The Film
In a time long, long ago, there was a hero of epic proportions whose exploits have inspired generations. And we're not talking about the hero of Jason and the Argonauts but rather associate producer and special effects guru Ray Harryhausen. The tale has something to do with Jason traveling to the very ends of the Earth for a sweater (or is that the golden fleece) to somehow reclaim his throne - and the film ends without much resolution actually - but that's not the point. The b-movie story that is based loosely on Greek mythology is forgettable enough, and frankly, this would be just another sand and sandal hack and slash movie from the post biblical epic era of Hollywood, were it not for the genius of Harryhausen. Instead, the film is memorable for the stop motion effects; including battles with larger than life monsters and of course the skeleton warriors.
The Picture
There is no denying that this one looks dated. Besides the flat acting, the film has some rather cardboard sets to boot. The 1.66:1 1080p transfer is also a mixed bag unfortunately. The scenes with actors alone look sharp and clear, and the water is true blue and inviting. Flesh tones are as accurate as you can expect for a nearly 50 year old film, and the colors just as vibrant. But you don't watch this one for the melodrama and scenery; you watch for the effects and this is where things break down.
There is considerable grain and noise in the effects sequences, notably when the skeletons rise up from the ground (which begs the question how they got there, but that's another issue entirely). Unfortunately most of the stop motion sequences have this problem, and the issues are actually made worse by the clarity of Blu-ray, notably as this contrasts so much with the other scenes. Even if you can go to the end of the world it seems, sometimes you can't go home again.
The Sound
The sound in Jason and the Argonauts is less of an issue, and the Blu-ray offers both the original mono soundtrack as well as a quite full and impressive 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. The former does sound a tad flat, but it fits with the acting and sets. The latter is rich and full, with discrete separation of music and effects to the sides and rear. This can be a little bombastic at times, but it really enhances the action, giving the film a more immersive, and more modern feel.
The Extras
This film clearly has made an impact on many people, and it shows with the two commentary tracks, which include those with director (but obviously not director of this film) Peter Jackson and visual effects artist Randall William Cook, as well as a separate commentary with film historian Tony Dalton and the original F/X master himself, Ray Harryhausen. There are also some nifty bonus featurettes including one on the original skeleton fight storyboards, interviews with Ray Harryhausen by John Landis, a mini-documentary on the Ray Harryhausen Chronicles and another on the Harryhausen Legacy.
Final Thoughts
Despite some grain in the video, and a high def transfer that perhaps reveals a little too much of the original master, as well as a story that doesn't really have much story, Jason and the Argonauts still maintains its "status as a classic and ground-breaking film. And whether you like today's effects-laden, CGI-intense films (or not), this one is worth viewing, if only to see how they used to make them.
Product Details
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