Igor (2008/MGM
Blu-ray)
Picture: B
Sound: B Extras: C Feature: C
The computer animation feature film sweepstakes continues
with MGM’s attempt at a hit with Tony Leondis’ Igor (2008) about a world with many Igors and in the best thing we
can say about it outside of being a child-safe entertainment, we finally get a
Horror comedy from someone other than (or with the involvement of) Tim Burton
and that makes it worth a look just on that level, breaking a long dry spell of
monotony very long overdue.
That does not make it as fun as The Groovie Goolies
either, but this is a surprisingly ambitious effort that really wants to give
its audience a good time instead of what we too often get versus the usual
formula for supposedly diverse character personalities standing around making
bad jokes before going on to a predictable and often boring adventure with
subpar animation to boot.
This animation is a little soft, but uses color to its
advantage and the story about an Evil Science Fair is an amusing idea. John Cusack, Molly Shannon, John Cleese,
Eddie Izzard, Christian Slater and even Jay Leon are among the voices used
effectively enough and unlike most CG work that seems like a rush-job on the
script and performance part, the people making this have some energy and seem
to be having some fun. That has been
lost in this so-called digital revolution where only Pixar and DreamWorks seem
to have that luxury based on their past successes. At 86 minutes, it is just the right length
and is worth a look for animation fans and children.
The 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image is a
little softer than I would have liked, but it is here on a 50GB Blu-ray and
other aspects like color and consistency help make it easier to watch, while
the DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 (MA) lossless mix has some interesting choices, but
does not take advantage fully of all the audio possibilities. The result is sonic limits it should not have
and that is despite some good recording throughout. Extras include an alternate opening scene,
massive stills section and audio commentary by Leondis, Writer Chris McKenna
and Producer Max Howard.
- Nicholas Sheffo
