Teen Titans: The Judas Contract appears in an aspect ratio of approximately 1.78:1 on this Blu-ray Disc. This became a strong presentation.
Only a smidgen of softness appeared, and that was result of the inexpensive source animation. Overall accuracy varied from very good to excellent, with an emphasis on the latter. No issues with shimmering or jaggies materialized, and I saw no edge haloes or noise reduction. Of course, I found no print flaws here.
In terms of colors, Contract went with a mildly teal and orange feel. Those choices didn’t overwhelm, though, and the tones looked positive overall. Blacks were deep and dark, while shadows looked smooth and clear. This was a well-rendered image.
When I examined the DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack of Contract, it created a fine sense of action. The movie packed a lot of battles and involving material, and it used the five channels to impart that information in a lively manner. Explosions and fights filled the channels to create a full spectrum, and quieter elements fleshed out the room as well.
Across the board, the material sounded good. Speech remained distinctive and concise, without edginess, and music seemed vivid and full. Effects appeared accurate and tight, with clear highs and some powerful lows. All in all, the mix worked nicely.
As we move to extras, we find two featurettes. Tiitanic Minds: Reuniting Wolfman and Perez runs 27 minutes, 35 seconds and involves New Teen Titans creators Marv Wolfman and George Perez. They discuss their relationship and work together, with some emphasis on their original Judas Contract story. We learn a lot in this charming, engaging chat.
Villain Rising: Deathstroke goes for nine minutes and features Wolfman, Perez and DC Entertainment Animation Creative Director Mike Carlin. They give us notes about the creation and development of the Deathstroke character in this tight and informative piece.
The set also includes Sneak Peeks for three DC Universe animated films.
A take on Superman/Batman: Public Enemies fills seven minutes, 48 seconds and provides notes from DC Comics SVP Creative Affairs Gregory Noveck, executive producer Bruce Timm, script writer Stan Berkowitz, director Sam Liu, voice/casting director Andrea Romano, and actors Tim Daly, Kevin Conroy, Xander Berkeley, LeVar Burton, John C. McGinley and Clancy Brown. They tell us a little about the production and performances, but mostly they just talk about the story and how great it’ll be. This program remains nothing more than promotional material.
New to the set, a look at Batman and Harley Quinn lasts nine minutes, eight seconds and brings us comments from Carlin, Conroy, executive producer Bruce Tiimm, voice director Wes Gleason, co-writer Jim Krieg, and actors Melissa Rauch and Loren Lester. They give us notes about what to expect from the upcoming animated movie. It’s a promo piece but it sets the table well.
Finally, we find a sneak peek for Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox. It spans 10 minutes, 39 seconds and involves Romano, Krieg, DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, DC Entertainment co-publisher Dan DiDio, co-producer Alan Burnett, director Jay Oliva, producer James Tucker, and actors Justin Chambers, Kevin McKidd, Michael B. Jordan, Nathan Fillion, and Dana Delany. Like the Public Enemies piece, this one consists of little more than attempts to sell the program to the viewer.
The package also includes two episodes of the Teen Titans animated series. We get “Terra” (21:43) and “Titan Rising” (). Both from 2004, the shows both focus on the Terra character, though they connect to Judas Contract via the inclusion of Deathstroke as well.
Titans opts for an anime-imitative style, right down to the chirpy theme song. I’m not wild about that format and the shows seem sillier than I’d like. Still, they’re an interesting addition to the package.
The disc opens with ads for Wonder Woman (animated) and Wonder Woman (2017). Trailers adds promos for Justice League Dark, The Jetsons and WWE and Injustice 2.
A second disc provides a DVD copy of Contract. It includes the three “Sneak Peeks” and the trailers but lacks the other extras.
As a kid, I lacked a lot of interest in the Teen Titans, and The Judas Contract fails to alter that feeling. While the movie gives us enough action to offer mild entertainment, it never becomes anything memorable. The Blu-ray provides good picture and audio along with an average set of supplements. Maybe someday a Titans adventure will enthrall me, but Contract doesn’t do that trick.
Note that this version of Contract is a “limited edition” that includes a Blue Beetle action figure. The same Blu-ray DVD combo is also available on its own without the figure for $5 less.