kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
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Location: Ottawa, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 1:30 am Post subject: Transformers: Dark of the Moon |
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Another reference disc!
Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) (2011)
(Click on picture to order, hover over for price)
| Quote: | 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' is silly, bloated at times, convoluted, and it doesn't always make sense, but it can also be loads of fun for the teenage boy inside us all. It also happens to be the best 'Transformers' film, but perhaps I'm growing more forgiving as the series progresses. This movie-only edition of the film features delicious, near perfect visuals and a reference (soon to be THE demo disc) 7.1 True HD soundtrack. If you've already decided that you hate the 'Transformers' series, then stay far (far) away. If you enjoy this franchise, then your decision to purchase this Blu-ray comes down to whether or not you care about 3D or need to watch special features.
If 2D is good enough for you, this is a winner of a Blu-ray, and will no doubt be cheaper. If you love 3D (from what I saw theatrically, 'Dark of the Moon' features the best "live action" 3D since 'Avatar') and/or enjoy the extensive special features commonly found on 'Transformers' Blu-rays, wait for the 3D Combo. I hate to say it, but when a studio openly announces their plan to release two separate versions of a film, that's not actually double-dipping. It's informing customers of his or her choices, both of which have pros and cons. In this case, having it now vs having the fancier, more complete edition.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' arrives on Blu-ray with a stunning 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode framed in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1. It should be noted that, unlike the previous film in the franchise, this one was not filmed with any IMAX cameras, so there are no variations in aspect ratios. It was shot using a combination of 35mm film and HD 3D cameras. Here, of course, we are getting one "eye" of the 3D presentation. Some other film stocks were used (or approximated) for the opening sequences set in the 1960s.
As one would expect from a modern Hollywood blockbuster, this new 'Transformers' film boasts an incredible amount of fine detail and resolution. Even though it's the 2D presentation, it feels almost like it's 3D. Colors are rich and saturated, while whites remain balanced. There are varying levels of grain depending on the shooting format, but overall the Blu-ray provides a nice film-like experience. There's no hint of edge enhancement of DNR. Dark scenes are inky, yet detailed despite a occasional crush.
While there's a lot to like about this HD video presentation, it's not perfect. There's a touch of banding (as seen as the ship launches from Cybertron) in some all-digital scenes, but it's not that bad. Also, during the climax, the giant-snake Decepticon (Driller?) is ripping through a building and there are so many moving parts they turn into a blur; however, it's not clear if this is intended motion blur, or a compression issue. The real flaw preventing this disc from being a reference level video presentation is skin tones. There's a joke in the film about John Malkovich's character having orange-tanned skin (even more so than John Boehner), but the problem is everyone's skin is warm and tinted slightly-to-moderate orange. It's unsettling given how accurate the highlights and shadows appear.
Overall, despite a couple flaws, this is an HD stunner.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
This 7.1 Dolby TrueHD soundtrack is perfect. One of the best and most accurate 7.1 presentations I've ever heard and sure to be a go-to demo disc.
From the very first second with the Paramount logo as its stars swirl through all surround channels, you know you're in for a treat. Most impressive is how subtle it can be at times. Dialog is always audible and clear, and there's a lot of fine detail work on display. Doors shutting or bullets pinging in various speakers. Atmospheric stuff. And no matter how loud and chaotic the visuals on screen appear, the audio is a precise symphony of effects and music. Screaming highs and guttural lows show off the track's impressive dynamic range. The panning is engaging -- front to back, side to side, all around -- a truly immersive experience. We've gotten to meet the film's Supervising Sound Editor, Erick Aadahl. He's being doing 7.1 for a while now, and 'Dark of the Moon' may be his (and his team's) best work yet.
I'm amazed a film like this doesn't just devolve into noise, but this is truly awesome. |
Kal
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