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- Messages
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- Real Name
- Ronald Epstein
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.
The Great Gatsby
Studio: Warner Bros.
Product Release: August 27, 2013
Ratio: 2.4:1
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; Dolby Digital French & Spanish 5.1
Running Time: 142 minutes
Rating: PG-13
On A Scale 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 3
3D Separation: 3
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 0
Not ever having read the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, nor having
seen any of the previous film adaptations, I went into this viewing of The
Great Gatsby with an open mind and somewhat high expectations knowing
that it came from director Baz Luhrmann, the man responsible for one of
my favorite films, Moulin Rouge.
Speaking of Moulin Rouge, if you loved that film, most likely you are going
to adore The Great Gatsby, which has most all the same elements intact here
outside of the musical numbers. It's a lavish production -- at times a theme park
ride -- complete with exhausting quick edits, spinning camera motions and
over-the-top party scenes populated by seemingly thousands of drunken guests.
Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) is an aspiring writer and Bonds salesman
who lives out in the country near his cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) and her
rather volatile husband, Tom Buchanon (Joel Edgerton). An invitation to a
party introduces Carraway to Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), a millionaire who
pulls him into a world of bountiful luxury in hopes of a return favor that will
reunite the socialite with a lost love.
With so much emphasis placed on the film's visuals it becomes apparent
that if taken away, there isn't much of a story left to keep one engaged.
Furthermore, the audience never really has the opportunity to bond with
the characters to to really care what happens to them.
...but who cares?! The film's exaggerated visuals depicting "The Roaring
20s," amplified in glorious 3D, kept this viewer in a constant, hypnotic trance.
There is so much appreciation to be had for the complex world that Visual Effects
Supervisor Chris Godfrey has created for this film. There's a tantalizing
sequence where Gatsby takes Carraway for a ride in a brilliant yellow 1929
Duesenberg. The camera follows overhead as the car races through countryside
roads into the Manhattan Skyline. The depth that 3D provides makes it look
like something out of a pop-up book, so beautiful and tantalizing to watch that
it nearly takes your breath away. Luhrmann prefers to keep all the cool 3D
elements within the screen (rather than outside of it), with plenty of neat effect
touches that include floating champagne bubbles and thrown confetti. One of
the most interesting 3D effects was Gatsby shaking his cane. That was perhaps
the one prop that came closest to protruding itself outward. The transfer is
immaculate as expected, with popping, vibrant colors and nice inky black levels.
None of the brilliant imagery was lost with active shutter eyewear. Crosstalk was
slightly evident in some scenes near the beginning of the film, but it wasn't
frequent enough for it to be an issue.
The film's DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack doesn't disappoint with its robust presentation
and underlying LFE that emphasizes the beat of the film's various hip-hop tracks
(yes you read that correctly) as well as selections from other popular contemporary
artists. The rears give support for the jazzy film score as well as providing ambience
for the party sequences and weather elements.
The Great Gatsby arrives as a 3-Disc (Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD/Ultraviolet)
package with a lenticular sleeve. There are a wealth of extras that include
deleted scenes, trailers, and features on the sounds and fashion of the 20s
era.
CONCLUSION
The first question you must ask yourself is if you need to see The Great
Gatsby. For fans of Baz Luhrmann and his stylish Moulin Rouge, this becomes
an easy film to admire. Anyone looking outside of the visuals for a entertaining
story are going to somewhat disappointed.
If one is considering a 2D or 3D purchase of the Blu-ray, it is definitely worth
considering the latter. The layers of depth that the 3D process provides really
augments the tantalizing visuals created for this film. I could not imagine enjoying
The Great Gatsby as much without that added depth this presentation provides.
Images are for illustrative purpose only not representative of the picture quality of this disc.
