3D Blu-ray Review THE HTF 3D ADDICT: The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System (1 Viewer)

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 Universe 3D

Studio: A&E

Product Release: January 11, 2011

Ratio: 1.33:1

Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1

Running Time: 47 Minutes

Rating: PG

ON A SCALE 0-5

Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 3

3D Separation: 3

3D In Yo' Face Factor: 2

As 3D technology slowly continues to make its 

way into consumer homes we are starting to see

smaller video companies outside of the studio 

circle begin to release their own content for the format.

One such company is NEW VIDEO who is about

to release The Universe: 7 Wonders of The Solar

System this upcoming January after making the

title available as a "Best Buy Exclusive" in December.

Originally produced for the A&E Television Network,

The Universe describes itself as an "exhilarating,

unprecedented 3D tour of the seven most amazing

wonders of our solar system."  

Truth be, The Universe seems to be a hastily

thrown together documentary to take advantage

of the emerging format and consumers hungry

enough to buy anything on 3D for cheap.

The premise of this documentary is that you board

your very own personal spacecraft and taken on a

3D cosmic tour.  I don't want to discuss everything

that this show covers for reasons I will unveil in a

moment.  Some of the highlights of our journey

include a visit to the Saturn moon of Enceladus

where we watch geysers of water erupting into space.

We take a close look at the asteroid belt, what it is 

comprised of, and how much of a danger it poses to

our planet based upon the myths Hollywood has

shown us. Along the way we are introduced to

scientists who offer their opinions on the topics

that are at hand.

All well and good, but it seems as if the entire

experience is badly executed. 

The first problem is that they made the journey

into a hokey countdown show complete with the

kind of over-the-top, goofy narration you would expect

from this kind of fare.  The second problem is that

the entire documentary is made up of cartoonish graphics

that look rather dated.   So, with the exception of two

or three satellite photos there isn't any actual space

footage included here.  What you get is a computer

graphic rendition of what scientists believe these

"wonders" look like.

The image quality and 3D rendering is perfectly fine.

There's a decent amount of separation within the computer

animation but one can't help but think that they took old

footage and upconverted it.  The 3D actually looks far better

when it is focused on live-action such as scientists and

various nature footage.

Don't expect much "In Yo' Face" 3D despite the fact that

the show tries so hard to throw space debris at the screen.

Most all of it stays firmly within its own dimension.  The

only truly interesting piece of footage in this entire documentary

consists of an actual 3D image taken from space of the Sun

which pokes itself out from the screen towards the viewer.

There are traces of ghosting to be seen here though nothing

persistant enough to ruin the 3D experience.

The Blu-ray features a robust 5.1 DTS soundtrack that 

features clear narration supported by a bass-heavy

music soundtrack.  The rears provide ambience for the

space effects which include asteroids that pass from front

to rear as well as wind noise.  Nothing overly immersive 

but just effective enough.

Equipment

LG 60PX950 THX Certified 3D display

LG BX580 3D Blu-ray Player