Writers:
Mark Hoffmeir
Based
On “Heavy Gear” By: Pierre Duellette and Dream Pod 9
Directors:
Alan Caldwell, Sean Song, Michael Chang, Tim Flored, and Jay Olivia
Executive
Producers: Chris Lee and Richard Raynis
Feature
length: 98 minutes
Extras:
Filmmaker and Technical Commentary, Conceptual Art Gallery, and Trailers
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1 and Spanish Language Dolby Surround 2.0
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions and Spanish and French Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Amaray Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 28
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Surround Sound 2.0
Year
of DVD Release: 2002
Home
Video Distributor: Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: PG-13
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
More
of the continuing adventures of Gear Pilot Marcus Rover on the planet Terra Nova
in the far future. In this string of adventures Marcus and the Shadow Dragons
must overpower the Vanguard to stop a speeding runaway train. This adds to the
plight of Marcus’ journey toward winning the coveted Championship Trophy in
the face of terrifying techno-odds.
This
particular volume may not be suitable for younger viewers under the age of ten
because of the realistic CGI action violence and perils that they might take
literally. A digital transfer, “Heavy Gear: Battle For The Badlands” looks
excellent on DVD with a widescreen (1.78:1) aspect ratio and a full English
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack. A Spanish Language Dolby Surround
Soundtrack and English Captions and Closed Captions for the hearing impaired and
French and Spanish Language Subtitles are encoded on to the DVD as options. Like
the “Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles” series there are two
excellent commentary tracks with the animators, writers, and producers
discussing various on screen elements with the series as well as the show’s
development.
A
conceptual gallery and trailers wrap up the extra features on this DVD. “Heavy
Gear” is one of the best looking CGI Sci-Fi programs on DVD and for that alone
I think it is worth a look. “Heavy Gear: Battle For The Badlands” will debut
day and date on DVD-Video with the first volume “Heavy Gear: The Dragon’s
Shadow” on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.