The HD presentations are exceptionally well done. The jump to Blu-ray allows for a great level of detail and notically more well-sustained color. The films still retain their dated level of grain, but there's enough polish here to make a film nearly 40 years old seem much more current. Very little artifcating or overly noticeable digitization, combined with the sharp colors and excellent contrast, make for a great-looking set of transfers sure to make any true
Apes fan proud.
The 5.1 DTS tracks are also a tremendously effective inclusion, having cleaned up the source material and added a few surround-sound flourishes. The soundtrack pulses, the synthesizers blare, gunshots ring out with high clarity and the occasional explosion carries a room-shaking amount of bass. Overall, these are all extremely worthwhile mixes which become more and more complex as the series becomes more and more intense.
Finally, the packaging is first rate. Presented in a multi-panel fold-out booklet, the series also comes with a massive, full-color book of photography following the production of each film and a handy, comprehensive timeline of the
Apes universe.
Overall, the
Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution is by all measures the definitive franchise set, moreso than any that has come before, but its ultimate appeal to consumers is relative to their individual interest in (or worship of) the collected works. Beyond even the packaging, which earns a deserved place among DVD's best-ever designs – and certainly because of the full-color, 200-page
Apes history book -- the high-def transfers of this classic sci-fi series makes for a must-own, all-time, unbeatable package. It might lack the 2001 remake or episodes of the TV show which were included in the past Ultimate
Apes collection, but all of the added bonus material, and the absolute focus on the core films in the franchise give this set a clear advantage.
