Event Horizon (1997/Paramount
Blu-ray)
Picture: B
Sound: B Extras: B Film: B
One of the most underrated Science Fiction/Horror/Outer
Space thrillers has now arrived on Blu-ray, Paul W.S. Anderson’s Event
Horizon (1997), which remains one of his best films. We previously covered the DTS DVD set, which
you can read more about (including much on the film itself) at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3604/Event+Horizon+-+Special+Collector
So the question is, does the Blu-ray version play back
better than the DVD set? Yes, if not as
absolutely optimal as I would have liked it, the improvements are there.
The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image was shot
by the late, great Adrian Biddle, B.S.C., in real anamorphic Panavision with
some effects shot in a large-frame format.
The digital effects are few, but some have dated badly and look poorer
due to the high resolution of the Blu-ray, while the improved detail makes this
more atmospheric and palpable, but the transfer is not as consistent as I hoped
it would be. Still, the production
design and performances benefit nicely.
The substandard Dolby Digital 5.1 from the DVD is repeated
here, but the DTS 5.1 from the DVD has been replaced by an improved Dolby
TrueHD 5.1 mix this is just that much richer, thicker and more effective than the
DTS or older Dolby mixes from before.
However, this is still not the best this exceptional soundtrack could be
from my past experience and the mix is a little more towards the screen than
the soundfield should be. Michael Kamen
composed one of his better scores with Orbital and the end theme by Prodigy is
(as noted before, shall we say), unforgettable for all kinds of reasons. It holds up very well.
Extras are the same as the DVD, though it would have been
nice if they added new features, but what is here is really good.
Recently, Danny Boyle tried his hand at this kind of
thriller with the underrated Sunshine,
which will get more attention now that his Slumdog
Millionaire is such a critical success.
You can read more about the Blu-ray and DVD of Sunshine at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/6439/Sunshine+(2007/Blu-ray
- Nicholas Sheffo
