Cosmos:
A Spacetime Odyssey (2014/Fox Blu-ray Set)
Picture:
A Sound: A Extras: A Episodes: A
Cosmos
is all that is and every was and is EASILY one of the best Blu-ray
releases of the year. It's Science class without the homework. Not
only is it an incredible and informative program that you can't help
but enjoy but is presented here with incredible picture and sound
quality that is out of this world! (Bad pun) If you have ever
stared up at the stars and wondered what more is out there or are a
genuine science nerd then this is for you. The special effects and
filmmaking here is top notch as is the overall concept and delivery.
It also makes you realize that we are but tiny ants in the galaxy!
The
show is a follow-up to the 1980 television series Cosmos: A
Personal Voyage (reviewed elsewhere on this site) which was
presented by Carl Sagan on the Public Broadcasting Service and is
considered a milestone for scientific documentaries. This series was
developed to bring back the foundation of science to network
television at the height of other scientific-based television series
and films. The show is presented by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse
Tyson, who as a young college student, was inspired by Sagan. Among
the executive producers are Seth MacFarlane, whose clout and
financial investment were instrumental in bringing the show to
broadcast television, and Ann Druyan, Sagan's widow and a co-creator
of the original series. The series loosely follows the same
thirteen-episode format and storytelling approach that the original
Cosmos used, including elements such as the Ship of the
Imagination and the Cosmic Calendar, but features
information updated since the 1980 series along with extensive
computer-generated graphics and animation footage augmenting the
narration. There's also a great score by Alan Silverstri and
cinematography (and directing) by Bill Pope - who shot The Matrix.
The
1080p high definition transfer is flawless and full of incredible
details. It also preserves the original 1.78:1 aspect ratio of the
original broadcast. The audio is also superior with an English
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Subtitles are also included on the
disc in English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch. The
slipcover packaging is also very cool (and shiny!) Total runtime is
662 minutes!
Extras
on Disc One include Audio Commentary or Standing Up in the Milky
Way which features Ann Druyan, Mitchell Cannolo, Brannon Braga, Jason
Clark and Kara Vallow.
Disc
Two features Celebrating Carl Sagan: A Selection from the Library
of Congress Dedication is a great piece focusing on a bequest of
Sagan's papers and notebooks to the Library of Congress.
Disc
Three includes Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey at Comic-Con 2013
and finally Disc Four, which has Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey - The
Voyage Continues and Interactive Cosmic Calendar which
features Ann Druyan as host and voiceover artist in this compendium
of information laid out on a timeline accessible by choosing any
given cosmic month. Various pit stops on the calendar feature more
information about that particular epoch or event.
This
is a release not to be missed!
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.vimeo.com/jamielockhart
