kal
Forum Administrator
Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
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| Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 8:10 pm Post subject: The Impossible [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
The Impossible [Blu-ray] (2012)
(Hover over link for price, click to purchase and support our forum at no extra cost to you)
| Quote: | 'The Impossible' salutes the power of the human spirit in the best sense of that overused phrase, treating its subject with respect, empathy, and uncompromising realism. Adeptly balancing a harrowing event with an inspirational tale of courage and survival, J.A. Bayona's film avoids clichés and syrupy sentiment as it paints a memorable portrait of indefatigable will and the tough ties that bind. Excellent performances from Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, and the young Tom Holland make this amazing true-life tale all the more believable, and the recreation of the tsunami is stunningly real. Excellent video and superb audio enhance the experience, but unfortunately, supplements are a bit skimpy. Though some viewers might crave more plot, this is a meticulous and touching depiction of one family's difficult journey, told with sensitivity and grace, and it earns a hearty recommendation.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
A nicely detailed, spic-'n'-span transfer brings this tale of disaster and survival to brilliant life. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 effort from Summit benefits from a faint grain structure that adds necessary grit and texture to the image, solid clarity, and fine contrast. A minor quibble concerns the presentation of some exterior scenes, which often appear a notch or two above the norm on the brightness scale. The choice may have been intentional, as it emphasizes the starkness of the situation and oppressive heat afflicting the characters, but it slightly washes out the image. No nicks, scratches, or other extraneous marks dot the pristine print, allowing almost complete immersion in the story.
Though there isn't much opportunity for lush saturation among the acres of debris and clinical hospital interiors that comprise the bulk of the film, the color palette is surprisingly vivid. A few scenes early in the movie, before disaster strikes, provide a hint of the beauty of the Thai coastline, with foliage greens and aqua blues flaunting a lovely warmth and presence, while the red hues of blood and the bouncing ball are appropriately bold. Fleshtones remain stable and true throughout, black levels achieve a good degree of depth, and the textures of tree trunks, tattered clothing, and caked dirt come across well.
The tsunami scene is frighteningly realistic, with stunning clarity thrusting us into the forceful tide. Close-ups are equally crisp, especially several tight shots that highlight facial details in a natural manner. Banding, crush, noise, and pixilation are all absent, and no digital enhancements disrupt the purity of the picture. All in all, this is an excellent rendering of a difficult film, and it makes the tragic events depicted feel uncomfortably immediate.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
With power, nuance, and marvelous clarity, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track makes us feel the tsunami as well as see it. From the formidable force of the cascading tide to the subjective gurgling as the principals are swept underwater and then struggle back to the surface, the audio raises the stakes of this highly effective scene, taking us out of our comfort zone and bringing us as close as a film can to experiencing this devastating phenomenon. The surrounds get a nice workout during the signature sequence, aided by strong stereo separation up front and a wide dynamic range that captures all the furor without any break-up or distortion. Crisp accents punctuate the water's roar, as chunks of debris are ripped apart by the wild current, while subtleties, such as the gentle chirps of birds and chatter of crickets waft across the rear channels during quieter scenes.
Excellent bass frequencies maximize every rumble, almost shaking the room as the tsunami crashes onto the shore. Yet despite all the activity, dialogue never gets lost; the mix prioritizes conversations well, so every word is clear and comprehendible. The music score by Fernando Velazquez blends well into the audio fabric, remaining largely unobtrusive, but when it occasionally bursts forth, its purity of tone and fine fidelity make a statement.
This dazzling track complements the visuals in top-flight fashion, building upon them to create a lifelike atmosphere that's simultaneously impressive and frightening. |
Kal
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