- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 66,774
- 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.
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Product Release: April 19, 2011
Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Spanish & Porugese 5.1 Dolby Digital
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Rating: PG
ON A SCALE 0-5
Overall 3D Presentation Rating: 2
3D Separation: 2
3D In Yo' Face Factor: 0
Even 3D Can't Save This Dreck!
Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, originally published
in 1726, has been one of the most renowned classics of
English literature. Perhaps better that Mr. Swift not be
alive today to see this ungodly interpretation of his work
bastardized by the likes of Jack Black, an actor that
Hollywood still has not apparently realized nobody thinks
is talented nor funny.
Sorry to be so blunt, but sitting through this tripe only
makes you feel embarrassed for the actors that signed
on to participate. While I am certain the film was an
easy payday for a cast that only had to go through
the most wooden of emotions in front of blue screen, I am
sure none of them are too happy about including this film
on their resume.
The film is ever so loosely based on the original literary
works, deprived of its original political and religious satire,
and reduced to a mere children's story filled with pre-puberic
humor. It is exactly the kind of film you would expect Jack
Black to be starring in. For when you want to make a film
that caters to the lowest common denominator, what better
than to hire someone to play the lead whose only talent is
carry an entire movie with his patented assortment of facial
features that got old after The School of Rock.
In this adaptation, Lemuel Gulliver (Jack Black) is a mailroom
clerk in a large newspaper facility. He has a crush on one of
the newspaper's travel editors, Darcy Silverman (Amanda
Peet), and attempts to impress her by volunteering to go on
assignment to write a column. Darcy sends Lemuel into the
Bermuda Triangle where a turbulent sea storm shipwrecks
his boat on an island where he becomes imprisoned by tiny
inhabitants known as Lilliputs.
Oh, the writers must have dreamed of putting Jack Black into
this playground where he can strut his stuff amongst tiny city
models and stiff actors who point and gawk at every move
the giant makes. Here is a land Jack Black makes his own,
infusing every pop icon reference (including several Fox
properties) he can to make it hip and funny -- but unfortunately
the movie turns out to be anything but.
In an effort to make this garbage even more appealing to
audiences, the moviemakers decided to present it in 3D.
That would be well and good if there was a reason to make
audiences shell out a few dollars more to enjoy the spectacle.
Unfortunately, a great opportunity was totally shelved here.
For the life of me, I couldn't understand why the filmmakers
didn't allow "Mr. Eyebrows" and his supporting cast to make
better use of the props they were given for the benefit of the
format. It was after watching the film that I learned that the
entire film was shot for 2D and then upconverted for 3D.
That makes complete sense, for I will be honest with you,
Gulliver's Travels does not benefit by the 3D process
whatosever. Sure, the mere scope of the film, placing
big objects within small environments, offers an interesting
amount of dimensional spacing, but overall the film often
looks flat to the point you forget you are watching a 3D feature.
I feel somewhat ashamed, as the HTF 3D GURU that I
don't have more to tell you about the quality of the 3D --
but there just isn't anything I was inspired by. When you
have a feature originally staged and filmed for 2D, one
can't expect the film to break any new ground here. In
fact, nothing onscreen comes close to leaping off the
screen.
Ghosting is barely present here. I didn't notice it at all
through much of the film up until a scene towards the
end that takes place in a darkened cave between
Gulliver and Darcy where I saw quite a bit of image
doubling.
The Blu-ray transfer sports a very crisp, pleasing image
that is colorfully vibrant. One need only to check out the
lush greens of the Liliput country landscape to see how
well colors are represented in this high-def transfer. There
is no artifacts to be found anywhere.
A 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track is rather ample, though
never pushes the boundaries of being exceptional. To clarify,
the audio is clear and strong and the surrounds provide good
support for the film's effects, but this is far from being the
best DTS track I have heard despite there being some nice
underlying bass response during the climatic effect sequences.
The Blu-ray 3D combo back also includes a DVD and Digital
Copy as ell as 60 minutes of all-new bonus material.
CONCLUSION
Gulliver's Travels should be a total embarrassment for
everyone involved with it. The film best appeals to kids
who might get a kick out of some of the film's more
vulgar humor. Adults will be completely straight-faced
throughout.
Even with a price difference of $5, there is no benefit
to upgrading to the 3D version. Stick with the standard
Blu-ray instead.
Images are for illustrative purpose only not representative of the picture quality of this disc.
Equipment
LG 60PX950 THX Certified 3D display
Oppo BDP-93 3D Blu-ray Player
Denon 3808CI Receiver
Atlantic Technology H-PAS AT-1 fronts, 4400 center; 4200 rear speakers
SV Sound Subwoofer
