kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
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Location: Ottawa, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:18 pm Post subject: Life of Pi [Blu-ray 3D] |
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Another reference disc!
Life of Pi [Blu-ray 3D] (2012)
(Hover over link for price, click to purchase and support our forum at no extra cost to you)
| Quote: | Anyone who questions whether Ang Lee deserved the Best Director Oscar for 'Life of Pi' hasn't seen this visually dazzling and technically complex production. The inspiring story of unshakeable faith, indomitable will, and ultimate survival touches the heart, but can't come close to eclipsing the manner in which it is told. With a keen eye and awe-inspiring wizardry, Lee constructs a beautiful and thrilling work of cinematic art that embraces the 3D format without being consumed by it. Splendid imagery is the true star of this hypnotic motion picture, and Fox honors this multiple Oscar winner with a terrific, in-your-face 3D video transfer, immersive audio, and a solid collection of both 3D and 2D supplements. If you own a 3D TV and Blu-ray player, you need 'Life of Pi' in your collection. For once, style does trump substance, and Lee's lyrical film is a sight to behold. Highly recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The 3D version of 'Life of Pi' is a testament to film artistry and the appropriate use of a controversial format. As Martin Scorsese proved with 'Hugo,' in the hands of an accomplished director, 3D can add magic and a breathtaking sense of in-your-face realism to movies that enhance both their sensory and emotional impact. Ang Lee is one of the industry's most visually inventive and elegant craftsmen, and he intuitively uses 3D as a storytelling mechanism, not a flashy gimmick. Like Scorsese, Lee knows when to push the format to its limits and how to almost imperceptibly employ it so it lends the image a subtle sense of depth. He also uses 3D subjectively, injecting it into the frame when Pi taunts the tiger with a pole, giving the viewer an entirely new and different, yet just as thrilling, perspective. From a 3D standpoint, 'Life of Pi' is a tour de force and a ringing endorsement of the format as an essential cog in the 21st century's cinematic wheel.
20th Century Fox honors Lee's vision and Claudio Miranda's Oscar-winning cinematography with a stunning 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 3D transfer that floods the screen with sumptuous color and presents an often dazzling 3D image. Contrast and clarity are letter-perfect, and the spotless source material and crisp picture quality allow us to drink in every detail, from the well-defined crests of individual waves and the spiky protrusions of the tiger's whiskers to the textures of delicate flowers and the grit of individual grains of sand. CGI work permeates almost every shot (the film also took home an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects), yet it's seamlessly integrated into the whole, resulting in a well-balanced, smoothly constructed image.
The transfer does possess a decidedly digital look. Some long shots appear a tad artificial and a bit of fuzziness occasionally obscures detail in the frame's farther recesses. A jagged edge here and there is noticeable, too, but such is often the case in 3D renderings. A couple of scenes seem a little overexposed, but no banding or noise and no enhancements disrupt the picture's purity, and the 3D effects are as distinct as any I have seen on disc. A lizard's tongue, fluttering hummingbirds, outstretched hands, air bubbles in the water, driving rain pellets, an airborne whale, and, of course, a makeshift spear and attacking tiger all burst forth, breaking the screen's dimensional barrier with astonishing clarity. Rising water also spills over the screen's edge, a few shots through cage bars are highly effective, and the use of tree branches in the corner foreground add interest and increase depth of field. The fly fish sequence is another fantastic 3D creation, with fish flinging themselves every which-way. Even the dissolves exude a lovely 3D feel.
2D elements are also superb. The reds, oranges, and purples of flowers and Indian saris enjoy a high degree of saturation, while the verdant greens of landscapes and foliage exhibit a luxurious lushness. Strong black levels help exquisitely lit night shots flaunt a magical glow, and bold whites make a statement but resist blooming. Fleshtones remain stable and look natural throughout, and razor sharp close-ups show off facial details well. Underwater shots never appear murky, and reflections are gorgeously reproduced.
Only the aforementioned quibbles keep this superior effort from earning a perfect score, but despite the errant blips, 'Life of Pi' delivers glorious visuals to the home viewing environment. Along with 'Hugo,' it ranks as one of the best 3D transfers to come down the pike.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
An active, impeccably modulated DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track immerses us in Pi's world and the vast seascape that engulfs him. From the delicate notes of the mystical, Oscar-winning score to the cacophonous shipwreck and storm sequences, the sound remains clear, clean, and distinct, balancing power and nuance with impeccable grace. A wide dynamic scale handles the highs and lows with ease, keeping distortion at bay even during intense sonic passages, and a broad sound field makes fine use of all the channels, enveloping us in music and effects, yet also providing crisp directional pulses when necessary.
Atmospherics are nicely integrated into the track, subtly caressing the rear speakers, but the sonic showstoppers occur during the action scenes. The howling wind, bellowing waves, and pelting rain swirl around and roll over us with substantial force, as the speakers fire on all cylinders, yet individual elements are properly prioritized and never compromised, ebbing and flowing like the tide itself. Bass frequencies are especially full-bodied and weighty, capturing the tiger's roar and all the turbulence of the rough seas. Accents, such as the tiger's claws scraping against canvas, are marvelously distinct, and the lyrical music score gently wafts over the room, exhibiting excellent fidelity and wonderful tonal depth.
Dialogue can be problematic at times. During the raging storm sequences, exchanges can be drowned out by the weather effects, and thick accents make various words and phrases difficult to comprehend. However, that's a minor hiccup in an otherwise flawless presentation. 'Life of Pi' is a celebration of the senses, and the audio helps make the film a thrillingly realistic and immersive experience.. |
Kal
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