kal
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Location: Ottawa, Canada
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| Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 5:30 pm Post subject: Godzilla (2014) [Blu-ray] |
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Godzilla (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD UltraViolet Combo Pack)
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| Quote: | 'Godzilla' (2014) is a fun monster movie with glorious kaiju battles, tons of disaster porn, and breathtaking visuals. I was less impressed with some of the story and character choices upon repeat viewings, but that's okay. As a Blu-ray, the image quality is sharp and dynamic, but with certain displays (like plasmas) you won't be able to watch key sequences in brighter lighting environments. The 7.1 audio mix is robust and immersive, but the Special Features are a little lackluster. If you haven't seen 'Godzilla' yet, you may want to rent it before you buy it. For fans, this title is Recommended. Overall, Worth a Look.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Godzilla' (2014) stomps onto Blu-ray with an excellent AVC-MPEG 4 encode framed in the film's original 2.40:1 aspect ratio.
While the film's palette grows increasingly monotone (and grim), color reproduction and skin tones remain vibrant and accurate. Detail and resolution are available in spades -- you can see every spec of dirt and debris. And though I might argue some of the film's visual effects looked more realistic in cinemas than they do on home video, the monster designs are pretty wicked from Godzilla's scales to the MUTOs glowing red eyes.
There is one potential issue, a thing our readers might be arguing about for some time. Overall light levels. Key sequences in Hawaii and San Francisco are exceptionally dark. I don't know how it will look in 3D Blu-ray, but those with improperly calibrated displays, or those with displays prone to reflecting too much light, might mistake the darkness for bad image quality. However, it seems like an intentional choice to me (one of the film's rules is that the MUTOs knock out power with natural EMPs), but could be a problem for some viewers in certain lighting conditions. I started watching during the late afternoon on my Panny plasma, but had to wait until after dark to finish the climax.
At this point, it's hard to determine if this is a mistake worth knocking off points, or just a movie that you should not watch during the day (or with too much ambient light). I was personally able to enjoy the film without having to adjust my display, and the amount of depth within black levels is damned impressive. This might be the darkest Blu-ray I own next to something like 'The Descent', and even in these scenes where CGI monsters keep flickering into view via lightning strikes or partially hidden by digital debris clouds, I couldn't see any errors. Some lesser displays will band heavily, but other than one or two minor instances, this is a strong encode with little-to-no digital errors.
So let's see what some other reviewers, and you readers, have to say. Let us know in the comments. Best dark scenes ever, or Warners totally messed it up?
The Audio: Rating the Sound
While the video quality might have an issue, 'Godzilla' (2014) roars onto Blu-ray with a reference quality 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround mix.
It's no surprise sound designer Erik Aadahl worked on this impressive soundtrack. From Alexander Desplate's ominous musical score to the aggressively panned auditory carnage of flying debris and destruction to the thunderous LFE of monstrous creatures colliding in a fight to the death, this is a track that delivers on all levels. One that will wake up any native 7.1 system and push you to keep turning the volume as close to reference as your ears can stand it.
My only complaint with this track is that it's not the first Dolby Atmos Blu-ray, because 'Godzilla' sounded even better theatrically with extensive use of the overhead speakers to widen the soundstage (I felt chills when the King roared for the first time). While that mix was incredible, and will be missed, audiophiles are going to love this Blu-ray. |
Kal
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