- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 66,786
- 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.
GODZILLA
Studio: Warner Bros.
Product Release: September 16, 2014
Ratio: 2.4:1
Audio: DTS-HD MA 7.1
Running Time: 123 minutes
Rating: PG-13
On A Scale 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 3
3D Separation: 3
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 1
Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston), his wife Sandra (Juliette Binoche) and son live in
the suburbs of Tokyo. On one particular morning, an earthquake-like disaster
hits the power plant where both Brody and his wife work. As the plant begins to
suffer a meltdown, Brody attempts to save his wife but ultimately has to sacrifice
her to save everyone else. Grief stricken, he spends the next 15 years attempting to
find answers to how the accident occurred, believing it was not due to natural causes.
The film jumps 15 years ahead as we find Brody's grown son, Ford (Arron
Taylor-Johnson) living in San Francisco with his wife (Elizabeth Olson) and their
young boy. When Ford receives a disturbing phone call, he returns to Japan to find
his estranged father still investigating the circumstances surrounding the nuclear accident.
This leads both father and son to discover an insect-like creature with giant wings
(nicknamed MUTO) which has hatched itself from the earth's innards. And wouldn't you
know it, there's not just one MUTO...but two. As the creatures make their way towards
San Francisco, its mating call awakens Godzilla, the mightiest monster of them all, who
mankind is depending upon to fight and destroy the MUTO duo.
Godzilla looks as good as expected in 1080p. Though dark most of the time (which
may be a problem for some plasmas), there is much detail revealed in the transfer.
Colors are mostly muted, giving the film a very natural and realistic look. Blacks look
inky and there are no digital artifacts to be seen anywhere. An excellent transfer all around.
The problem with spending the extra money to buy this 3D Blu-ray combo is that this
is yet another post conversion effort that does very little to enhance the overall viewing
experience. Level of separation varies throughout the film. For instance, I felt that there
was very little background/foreground separation during the first half. While the intensity
improves in the second half, I still felt that the overall amount of depth looked quite tame
compared to the stellar efforts of Pacific Rim (one of the best post-converted films ever
made). Overhead shots are perhaps the most impressive looking facet of the 3D
enhancement, but for the most part, doesn't make this film a better watch. There is
no pop-out to be seen other than a brief moment where the nose of a warhead seems to
poke itself forward.
I saw absolutely no hints of ghosting.
I suppose the biggest thing this transfer has going for itself is its 7.1 mix designed by
Erik Aadahl (Transformers: Dark of the Moon). This is a highly aggressive track that
brings out the roars of military equipment, and floor-shaking LFE rumblings caused by
tremors. Having recently upgraded my equipment to 7.1, I was again astounded by
the manner in which the additional rear channels fill sound gaps in providing added
support for crashing, crumbling structural debris and various weather elements. With
excellent panning and directionals, this soundtrack sounds larger than life and one
that will become a "reference" disc in your library.
Godzilla arrives as a 3-disc (Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD + Digital HD) combo housed
with lenticular cardboard packaging. Extras include a declassified look at the cover-up
to keep Godzilla's existence a secret by the MONARCH corporation. There is also a
behind-the-scenes look at the feature with the cast and filmmakers.
CONCLUSION
Consider me unimpressed on most all levels. I found Godzilla to be poorly paced,
awfully miscast, and as a result, a tedious viewing experience. Even the film's star
gets reduced to a mere cameo appearance making it a bit of a letdown to its fans.
The addition of 3D is mostly pointless, does nothing to enhance the viewing experience
and gets hindered somewhat by many dark scenes that further reduce the already
weak levels of separation.
My advice is to save your money and opt for the 2D release instead.
Images are for illustrative purpose only not representative of the picture quality of this disc.
Equipment
Samsung PN64F8500 display professionally calibrated by Gregg Loewen, Lion AV
Oppo BDP-93 3D Blu-ray Player
Denon 3311CI Receiver
Atlantic Technology H-PAS AT-1 fronts, 4400 center; 4200 rear side and back speakers
SV Sound Subwoofer