- Joined
- Feb 8, 1999
- Messages
- 18,425
- Real Name
- Robert Harris
If a film must rise or fall on the concepts and performance of a single filmmaker, Oblivion in one of them. This is our old auteur theory.
In spades.
Based upon an unpublished graphic novel by Mr. Kosinski, apparently used to get the project green-lit, Joseph Kosinski's Oblivion, for Universal, is an interesting, albeit occasionally infuriating ride.
Effects work seamlessly with production photography, making it impossible to survey a frame, and delineate green screen, from digital to practical, or anything that happens to be thrown at the audience.
It's another running, jumping, standing still film for Mr. Cruise, which is something he's honed over the decades, and can probably now do in his sleep. While smiling.
The cast is rounded out by Andrea Riseborough (Bridman), Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Silence) and of course, Morgan Freeman (his 38th film in 2013), with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in a small, but important role, with big billing, and Melissa Leo, as the Beaver.
In a strange way, similar to Now You See Me, Oblivion seldom makes itself known as to what or who might be real, or possibly computer driven reality. There are sequences that seem somehow self-important, as if the filmmaker knew that he was creating a modern classic.
My take is that either the film was an hour longer, and shed cogent details in the cutting, or the script went into production before it was ripe for picking.
Regardless, Oblivion is an interesting exercise for our new 4k media, in that there are shots, especially some XLS in space, that I cannot imagine working properly in a lesser resolution.
HDR provides the black blacks necessary for the film, while the overall resolution, acquired as 4 and 5k sources, was completed as a 2k DI.
Universal's UHD 4k release makes good use of every pixel, yielding a gorgeous final result. Dolby Atmos (my personal go-to for audio) provides a huge, controlled sound stage that matches the aura of the film.
Part Planet of the Apes, part 2001, part Star Wars, the film is an amalgam of bits and pieces ripped from our memories, that in some cases seems to work, and in others...
A final word regarding Universal's proprietary packaging. There are slipcovers that make a statement, that can look beautiful or horrific. Some that are destined for the trash heap.
What seems to have become Universal's signature packaging for 4k UHD shines, and actually provides a pseudo-glimpse as to what the film may look like in HDR. A very elegant, and thoughtfully designed package.
Image - 5
Audio - 5 (Dolby Atmos)
4k - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Worth the double-dip - 5
Recommended (more as a disc, than as a film)
RAH
In spades.
Based upon an unpublished graphic novel by Mr. Kosinski, apparently used to get the project green-lit, Joseph Kosinski's Oblivion, for Universal, is an interesting, albeit occasionally infuriating ride.
Effects work seamlessly with production photography, making it impossible to survey a frame, and delineate green screen, from digital to practical, or anything that happens to be thrown at the audience.
It's another running, jumping, standing still film for Mr. Cruise, which is something he's honed over the decades, and can probably now do in his sleep. While smiling.
The cast is rounded out by Andrea Riseborough (Bridman), Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Silence) and of course, Morgan Freeman (his 38th film in 2013), with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in a small, but important role, with big billing, and Melissa Leo, as the Beaver.
In a strange way, similar to Now You See Me, Oblivion seldom makes itself known as to what or who might be real, or possibly computer driven reality. There are sequences that seem somehow self-important, as if the filmmaker knew that he was creating a modern classic.
My take is that either the film was an hour longer, and shed cogent details in the cutting, or the script went into production before it was ripe for picking.
Regardless, Oblivion is an interesting exercise for our new 4k media, in that there are shots, especially some XLS in space, that I cannot imagine working properly in a lesser resolution.
HDR provides the black blacks necessary for the film, while the overall resolution, acquired as 4 and 5k sources, was completed as a 2k DI.
Universal's UHD 4k release makes good use of every pixel, yielding a gorgeous final result. Dolby Atmos (my personal go-to for audio) provides a huge, controlled sound stage that matches the aura of the film.
Part Planet of the Apes, part 2001, part Star Wars, the film is an amalgam of bits and pieces ripped from our memories, that in some cases seems to work, and in others...
A final word regarding Universal's proprietary packaging. There are slipcovers that make a statement, that can look beautiful or horrific. Some that are destined for the trash heap.
What seems to have become Universal's signature packaging for 4k UHD shines, and actually provides a pseudo-glimpse as to what the film may look like in HDR. A very elegant, and thoughtfully designed package.
Image - 5
Audio - 5 (Dolby Atmos)
4k - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Worth the double-dip - 5
Recommended (more as a disc, than as a film)
RAH