complaints from me and you get plenty of simply gorgeous animated shots. Despite the script did not quite live up to the animation you get to view, because visually-speaking the animated film is pretty stunning. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio is active and immersive, although not nearly to the degree that the action is on-screen. As one can imagine, the animation film is packed with swooping spaceships, big fight sequences, and a lot of opportunities to have fun with the soundtrack. However, while all the speakers get plenty of activity, most of the directionality and rear speaker use is on the subdued side, which is to say, it's present, but doesn't always provide the oomph you would expect. Even with those minor complaints, the track is very well-balanced, especially the spoken dialogue, music, and background sounds are properly mixed and there are no apparent defects like popping, hissing, or other specific issues. This sound design makes the animated film come alive and will be a good reason to keep this 3D Blu-ray disc as a reference for your home theatre experience.
2D Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: The Making of ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ [2013] [1080p] [2.40:1/1.78:1] [21:13] This is a behind-the-scenes documentary does contain comments and we get interview footage with most of the main voice cast having them describe the plot and their characters and seeing do their lines in front of the big screen showing the scene they are recoding. Composer Aaron Zigman gets to sharing his thoughts and some piano playing of his film scoring process, and even seeing Aaron Zigman with the the 110 musicians in the famous Abbey Road Studio in London recording the main composed music for the animated film. We also get a plethora of clips from the animated film that I am sure was a way to promote the animated film. Contributors include: Brendan Fraser [Scorch Supernova], George Lopez [Thurman], Jane Lynch Io], Jonathan Morgan Heit [Kip Supernova], Sarah Jessica Parker [Kira Supernova], Rob Corddry [Gary Supernova], Jessica Alba [Lena Thackleman], Cal Brunker [Director], Sofía Vergara [Gabby Babblebrock], William Shatner [General William T. Shanker], Ricky Gervais (Mr. James Bing Computer Voice), Craig Robinson [Doc], Aaron Zigman [Composer], Dana Sano [Music Supervisor], Cody Simpson [Signing Artists] and Eric Hölljes [Song Writer].
Special Feature: Alternate Takes & Deleted Scenes [2013] [1080p] [2.40:1] [3:52] Here we get to view a collection of 13 different scenes that did not quite make it into the finished animated film and I personally wonder why and of course is for you to decide if you agree with me that they were best left out of the animated film.
Special Feature: How To Make An Animated Feature With Director Cal Brunker [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1] [3:41] Here we get to view a short little feature, with director Cal Brunker on how the animated film ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ goes from the animated storyboard concept, to pre-visualisation animation, to rough computer animation, to the final finished product of the animated feature film.
Special Feature: Delta Rae Performs “What Matters Most” [2013] [1080p] [1.78:1/2.40:1] [3:54] Here we meet Elizabeth Hopkins and Eric Hölljes, who are the singing group Delta Rae and talk about how that wanted the music video to represent the animated film. We then get clips from the film and the singing artists Delta Rae performing in the recording studio and in their home.
Special Feature: Owl City Music Video “Shooting Star” [2012] [1080p] [2.40:1/1.78:1] [4:14] Here we get to see more clips from the animated film. Plus we get to see Owl City performing with his piano on the streets of a city in America.
Special Feature: Cody Simpson Featurette “Shine Supernova” [2013] [1080p] [2.40:1] [2:42] Here we get to view the Australian singer Cody Simpson in the recording studio for the song “Shine Supernova” and again we get to see more clips from the animated film, and we also get to view scenes that were features in the special feature The Making of ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ as well as some extra footage.
Sneak Blu-ray Previews: ‘Planet 51’ [2010] [1080p] [2.35:1] [2:18]; ‘Animals United in 3D’ [2011] [1080p] [2.35:1] [00:50] and ‘The Harry Hill Movie’ [2014] [1080p] [1.78:1] [1:00].
Finally, ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ gives us a whole load of fun exploring its characters and universe. Even if the film isn't a bastion of originality, but it never takes it self very seriously and why not, as it is a good escapism animated film. It's a buoyant, bubbly, happy-go-lucky sort of animated film that just rolls with limited range and cleverly mixes together its pieces into an animation film that feels familiar but at the same time rather fresh. It's not an instant classic of its genre, but chances are younger ones will love it and parents with a Sci-Fi itch to scratch will enjoy it, too. This Entertainment Film Distributors 3D and 2D Bu-ray combo release of ‘ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH’ features tip-top video, excellent audio and amazing extras. If you read other people’s reviews, they say this is a very mediocre Blu-ray release, well that is such a load of rubbish, as this is a totally brilliant 3D animated film and I loved every minute and it was totally brilliant fun and I cannot find any fault with this animated film and you will be a fool to pass this by and I am so proud to add this to my ever increasing animation Blu-ray Collection and especially 3D Blu-ray discs, which I really love and is a massive bonus to me personally, despite people are predicting the demise of anything to do with 3D, as at most times they look so much more superior to what 3D you see in the cinema and all in all, it is good family entertainment. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
