Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem

Fox provides an 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode for 'ALIENS vs. Predator: Requiem' (framed at 2.40:1), with both the theatrical and unrated versions available from the start-up menu via seamless branching. Not only is the integration of the two cuts flawless, but the transfer is generally excellent -- easily one of the best I've seen lately from the studio.

The source is pristine, with a slick, detailed look that provides excellent pop. Blacks are inky and rich, and contrast is very well modulated without being too hot. Colors are vivid, clean, and not excessive, resulting in very appealing richness and deep orange fleshtones (aside from moments when the lighting becomes overtly stylized). Visible depth is reference-quality, with a wonderfully three-dimensional image that provides many demo-worthy moments.

Note that the transfer can be intentionally dark (particularly in the lair of the predators and other dank, subterranean locations). Yet even here I was generally satisfied, as shadow delineation holds, with only a bit of black crush obscuring the finest details. Overall the encode is also quite clean, with no obvious artifacts, except for instances of slight noise on wide solid patches of intense color. These minor nitpicks do keep me from giving 'AvP:R' a full five-star Video rating, but for most of its runtime, this presentation delivers plenty of bang for the buck.

For a film as utterly inconsequential as this, its makers sure take it seriously, as proven my this extensive supplement package. (All of the video extras are in 480p/i/MPEG-2 video, and there are no subtitle options provided.)

• Audio Commentaries - The first is with directors Colin and Greg Strause, and producer John Davies. It's the kind of track that's enthusiastic, but won't sway anyone's opinion -- the movie still sucks. Adding fuel to the critical fire is the fact that the Brothers Strause actually discuss the casting and "acting," as if it mattered. Less laughable is their considerable knowledge of the comic book series, which influenced their script more than may be apparent. Davies, meanwhile, acts largely as a cheerleader, and helps in recounting the often arduous shoot in Canada.
  
  A second commentary track features special effects supervisors Tom Woodruff Jr. and Alec Gillis of Amalgamated Dynamics, the house behind the film's creature effects. A little of this type of discussion goes a long way for me, but this is a must-listen for effects fans. I was quite impressed with the man-in-a-rubber-suit tricks of 'AvP:R' over the CGI, and the pair go into quite generous detail regarding the conception, shooting, and post-production of the creature moments. Unfortunately, this track blands out by the end, with far too much dead air. No pun intended.
  
• Production Featurettes (SD, 28 minutes) - There are two here, all culled from the same batch of filmmaker interviews and laced with plenty of above-average making-of material. "Preparing for War: Development and Production" (16 minutes) is exactly what its title suggests. We get good background on the quick gestation of the project, the tough shoot (it's all water and darkness), and an intro to the conceptualization of the titular creatures. Cast comments are limited to the "Holy shit, I'm in an 'ALIEN' movie!" variety. "Fight to the Finish: Post-Production" (12 minutes) is actually more interesting, documenting how the Strause Brothers rushed to get the film to theaters while trimming the goriest bits to achieve an R-rating. There is also a look at some early CGI concepts and how they were fine-tuned for the final cut.
  
• Effects Featurettes (SD, 24 minutes) - This time there's three, and again they are all assembled from the same EPK material. "The Nightmare Returns: Creating The Aliens" (8 minutes) is a cool look at the early modeling and sculpting of the aliens and face-huggers, and how they updated the look from the original designs by H.R. Giger. "Crossbreed: Creating The PredAlien" (also 8 minutes) dissects the film's ace-in-the-hole, the mutated crossbreed that is, admittedly, pretty wicked. Finally, "Building The Predator Homeworld" (7 minutes) looks at the use of models, miniatures, and CGI to create the base of the predators. As with all of these featurettes, there's a nice mix of interviews, on-set footage, and concept illustrations.
  
• Still Galleries (HD) - For those who still haven't had their fill of creature designs, there are seven galleries here, with well over a hundred stills. Navigation makes good use of the format's color-coded remote buttons, so you can swish through a gallery with ease and view any image in a larger view. The seven galleries include "Designing the Alien," "Designing The Predator" and "Designing The PredAlien," plus four "On the Set" collections: "The Rooftop," "The Sewer," "The Hive," and "Cast And Crew."
  
• Added Footage Marker - If you're curious about the differences between the theatrical and unrated versions on the disc, flick on this feature. As the unrated cut progresses, an icon will pop up whenever footage appears that's not in the theatrical release. If nothing else, this feature illustrates just how little substance there is (outside of quick gore shots) in the "extreme" version.
  
• Digital Copy (SD) - A second DVD disc included in the set provides a downloadable digital copy of the movie. Just pop the disc in your PC, and the transfer to your computer (or other portable video device, such as an iPhone) is a snap. (Note that the digital copy is standard-def resolution only.)
  
• Theatrical Trailers - Fox includes two trailers for 'AvP:R,' plus HD spots for the original 'Alien vs. Predator,' 'Behind Enemy Lines,' 'Planet of the Apes (2001),' 'The Transporter,' 'Hitman,' and the current theatrical release 'Jumper.'