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 9:09 pm Post subject: Up - 3D [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
Up (Five-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D/ Blu-ray/ DVD + Digital Copy) (2009)
(Hover over link for price, click to purchase and support our forum at no extra cost to you)
| Quote: | 'Up' remains one of my favorite Pixar films. In fact, it just might be #1. The first 15 minutes suck you in and punch you in the heart before sending you off on a whimsical tale of adventure and friendship. This package is virtually identical to its 2009 counterpart, save for a few different trailers on the 2D Blu-ray and, of course, the Blu-ray 3D. 3D Video and Audio are high definition perfection, while the special features are still quite good. The question really is, is this double dip worthy? If you enjoy 3D at home, then by all means consider this a Must Own release. If you don't like 3D, then there's really no point. If you haven't yet seen, or purchased, 'Up' in high definition, then this movie and Blu-ray combo pack comes Highly Recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Pixar films are demonstration gold in every format they tackle. First with DVD, then Blu-ray, and now, to no one's surprise, Blu-ray 3D. These computer generated movies -- with their lavish colors, detailed textures, and vivid animation -- probably sell more HD displays than any other demo material (well, maybe live sports help... a little). 'Up' debuted theatrically in 2D and 3D, but we've had to wait three years for the Blu-ray 3D. The original 2009 2D 'Up' Blu earned a full 5 star video score, and there's no question this MVC MPEG-4 encoded 3D disc matches, and in some ways even exceeds, that presentation.
Bold claim, no? Well, it's true. I've always enjoyed 'Up' on Blu-ray, and watch the film several times per year. It's colorful and crisp and shines on any display, but the movie has always felt a little flat when compared to my memory of seeing the film theatrically. In Blu-ray 3D, other than a few newsreel shots, the dimensionality is astounding. Despite the fact I know it's a cartoon, the film feels, somehow, more real. I can see into this beautifully rendered universe. In terms of the "3D effect", most of world expands behind the screen, but there are also a few great shots of faces and objects jutting out towards the audience. Cross-talk, for those with certain display technologies, was minimal.
I would also argue this 3D home experience is even better than my theatrical one. I first saw the film in 2D, but loved it so much, my wife and I went back to see it in 3D. Directly comparing them at the time, I recall not being too impressed with the 3D, which felt darker, muddier, than the 2D. It must have been a projector settings issue, because brightness levels match the 2D Blu perfectly. Colors pop and shadow details remain (there are a number of night sequences). In fact, it's just like watching the 2D version, but with a more immersive feel. In fact, pop back to the 2D version after watching the 3D and, while the film's still gorgeous, I personally missed the third dimension.
Anytime a Pixar movie arrives on home video, enthusiasts have especially high expectations. I'm happy to say 'Up - 3D' features another flawless, demo-worthy video presentation (in two OR three dimensions) and it alone makes this release a Must Own for 3D fans. Seriously, some of the best 3D I've seen, but then again, I'm about to review 'Finding Nemo', so who knows.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
'UP' debuts on Blu-ray 3D with the same, impressive 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio ES mix as its 2009 two dimensional counterpart. What Drew said back then holds true today in both 2D and 3D:
Just as impressive is the Master Audio 5.1 DTS-HD audio track here. I mean it. Like everything else about this disc, it's just stunning. Atmosphere and ambience are always present, with the surround sound getting a vigorous workout, not just in the more action packed sequences, but in the way that the house breathes and groans once its lifted in the air, or the individualized balloons bumping into one another and letting out that brief squeak. I mean, it's just amazing. The amount of nuance is incredible.
On the special features on the disc, they talk about how the mix for this was pared down. They wanted to focus on the story, characters, and theme to the point where a lot of the extraneous noise, that you could have put in at all points, would have taken away from the emotional experience. So you don't hear the balloons at every point in the journey, but when you need to, they're there.
Simple things like a window shattering just sound amazing, and not overwhelming, either. Dialogue is perfect, and everything is well prioritized in the mix. The action sequences are absolutely phenomenal and dwarf the biggest Hollywood action spectacle. Michael Giacchino's score, which has already been praised in this review, sounds even better. It's just the score of the year, hands down, and in this mix sounds lovelier than ever.
Other audio options included are a French Dolby Digital 5.1 track, a Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 track, an English DTS-HD 2.0 track (a nice option, if I do say so myself), and English Descriptive Video Service 2.0. There are also subtitles in English, French, and Spanish. |
Kal
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