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kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:16 pm Post subject: Hugo 3D [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
Hugo (Three-disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy) (2011)
(Hover over link for price, click to purchase and support our forum at no extra cost to you)
| Quote: | 'War of the Arrows' is a refreshingly original and creative take on the epic movies. It takes the genre back to its low budget, low CG roots. Instead of banking on huge sequence with hundreds of background actors and CG hoards for your entertainment, it establishes a story and characters worth caring for. With very few special effects, the action is still able to get your heart pumping enough to make you sit on the edge of your seat. The extremely sharp and crisp definition of the video is only lacking because of compression issues – banding and aliasing, to be specific. The audio, however, isn't lacking at all. The five-star demo-worthy lossless track is just as impressive in the down-time than it is during the intense battle sequences. Despite a void of worthy special features, 'War of the Arrows' is still a recommended Blu-ray.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
Breathtaking is perhaps the best way to describe this reference quality transfer from Paramount. 'Hugo' won Oscars for its cinematography, art direction, and visual effects, and this often jaw-droppingly beautiful 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 effort showcases all those elements to perfection, while transforming the 3D presentation from gimmick to art form in the blink of an eye. The opening shot of the Paris skyline glistens like a newly minted penny, and sets the tone for the entire film. The pristine source material is practically devoid of grain, yet the image never loses its warmth and lushness, even during scenes that heavily rely on CGI effects. Clarity and contrast are exceptional (be sure and catch the reflection of the clock in Kingsley's eye), and colors pop, thanks to marvelously modulated saturation. The bright blue of the station inspector's uniform, the flowers in Lisette's cart, the tinting on Melies' films...all these possess an intoxicating vibrancy and lushness.
Black levels are deep and inky, shadow detail is very good, and fleshtones remain stable and true throughout. The textures of fabrics are easily discernible, as are background details, and though a faint bit of shimmer afflicts a couple of patterns, the intricate designs on many costumes stay rock solid. Razor sharp close-ups accent the distinguishable facial features of the varied cast, including the automaton, which looks almost human.
The inspired use of 3D, however, sends this movie into the stratosphere. Seamlessly integrated into the film and astonishingly well defined, the 3D imagery takes us inside Hugo's world and into the captivating realm of cinema like no other picture I've seen before. And the effects are even more stunning in the home environment than in a theater. The sense of depth and openness the 3D provides is truly amazing, as Hugo peers through bars, windows, and the through the hands of the clock. Various perspectives are heightened and spatial boundaries blurred, so we feel a part of the action. Details like snow, ash, steam, mist, and fireworks gently dance before us; a swinging pendulum cuts through the screen; the glistening snout of a growling Doberman Pinscher protrudes forward; sheets of paper float before our eyes; and, in my favorite dimensional shot, the Station Inspector slowly leans forward, lunging further and further and further and still further into the room, making his intimidating presence not just known, but felt, and making us recoil just a tad in response. Scorsese also adds a hint of 3D to Melies' 'A Trip to the Moon' to make it even more magical. For someone who has never before waded into 3D waters, Scorsese possesses a surprising mastery of the concept, knowing when to push limits and when to pull back. As much as the form dazzles and thrills me, I still find it hard not to regard 3D as some sort of trick or gimmick, but 'Hugo' comes closer than any other film I've seen to using 3D as an artistic tool rather than a commercial draw. And who better than Scorsese to legitimize it and show off its true capabilities.
Aside from the aforementioned brief shimmers, no imperfections mar this exceptional transfer. No noise, banding, pixelation, or edge enhancement rear their ugly heads. Not everyone may be enthralled by the story of Hugo Cabret, but it's impossible not to be blown away by this impeccable 3D treatment that's truly a visual feast.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Along with the reference quality video transfer comes a reference quality DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track that's stunning in its clarity, precision, and level of detail. 'Hugo' possesses a rich audio fabric, juggling big moments and delicate nuances, yet all the sound is distinct, perfectly balanced, and awash in superior fidelity and fine tonal depth. From the opening frames, featuring the rhythmic interlocking of mechanical gears exquisitely apportioned among all the room's speakers, it's evident we're in for an aural treat, and the track never backs down over the course of the film. Superior dynamic range handles screeching highs and low rumbles with ease, and nary a hint of distortion creeps into the mix.
The surrounds are almost constantly engaged, as bits of detail gently flow from speaker to speaker. The hustle and bustle of the busy train station is espcially well rendered, with footsteps, the rustling of clothing, steam, whistles, and rail sounds at once distinct and yet unified. The gears and clicks of the automaton are crisp and lively, the swoosh of flying papers floats about the room, and when the train crashes through the station the cacophony of destruction crashes through the speakers. Stereo separation across the front channels is also excellent, and bass frequencies are potent and perfectly integrated into the track's whole.
Howard Shore's gorgeous, Oscar-nominated score boasts exceptional presence and fidelity, caressing small moments and accenting big ones, yet never overwhelming the on-screen action. Dialogue is always well prioritized and easy to understand, and no surface noise or hiss intrude or distract. 'Hugo' won Academy Awards for sound editing and sound mixing, and this superbly clear, active, and immersive track makes it easy to understand why. |
Kal
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mc86
Joined: 20 Sep 2008
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Location: pittsburgh, pa
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| Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:18 am Post subject: |
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scratch my post -- somehow I missed the thread where this discussed when I did my first search on hugo, but just dound on 3D...
https://www.curtpalme.com/forum_archived/viewtopic.php@t=30423.html
original post...
Just saw this movie at home - 2D, via upscaled dvd, and thought it was stunning visually. Anyone watched it in 3D? After seeing some 3D briefly at wallace's, I wondered if/when REAL films (and not CG cartoons) would use 3D as part of storytelling...does Hugo do this as much as reviews and the special feature talking about there intent to use 3D well actually succeed?
Matt
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CIR Engineering
Joined: 25 Aug 2008
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Location: Chicago USA & Berlin Germany
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| Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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For me, the 3D really helped make the movie. I am not sure I would have like Hugo in 2D.
craigr
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