So how does this transfer hold up?
... |
VIDEO
The 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is simply superb!
The
entire transfer is sharp and clear and does not lapse from this at any time. There are no
visible edge enhancements and simply not a grain anywhere. Shadow detail is exquisite
given the basis of the film is shot in dark and stormy scenes. The colour palette is also
fantastic. The bulk of the film is dark and stormy but the colour does not suffer in any
way. There are lots of dark deep-sea colours but still plenty of natural colour at the
beginning of the film and of course through the continuance of the film.
There
are no film artefacts and certainly no MPEG artefacts. There are some very slight
instances of ailiasing and shimmering but it certainly isn’t worth complaining about.
AUDIO
The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track was also spectacular and
certainly kept all my neighbours out of bed.
Dialogue
was always clear but of course was intentionally drowned out with sound effects at times.
The range and quality of effects on offer is sensational. The entire sound stage is used
to its greatest potential and you will find yourself feeling like you are right in the
middle of this storm the entire time.
The
surround channels and LFE channel are used better than any other film I have seen on DVD.
This is simply superb and for the greater part of the film the surrounds are working just
as hard as the front sound stage and the base is consistently rumbling away.
The
score from James Horner is equally impressive and simply of his best. After a film like
Titanic James Horner had something really quite sensational to live up to, but he has
outdone himself and this is another fantastic enveloping score which fits the film at all
times.
EXTRAS
Cast and Crew Listing
Theatrical
Trailer
Soundtrack
Promo Trailer: A short promo for the soundtrack. 20 secs
Audio
Commentary (Director Wolfgang Petersen) This is one of the best audio commentaries
I’ve come across recently and is incredibly insightful into the making of the film
and the roles played by the special effects. This is an interview style commentary, which
is remarkably enjoyable considering I generally don’t like them at all.
Audio
Commentary (Author Sebastian Junger) Also not a bad commentary, with a lot of background
information coming from someone who actually experienced the storm.
Featurette
HBO Creating the Perfect Storm: Not a bad little making of featurette with some great
interviews of the town’s people portrayed in the film. 20mins.
Featurette
Creating the Emotion: A nice little piece based on the creation of the score and featuring
interview cuts from Jams Horner. 4 mins
Featurette
Witness to the Storm: Basically a short collection of interviews of people who experienced
the storm back in 1991. Mostly the people of Gloucester. 4.5 mins
Conceptual
Art: Commentary from Wolfgang Petersen on some conceptual paintings that were produced to
get an idea of how the film would eventuate. 10mins
Photo
Montage: Collection of Stills from the film
StoryBoard
Gallery: 3 storyboard sequences.
DVD
ROM Features: Links to informative websites about the Storm, Lots of bits and pieces
photo’s film footage etc.
OVERALL
This is simply one of the best films in my collection, and it should be in
everyone else’s. The transfer quality and audio quality are nothing short of superb
and the content of features is also sensational. Worthy of a collectors edition.
| PICTURE
QUALITY |
9.75/10 only
one tiny little problem |
SOUND
- Quality
- 5.1 WOW Factor |
10/10 perfect
10/10 |
| EXTRAS |
10/10
fabulous selection |
| OVERALL |
10/10
don’t miss this one! |
Review Equipment
TV: GE 68cm (16:9 selectable)
DVD: Pioneer DV737 (via S-Video)
Receiver: Yamaha DTS RX-V595a (Sweeeeet)
Speakers:-
Fronts: Wharfdale Diamond R6 (on a pair of custom made stands you'd KILL for)
Centre: Venturi
Rears: Sony bookshelf
Subby: M&K V75
- Reviewed 9th March 2001
*Perfect Storm jpeg files for
internet promotion use only. Copyright© exists on all aspects of these files by Warner
Home Video.
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