Turning The Spotlight On: La La Land in Dolby Atmos (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

I know what I am about to say will anger many. I might as well get this out of the way from the start....

I did not enjoy LA LA LAND

Oh, I give credit to Hollywood for at least trying to capture the splendor of musicals of yesteryear, but alas, this is one of the most joyless and boring films I have ever had the opportunity to view in recent memory.

Part of the problem with this film is that the characters aren't overly likable, nor does the dancing rise to the occasion. I just didn't find Gosling or Stone talented enough to make me really care about this film.

That all being said, I am here to talk about the Dolby Atmos presentation, that is, if there's a presentation at all.

The musical numbers sound electrifying in 7.1 with all the channels working to provide encompassing sound. The problem is, the overheads are completely silent for 99.9% of the film, which makes me wonder why this film was even mixed for Atmos. There's nothing, in any of the scenes, that needs overhead direction. In one single scene which happens near the end of the film, a helicopter can be heard flying overhead as Emma Stone and her husband are sitting in traffic contemplating taking the turn-off. That is the only time I sensed any overhead activity.

I would have hoped that the musical numbers would achieve added dimensionality by having some of the instrumentals thrown to the height channels. Such is not the case here. I got out of my recliner several times throughout the film to see if any of the music was being thrown overhead. Nothing but silence.

One final note I would like to add to this, before someone asks: Yes, Dolby Atmos was active on my Denon receiver. The Atmos trailer registered correctly once I started the film. The receiver indicated that all my channels were active. Finally, I did mention an overhead affect that I was able to distinguish late in the film.

I would be very interested to read other reviews on this Atmos presentation as some of you obtain this release over the next few weeks.



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[RichMurphy]

This must be a first for this forum: a complaint that a Dolby Atmos film DID include a Dolby Atmos soundtrack on the Blu-Ray.

I'll try to remember to post my views on the soundtrack when I get my copy at the end of the month, remembering of course that there is a lot more to Dolby Atmos than just overhead effects. (I didn't see the film in an Atmos auditorium, but I did see it during its IMAX presentation and the sound was wonderfully enveloping there.)

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Rich,

I am not complaining that a Dolby Atmos film was released on Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos Soundtrack.

I am frustrated that there was no need for the Atmos presentation as the height channels aren't driving the enveloping experience.

 

[RichMurphy]

Rich,

I am not complaining that a Dolby Atmos film was released on Blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos Soundtrack....

Oh, I know you weren't. That's why I added the smiley face at the end of my sentence.

As someone who thought the film was actually better than I was expecting, I am looking forward to seeing (and hearing) it in my Murphy Theatre. I'll report back on my sound experience.

 

[Robert Harris]

What really constitutes a "need?"

The filmmaker and sound designer may feel that they wish to have extremely subtle, limited activity in certain extra channels.

For the record, as I recall, Lawrence used the fx channel, probably a dozen times or less, the most notable being the echoes of Peter's singing.

Is it unusual to have a relatively sparse Atmos mix? Possibly. And toward that, your point is taken, as it's an interesting anomaly.

But there have been a decent number of Atmos mixes, that used the technology sparingly.

Case in point, listen to the first couple of seasons of Game of Thrones, remixed in Atmos. If you compare v the original mix, you'll find the extra channels used very conservatively. The use in later seasons made up for it.

I noticed it during playback of LLL, and at times even placed on hand on speakers to see if they were active.

An interesting experiment, might be to run the film with ONLY your height channels, and see precisely what's there.

Your point is taken, as our expectations are that height channels, when part of a sound design are generally more active, but again, it's all part of the filmmakers desire.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Ron,

Your opinion shouldn't anger anyone. If it does then other people aren't respecting opinions that are contrary to their own. This film has its supporters and detractors. I'm in the middle and have this 4K/UHD disc on pre-order so I'm looking forward to revisiting it again. I don't know if my opinion will change about this film so we'll see what happens. IMO, I think Beauty and Beast was a better musical than La La Land. Anyhow, film appreciation is so personal and subjective to each individual that it's impossible that every person will share the same opinion of any film.