kal
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| Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:05 pm Post subject: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Ext. Edition) [Blu-ray] |
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Extended Edition) (Blu-ray + UltraViolet) (2013)
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| 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 for this Extended Edition are extensive and exhaustive with hours of information for fans to enjoy, making the overall package the preferred recommended purchase over the previous release.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The extended edition of 'Unexpected Journey' arrives to Blu-ray pretty much as expected with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode that looks identical to its predecessor, and that's not a bad thing. In fact, the video, including the new sequences, looks fantastic and rather remarkable. A consistently sharp and highly-detailed presentation displays every leaf in treetops, every blade of grass and every pebble on the road with resounding clarity. The costumes of each character shows every thread and stitching with extraordinary definition, and individual hairs in the beards are very distinct. 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
Like the video, Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack that is, for the most part, the same one heard in the previous release. The only difference is the addition of the new scenes adding a bit more extension to the low-end, especially during the quirky song and dance performed by the Great Goblin. It's not the sort to ruin the foundation, but it's just enough to be felt in the couch. As for the rest of the movie, bass is the same as before, delivering plenty of oomph to each thump of the horses' hooves and stomp of a Warg's paw while battle scenes enjoy some wall-rattling excitement. Compared to 'The Lords of the Rings' movies, however, the bass could be stronger.
Nevertheless, the lossless mix is reference quality with a mid-range that 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. Along with the excellent dynamic range, the bass provides 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. Meanwhile, dialogue remains lucid and well-prioritized in the center.
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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