kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
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| Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 7:25 pm Post subject: Brave [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
Brave (Three-Disc Collector's Edition: Blu-ray / DVD) (2012)
(Hover over link for price, click to purchase and support our forum at no extra cost to you)
| Quote: | 'Brave' is a decent Pixar film that falls solidly in the middle of the pack. However, the real treat here is how gorgeous it looks. This may be one of, if not the, best transfers that you'll see all year. The film is strikingly beautiful in high-def and is certainly highly recommended for anyone looking for demo material in order to show off their high-def setup.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
It shouldn't be a surprise that a movie that earned top marks in the 3D department also receives the highest of scores when it comes to its 2D presentation. Say what you will about the movie, but the fact remains that 'Brave' is simply one of the most splendidly animated movies Pixar has ever produced. Its lush, natural worlds are presented in crystal clear clarity, with effervescent colors and painstaking detail.
The color used here is absolutely impressive. Merida's red hair practically pops off the screen any time she's in frame. Her fiery orange-red hair is one of the many highlights of this presentation. The detail in her hair is extraordinary. I remember the first time I saw 'Monsters Inc.' I was astounded at the look and movement of Sully's hundreds of thousands of individual hairs. I didn't think Pixar would be able to top what they did there, but they have here. Merida's hair takes on a life of its own. It moves, bounces and blows in the wind like natural hair. Each strand of her hair is distinctly visible during the movie's crystalline playback. It's beautiful to watch.
Continuing on with the attention to detail paid in 'Brave,' the surroundings of green Scottish hills are vibrantly presented. The green in this movie is the only thing that rivals Merida's ginger locks. The grass and trees are so expertly rendered that it's a little hard to think of them as computer animated. Each solitary blade of grass is distinctly defined and never lost in the movie's fast-moving action.
Textures like the rock walls of the castle or the fur on the movie's bears are equally remarkable. There is so much detail in this movie that you'll have to watch it half a dozen times before you notice every little thing. And believe me you'll be able to notice those details because of the clarity and definition on display here.
Blacks are deep and inky. I first saw the movie in 3D in the theaters and thought the glasses really hampered the darker parts of the movie. Making the entire scene a little too dark. However, this time around seeing it in 2D gave me a newfound respect for the shadow detailing and the intricate minutiae of some of those darkly lit scenes.
If you're looking for a demo-worthy presentation to get this holiday season, then 'Brave' is a surefire bet. It looks absolutely superb in high definition.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Two lossless options - Dolby TrueHD 7.1 and 5.1 - are available, and both provide immersive, nuanced audio that beautifully complements the stunning image quality. Superior dynamic range handles all the action well, with bright, full-bodied highs and guttural lows bringing the various set pieces to glorious life. Surround activity is almost constant, ebbing and flowing with the story, smoothly bleeding from the front to the rears, and never feeling forced. From subtle atmospherics, such as birds chirping and rustling leaves, to powerful accents like slamming doors, clanking swords, and arrows hitting their targets, the sound dances across all five speakers with both ease and distinction.
Bass frequencies are also strong, lending some oomph to stomping feet and the powerful roars of Mor'du, yet the LFE track seamlessly blends into the whole. Patrick Doyle's music score, by turns rousing and introspective, also gets a nice treatment here, benefiting from solid fidelity and fine tonal depth. The delicate reeds emit a wonderful purity, while the pulsating percussion ramps up excitement but never overpowers the other instruments. Dialogue is well prioritized throughout, and though the authentic Scottish accents can, at times, be a bit difficult to understand, all conversations are clear.
No imperfections mar this high-quality track. Despite a smorgasbord of sonic elements competing for attention, distortion is never an issue, and no break-ups or drop-outs, hiss or surface noise ever crop up. Once again, Pixar comes through with a terrific mix that adds body and texture to an involving story. |
Kal
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