Astonishing X-Men (2012) (Blu-ray Set Review)
Where to get it: Shout Factory
From master storyteller Joss Whedon (The Avengers) and Eisner Award winning artist John Cassaday come four breathtaking motion comic arcs that promise to shake the foundations of the X-Men forever! What we end up with here is two discs with two arcs on each and the results are amazing. Some of you may have already knew that these stories were first published as graphic novels and now here on Blu-ray these stories are brought to life. The four stories that each connect to the other are broken down like this..
Gifted
When Dr. Kavita Rao develops a controversial mutant cure, the X-Men once again find themselves battling against science, prejudice and a mysterious new alien foe!
Dangerous
The tragic death of a student at the Xavier Institute reveals that a powerful enemy is working from inside the mansion to destroy the X-Men: an enemy who knows all of their weaknesses and can predict their every move.
Torn
Emma Frost’s erratic behavior has the X-Men spinning in a nonstop downward spiral. Will an unlikely union be the final straw? Plus: The X-Man destined to destroy the Breakworld stands revealed!
Unstoppable
The X-Men are off to protect the Earth from its destruction at the hands of the Breakworld. And when it’s all over, nothing will ever be the same!
One of the best things about this set (besides the eye popping transfers) is the fact that each story tells their own tales in a full length fashion that can stand alone, but each also offers stuff that connects to the next one and once things are done you have a nearly five hour story that you’ve seen grown and become massive. Being a long time comic book geek that I am I enjoyed this a whole lot. I also enjoyed seeing other people like Nick Fury, The Fantastic 4, and more popping up to take part in these X-Men tales.
The thing to keep in mind is that these aren’t kid stories. There are very much a lot of adult oriented things taking place under this Marvel Knights label. It isn’t by any means R rated, but it sure as heck isn’t G rated either. That being the case means we see blood, we see sexually hinted at situations, and we get to see a character like Wolverine actually get to be himself. That right there makes any X-men story that much more enjoyable.
I won’t say that the stories are perfect by any means. I admit there was a time or two things seemed a little out of synch or the plot didn’t seem to add up. That however quickly was put aside because the rest of the tale had great action and plot twists. The transfers were nearly perfect, only being brought down slightly by some close shots being a little blurry-ish. Still, I’d recommend this to anyone who loves comic books or the X-Men.
The Set: (8.5/10)
The Transfer: (9/10)
Features
– Interviews with makers
– Music videos
– Trailer
– Behind the scenes
