kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
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| Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:29 pm Post subject: 5 Days of War [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
5 Days of War [Blu-ray] (2011)
(Click on picture to order from Amazon and support our forum, hover over for price)
| Quote: | '5 Days of War' is a decent action film that can't quite find the right balance between historical accuracy and dramatic conventions. Despite its low budget, the numerous set pieces are solid but several formulaic characters and plot developments hold back a potentially effective retelling of a recent real-world conflict. Video and audio quality are great, providing near demo worthy material. Supplements are slim but the commentary and deleted scenes are solid inclusions. Though a fairly mediocre effort, this disc is still worth a look.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The film is provided with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Shot digitally in high definition this is a very impressive transfer that features strong clarity and dimension.
The source is pristine with some negligible digital noise here and there. Fine detail is often exceptional with a very sharp image that reveals even the tiniest and most intricate bits of visual information. From the bruised and battered faces of the main characters to the ruble and debris filled streets of Georgia, the video offers a sometimes stunning level of clarity. A shot featuring a fiery stream at night is particularly impressive and many more peaceful images of quiet countryside villages are also strong with vivid colors that offer pleasing vibrancy while still retaining a gritty tone. Black levels are mostly consistent and provide a frequently inky quality. Contrast is high and while whites veer toward a deliberately overexposed look, the intensity suits the content well. A few quick shots here and there (usually in the midst of intense action) feature a more overtly "cheap" digital look with overly smooth motion, but thankfully this is rare and doesn't detract much from the presentation.
'5 Days of War' isn't quite worthy of a five star video rating but it's actually pretty close. Free of any major technical anomalies and featuring sometimes striking levels of fine detail, rich colors and solid depth, the image is very impressive.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
The movie is presented with an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. Subtitle options include English SDH and Spanish. Bustling with action, this is a powerful and immersive mix.
Dialogue is clean and full and remains audible amidst all the chaos with no crackles or hisses. Directionality across the entire soundscape is great, perfectly emulating a war-zone environment. Bullets whiz by from all directions with piercing fidelity and separation. Even quieter sequences feature appropriate ambient effects with gentle chatter and echoes of activity hitting the rears. Ominous jets flying overhead and many huge explosions provide room shaking rumble, all adding to an enveloping auditory experience that places the listener right in the thick of battle. Dynamic range is excellent, showcasing a wide gamut of frequencies from soft, gentle sounds to more aggressive, loud effects with no distortion. Thankfully, all of the mixing is well balanced with explosions, speech and score never overpowering each other.
The mix does a great job of bolstering the exciting action with an occasionally all encompassing soundscape. Much like the video transfer, this is a strong track that's pretty close to being demo material. |
Kal
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