kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
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| Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:05 pm Post subject: The Three Musketeers (2011) - 3D [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
The Three Musketeers (Blu-Ray/Blu-ray 3D Combo)
(Hover over link for price, click to purchase and support our forum at no extra cost to you)
| Quote: | As Steven Cohen so succinctly puts it: "Paul W.S. Anderson's 'The Three Musketeers' is a mindless, simplistic, and utterly disposable take on the classic novel." There's no better way to essentially describe this sometimes-yawn-inducing modernized vision of Alexandre Dumas's adventures tales — lots of pretty visuals, but nothing going on beneath the surface. The 3D Blu-ray, on the other hand, is utterly spectacular and one of the best live-action 3D presentations around, accompanied by an amazing, demo-worthy lossless audio that will make walls shake. Supplements are decent but informative, making the overall package worth the purchase only if hungering for some awesome 3D material.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'The Three Musketeers' swing their way unto Blu-ray with an exceptional 1080p/MVC encode that thrills and amazes as they save France from the brink of war. Filmed with a combination of HD digital cameras and the PACE Fusion 3D cameras Anderson used on 'Resident Evil: Afterlife,' the presentation is simply phenomenal, with a marvelous sense of depth from beginning to end.
The long hallways and corridors of King Louis's mansion reach deep into the screen while characters walk about them as if existing within a three-dimensional space. Background objects genuinely seem to move far in the distance, separate from everything else at the foreground, and random debris during the explosive finale fly toward the viewer with an appreciable sense of realism. The picture doesn't offer much in terms of the usual gimmicks where items stick out from the screen. The focus, here, is on dimensionality, one which feels natural to on-screen events. The first time we see Buckingham's airship arrive at the front lawn of the King's palace, the figurehead and bow bulge forward, creating a feel of immensity and reach. Other scenes, like exterior shots around the King's estate and garden or when the Musketeers are walking about the airship, come with a wonderful pop-up-book effect in which actors appear to move independently of the background.
During all this, the 2.35:1-framed transfer displays razor-sharp details and crystal-clear clarity. The baroque architecture of the palace shows cleanly-defined lines along the ornately-decorated walls, and the tiniest features of the chandeliers remain plainly through the dark glasses. Hair and facial complexions have a terrific lifelike texture, and garishly extravagant outfits of characters are very distinct, revealing every thread and wrinkle on the various fabrics. Contrast is spot-on with crisp whites throughout, allowing for a great deal of visibility in the distance. Black levels are inky rich and true with excellent shadow delineation of poorly-lit interiors. Primaries are vividly-saturated to give the photography a lively and animated appeal while bold secondary hues add a great deal of warmth. Overall, the 'Musketeers' arrive with a reference-level 3D presentation.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
Not to be left behind, the audio also delivers the goods with an equally impressive and demo-worthy DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. The design features a precise, plainly audible dialogue reproduction, which really makes noticeable the total lack of a British accent on the parts of Jovovich and Lerman. Voices move across the front soundstage fluidly, along with the minor, off-screen effects which open the imaging and generate a wide, spacious feel. Dynamic range is terrifically extensive and room-penetrating, providing distinct clarity to every piece of timber and debris that flies across the room. Paul Haslinger's score, which sounds suspiciously much like Hans Zimmer's music for 'The Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise, enjoys the lucidity and timbre of such a pitch-perfect mid-range.
The real showstopper in this lossless mix, however, is in the rear activity and the powerfully deep low-frequency effects. Extending the soundfield and generating a wonderfully satisfying sense of envelopment, atmospherics often fill the back speakers with the subtle sounds of birds, wind blowing and the cheers of the crowd. When on the airships, various rattles and squeaks can be heard all around. During scenes of battle, particularly the main fight at the end, pans and directionality are flawless, spreading random objects across the room convincingly and creating a highly-entertaining soundscape. Best of all, a shockingly vigorous and wall-rattling low-end adds a forceful punch to explosions and canon fire, making it a magnificent high-rez track sure to please everyone. |
Kal
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