kal
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2014 11:47 pm Post subject: Lone Survivor [Blu-ray] |
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Lone Survivor (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD with UltraViolet) (2013)
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| Quote: | 'Lone Survivor' is a powerful and absolutely visceral tribute to our country's fallen heroes. Though the film's sense of patriotism can be a little forced and simplistic, Berg's overall approach is respectful and seemingly authentic. The video and audio are both impressive, offering an immersive home theater experience. Though not packed with supplements, the included featurettes provide some worthwhile insights into the filmmaking process and the real life story that inspired the script. Despite some minor flaws, the movie is a gripping and inspiring piece of filmmaking, and this disc from Universal features a fantastic technical presentation. Highly recommended.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
The movie is provided with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Shot on the Red Epic, this is a nicely detailed and impressive image that leaves little to complain about.
The digital source is mostly pristine, but there is some grain-like noise visible throughout (particularly in the dark) and very minor signs of false contouring and shimmering in isolated shots. There are also a few moments where the picture exhibits an overly digital, smooth look in motion, but this effect is likely inherent to the shooting methods. Clarity is very strong, revealing a great sense of fine detail. Close-ups are especially striking, highlighting every dirty pore and unkempt whisker on the soldiers' faces. Depth is also impressive, bringing a life-like sense of dimension to the image. Colors adhere to a slightly stylized palette that favors browns, yellows, beiges, and greens, emphasizing the Afghanistan wilderness setting. Contrast is high but well balanced and black levels are solid and consistent.
'Lone Survivor' looks very good on Blu-ray, offering a sharp and appropriately stylized image that bolsters the film's gritty intensity.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
The film is presented with an English DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix along with a DVS 2.0 mix and a Spanish DTS 5.1 mix. Optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles are also included. Nuanced, spacious, and absolutely assaulting when it needs to be, this is a powerful and fully enveloping track.
Dialogue is full and easy to hear throughout, even despite the cast's frequent whispering. The movie's sound design is both subtle and aggressive, creating a wide and layered atmosphere. Early scenes set at the base offer a convincing sense of place, and the manner in which we can constantly hear approaching helicopters in the far off distance is especially immersive. Directionality and imaging is precise and natural with smooth panning effects that move from speaker to speaker all around the room. When the characters reach the Afghanistan wilderness, the mix provides a similarly authentic level of ambiance, spreading buzzing flies and wandering goats throughout the soundstage. And once bullets start to blaze, the audio kicks into high gear, becoming a relentless barrage of action that still maintains a delicate layer of balance and design. Whizzing gunshots hit the rears and carry a piercing pop, churning helicopter blades rustle with a deep rumble that hits you right in the gut, and explosions go off with a commanding low frequency boom. One sequence that features the characters falling down a mountain is especially noteworthy for its bone-crushing effects work. Dynamic range remains wide and distortion free, and the film's gently escalating score by Explosions in the Sky and Steve Jablonsky comes through with strong fidelity and separation. With that said, there is a rare anomaly here and there where I could make out what sounded like the faint rustling of the actors' microphones, but this is barely noticeable and not a real concern.
Immersive and artfully designed, the audio mix offers a powerful home theater workout that never loses sight of a delicate level of precision and design beneath all of its explosions. |
Kal
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