kal
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Joined: 06 Mar 2006
Posts: 18114
Location: Ottawa, Canada
TV/Projector: JVC DLA-NZ7
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| Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2013 5:21 pm Post subject: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [Blu-ray] |
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Another reference disc!
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Blu-ray/DVD + UltraViolet Digital Copy Combo Pack) (2012)
(Hover over link for price, click to purchase and support our forum at no extra cost to you)
| Quote: | Although failing to reach the heights of the original 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth is nevertheless a mildly enjoyable fantasy adventure. Minor, negligible quips with the filmmakers bloating a single book into three films aside, 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' makes for a decent start to a larger trilogy that will hopefully provide a more satisfying piece of entertainment. The Blu-ray arrives with spectacular, demo-worthy video and a reference-quality audio presentation. Supplements could be stronger and more extensive, but there's plenty for fans to enjoy nonetheless, making the overall package recommended for the most enthusiastic of fans.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
When it was first learned last summer that the filmmakers were shooting 'The Hobbit' at a high frame rate of 48fps, it was quite the controversy and caused a stir amongst those who felt the faster speed ruins the "cinematic look" (24fps) we've been accustomed to. Personally, it seems like a wasted effort since only a few theaters are equipped to project the film as it was intended, and the technology is not yet available for home theater, unless you consider the motion interpolation feature of HDTVs as delivering a similar effect. Honestly, I was more concerned to how this new frame rate would translate to Blu-ray since it has to be converted to the traditional 24fps (or 30 fps for DVD) in order for home viewers to enjoy.
Well, I'm happy to report that I noticed little to no difference whatsoever than if it were shot at the standard frame rate, although I must say the video does seem slightly smoother. In fact, the 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode looks utterly fantastic and rather remarkable in some areas. Panning and action sequences are uniform and ultra-slick, not even the smallest hint of motion judder, which would be expected in such instances. This leaves room for a more consistently sharp and highly-detailed presentation where we see every leaf in treetops, every blade of grass and every pebble on the road. Individual hairs in the beards of Gandalf and the company of dwarves are distinct, and each stitching in Bilbo's clothing is very well-defined. Close-ups reveal pores, wrinkles and negligible blemishes with lifelike textures.
Filmed entirely on a Red Epic camera system, the 2.40:1 image also displays a dazzlingly bold and colorful palette, even if the cinematography seems to favor the teal & orange aesthetic. Primaries are richly saturated and animated while a healthy assortment of secondary hues fills the screen with warmth and energy. A crisp, brilliant contrast allows for extraordinary visibility in the distance, exposing the tiniest objects in the background and the fine lines of various rock formations scattered throughout the New Zealand landscape. Black levels are true and inky, penetrating deep into the screen with luxurious gradations, while shadow details remain plain and sharply delineated. It's a splendid, demo-worthy high-def presentation fans will really enjoy.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
The 'Unexpected Journey' also debuts with an explosive, reference-quality DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack that will give any system a healthy workout. Starting in the front soundstage, the mid-range is amazingly extensive and broad, exhibiting the smallest detail with superb, crystal-clear clarity. The tiny pops and sizzles of crackling fire are perfectly audible, and distant, individual droplets of water while in Gollum's cave crash unto rocks with accurate, realistic definition. In action sequences, the upper ranges are precise and distinct, giving each roaring yell and clash of metal upon metal extraordinary intelligibility. Meanwhile, dialogue remains lucid and well-prioritized in the center.
The design also comes with a powerful and robust low-end that extends far back into the room and rattles walls on several occasions. Each thump of the horses' hooves and stomp of a Warg's paw is felt and loudly heard, and battle scenes make the floor rumble with excitement. Along with the excellent dynamic range, the bass plays an appreciable role in Howard Shore's thrilling musical score, adding a great deal of depth and weight to the orchestration, especially when hearing the cellos and the low-pitched brass instruments. A few segments, such as when the company fights a trio of trolls or escapes from a horde of goblins, even offer some fun ultra-low frequencies, but they're not the sort to ruin the foundation.
Rear activity is also filled with more excitement, as subtle ambient effects play almost non-stop throughout the film's runtime. All sorts of wildlife can be heard constantly making a racket in the distance, particularly in scenes with Radagast the Brown. As you'd expect from the several battles, arrows fly overhead, swords swing clear across the room and the goblins come in swarms from behind the listening area. Inside Gollum's cave, voices echo all around with remarkable realism, and panning is fluid and flawless, creating a stunning 360° soundfield that's immersive. Shore's music bleeds into the back channels and envelops viewers with exhilaration, making this a marvelous and highly-satisfying lossless mix audiophiles will absolutely love. |
Kal
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