kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
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| Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:03 pm Post subject: Wu Dang [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
Wu Dang [Blu-ray] (2012)
(Hover over link for price, click to purchase and support our forum at no extra cost to you)
| Quote: | 'Wu Dang' came as a complete surprise: a rollicking adventure film in the spirit of 'Indiana Jones', although not always produced with the same amount of skill. Still, Vincent Zhao and Yang Mi are a delightful pair who help sell a movie that otherwise might have come off as silly. They're aided by Corey Yuen's brilliant martial arts choreography, which is so good that any single fight could be a show-stopper in another film. The video and audio are among the best I've seen all year, with vivid image that is only briefly marred by poor CGI, and an astonishing audio mix that should be a gold standard for other sound mixers to aspire to. Unfortunately, the special features are a complete waste of time. However, the movie is good enough that it's worth checking out the Blu-ray. Highly recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Well Go USA presents 'Wu Dang' in a 2.35:1 AVC-encoded 1080p transfer. This is, without a doubt, one of the best transfers I've seen all year, even compared to other films shot with Red cameras. From the first shot 'Wu Dang' impresses with its sharpness and clarity. Detail is high in both full light and shadow. Yunlong frequently consults a painted treasure map, and you can see every brush line on the parchment. Contrast is spot on, whites are vivid without blooming, and blacks are strong and deep without crushing. Colors pop off the screen. The reds of Yang Mi's costumes are arresting, while Vincent Zhao's tan leather jacket is so textured you can practically feel it. Fleshtones look accurate, sometimes even betraying the makeup on the actors' faces.
A few of the CGI shots do mar the otherwise brilliant transfer, turning the image soft. Luckily, these shots are few and far between, but it is disappointing when they do show up. Aside from that, I detected no artifacts, macroblocking, ringing, or other transfer issues. 'Wu Dang' is pure eye candy on Blu-ray.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
'Wu Dang' continues to impress with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The mix is incredibly full, with a palpable sense of atmosphere even in dialogue scenes. Effects are subtly but effectively littered throughout the soundstage, creating some of the most impressive and fluid imaging I've heard on disc in a long time. The dynamic range is great, able to handle everything the movie throws at it. Directionality is fantastic, especially during fight scenes. You can feel every hit as it lands, and no matter how fast the actors move, the mix makes sure to keep the action moving along with them. The rears get a real workout throughout, practically never staying silent for the entire runtime of the film. Balance is never an issue, with dialogue easily sharing space with the music and effects, the three elements intertwining to create a mix that is an absolute joy to listen to. Also included is a Dolby Digital 2.0 mix that doesn't come close to approximating how great the DTS mix is. |
Kal
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