kal
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Location: Ottawa, Canada
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| Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2014 6:49 pm Post subject: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes |
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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
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| Quote: | I personally loved 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' for its character work, photo realistic visual effects, suspenseful action sequences, and a top-tier sound mix, all of which make one hell of a Blu-ray. This Blu-ray + Digital HD offers up terrific video, a reference quality 7.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix (that I want to hear again in Atmos), and tons of HD-exclusive Bonus Materials.
As for which version to buy, if you don't care for 3D, this is the version to buy. If you enjoy 3D, get that version.
The Video: Sizing Up the Picture
'Dawn' storms onto Blu-ray with a wonderfully detailed AVC MPEG-4 encode framed in the film's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio.
Photographed with a muted color palette fitting the post apocalyptic and rainy San Francisco and Muir Woods settings. Detail and overall resolution seems endless. (CGI) Animal fur, sets, human costumes, and rainy forests all come alive. Skin tones (human and ape) are realistic and well balanced. And, despite the muted palette, there is tons of color pop (particularly things like green moss). Night sequences are also great, highlighting excellent black levels -- check out the scene at the gas station in the woods. The glowing 76 ball is gorgeous, as is the sequences lit by huge fires.
For 99 percent of the film's running time, 'Dawn' approaches reference quality, but is held back because of a couple blink-and-you-miss-them moments of banding, some spikes in noise, and because the occasional visual effect is a touch less real here than there were in cinemas. Very minor quibbles.
The Audio: Rating the Sound
While 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' debuted theatrically with a stunning Dolby Atmos surround mix, Fox has elected to release this Blu-ray in 7.1 DTS-HD MA. But don't worry, this is a reference quality, demonstration worthy sound mix with a wide dynamic range catering to swirling action sequences and immersive quiet moments.
Despite lacking height channels, the immpressive 'Dawn' soundtrack immediately captures the attention with the soft pattering of rain dripping on leaves, transforming your living room / home cinema into a forrest. From there things only improve, from the guttural ape speak to Michael Giacchino's terrific orchestral score that manages to create new themes while evoking the franchise's origins. LFE levels are tight and punchy, but never overwhelming. Surround effects panning is aggressive too.
Overall, 'Dawn' boasts an awesome Blu-ray audio experience. |
Kal
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