![Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2011: The 3D Experience [Blu-ray 3D Version]](http://cdn.hometheaterforum.com/1/10/50x50px-ZC-10cae753_B00508W2IA-51gEwnkirRL.jpg)
What can I say? I love 3D! From the moment I began watching 3D content in my home I quickly discovered that I needed more content. I suspect that those of you just purchasing your first 3D hardware will acquire the same ferocious appetite. That's why I became the HTF 3D ADDICT. I personally love images that pop off the screen and come inches away from your face without becoming overly gimmicky. However, I certainly appreciate the nature documentaries that offer beautiful depth and separation. These are not necessarily reviews of the film themselves. I am not going to concentrate on story or supplements -- you can find the 2D reviews elsewhere on this forum. My job is to let you know exactly what kind of 3D experience to expect from the titles that are being released. As I will be receiving a handful of new product from the studios expect to see more title coverage.
Sports Illustrated
Swimsuit 2011
The 3-D Experience
Studio: Sony
Product Release: June 7th, 2011
Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
Running Time: 30 Minutes
Rating: NR
ON A SCALE 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 2
3D Separation: 2
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 0
Buy the magazine instead!
Wow. For once I was looking forward to not having
to sit in front of my display to watch programming
that involved concentrating on a story or an Academy-award
winning performance. For once, I could pop mindless entertainment
into my Blu-ray player, lean back and let my mind wander into
thoughts of.....baseball.
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2011 brings us to the beautiful
island of Maui where we meet three of the magazine's most
smoldering supermodels: Julie Henderson, Alyssa Miller and
cover girl Irana Shayk. Each of the models is given a 10 minute
segment where they all make a concerned effort to talk about how
great it is to model for Sports Illustrated. We do get some insight
into how they began their modeling careers and the process of
getting themselves into character for the photographer. Nobody
viewing this film is going to walk away with any valuable new
information, but then again, that's not why we watch these videos.
And you know what? As much as I love watching stunningly
beautiful women strutting around in bikinis, I don't think that
alone, makes for great entertainment in a home theater environment.
The inclusion of 3D in this feature doesn't make it any more
intriguing, either. Mostly, all the gorgeous Maui beach and
panorama come across as flat than ultra-dimensional. There's
one particular scene where is a model is posing against a
dead tree trunk on the beach that offers a nice sense of depth,
but foreground/background detachment is mostly minimal here.
There is nothing in the way of objects or models being played
for maximum 3D effect, so don't expect anything to spill out of
the screen. Ghosting is non-esistent, even in the few scenes
where models are posing with little lighting.
While the high definition transfer is well done, I had a huge
problem with the way this feature was photographed. In fact,
this was one of the few 3D titles where I actually experienced
eye strain. There is a deliberate attempt to present the models
in foreground focus while everything in the background is blurred.
This wreaks havoc on the eyes as it constantly has to look for
objects to fixate upon (which you would think would come rather
easily in this case). Additionally, because there seems to be
some intentional softening done with the photography, closeups
tend to look unfocused as well.
Most of the shots of the gorgeous Maui beach and tropical
backdrops are stunningly conveyed in this transfer along with
a well defined array of colors that include the rich greens of
the tropical forrest, the piercing golden sunsets across the
beach and the neon colored swimsuits that seem to have a
glow of their own.
One would not expect to pay attention to the music that
accompanies a feature such as this, but this 5.1 lossless
synthesized soundtrack is pretty difficult to ignore as it
envelopes the viewer, delivering a strong undertow of
LFE activity. One would call it quite punchy and enveloping
at times. The surrounds do a great job of delivering the
relaxing, ambient sounds of the Maui landscape.
CONCLUSION
The concept of swimsuit models in 3D is certainly
intriguing and I am certain will bait many into considering
a purchase. However, the novelty quickly wares off once
you realize there's very little substance here and the 3D
is mostly inadequate.
Seriously, you would be much better off buying the magazine
than spending $15 on this 30-minute infomercial for Sports
Illustrated.
Images are for illustrative purpose only not representative of the picture quality or content of this disc.
Equipment
LG 60PX950 THX Certified 3D display
Oppo BDP-93 3D Blu-ray Player
Denon 3311CI Receiver
Atlantic Technology H-PAS AT-1 fronts, 4400 center; 4200 rear speakers
SV Sound Subwoofer
