RAMPAGE Blu-ray Combo Pack Review

Author: Keith Aiken Source: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Special Thanks to Tyler Robinson

Warner Bros. Pictures` RAMPAGE, starring Dwayne Johnson (JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE) and directed by Brad Peyton (SAN ANDREAS), will be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital this Tuesday, July 17. While movies based on video games have traditionally been terrible, this film (loosely based on the 1986 Midway arcade game) benefits by combining the light hearted action style Johnson has become known for with the classic giant monster movie genre. As primatologist Davis Okoye, Johnson makes for a likeable hero. The supporting cast features some solid performances from Naomie Harris (MOONLIGHT), Joe Manganiello (TRUE BLOOD, JUSTICE LEAGUE) and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (WATCHMEN, THE WALKING DEAD), though Malin Akerman (BILLIONS) and Jake Lacy (I"M DYING UP HERE) fare less well as the bland villains responsible for mutating a gorilla, wolf and alligator into agressive, giant beasts. The visual effects are strong, with the wolf`s attack on a mercenary unit led by Manganiello and the three creatures` climatic rampage in Chicago the standouts. The monsters, brought to the screen by Weta Digital, are well designed and have some fun abilities. Having already created a convincing giant gorilla for Peter Jackson`s KING KONG (2005), Weta once again delivers with RAMPAGE`s albino gorilla George who -- as well-portrayed by motion capture actor Jason Liles -- alternates between being a sympathetic and menacing character throughout the film. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment`s Blu-ray Combo Pack beautifully presents the theatrical cut of the film (107 minutes) in the original 2.39:1 aspect ratio at 1080p resolution. This disc includes English Dolby Atmos, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 5.1, French (Quebec) Dolby Digital 5.1, Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1 and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks with removable English SDH, French, Portuguese and Spanish subtitles. The Blu-ray also comes with over an hour of bonus features. Highlights include the featurette "Trio of Destruction" focusing on the design and creation of the film`s monsters, and two takes on an alternate ending for the film featuring Dwayne Johnson`s SAN ANDREAS and BAYWATCH co-star, Alexandra Daddario. The Combo Pack` DVD contains the movie and one of the extras from the Blu-ray, the `Not A Game Anymore` featurette. This set makes for a quality release of an entertaining B-movie that should please monster movie fans.