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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Apocalypto

    Featured In Issue 122, July/August 2007

    Picture4.5
    SoundNR
    WSR Score5
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Touchstone Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    53644
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    For sequences of graphic violence and disturbing images
    (Retail Price):
    $34.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    138
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2006
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    05/22/07
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Mel Gibson
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    PCM 24/48 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Jaguar Paw's (Youngblood) life as a peaceful hunter is forever changed when his remote village is attacked by the mighty Mayan kingdom, and he is chosen to be the human sacrifice to please the Gods that be. Determined to return to his expecting wife and young son, he will do whatever it takes to escape those who have imprisoned him, and it his vast knowledge of the surrounding forest that may just make his escape a reality. Apocalypto was inspired by ancient Mayan texts. (Jack Kelley)

    Special features include commentary with Writer/Director/Producer Mel Gibson and Writer/Co-Producer Farhad Safinia, a deleted scene with optional Gibson/Safinia commentary, and the 25-minute Becoming Mayan: Creating Apocalypto.

    The H.264 AVC-encoded Blu-ray Disc shows impressive detail and lush colors. Fine textures, such as small beads of sweat on faces, are impressively presented. Contrast is generally balanced nicely and blacks are deep, but there are times when they can be inconsistent. Pixelization is not noticeable in this version. (Danny Richelieu)

    The Mayan-language Dolby® Digital and DTS® Digital Surround™ 5.1-channel encodings have a very exciting, enveloping mix. Each of the available channels are incorporated well to deliver the spaciousness of the forest, seemingly extending well beyond the physical limitations of the room. The very good dynamic range brings out the subtle nuances in the recording well. Phantom imaging is prevalent throughout, and the entire soundfield is active throughout the presentation. The LFE channel is incorporated well, but tight, deep bass is rare in the soundtrack. Dialogue generally sounds well recorded, but there are times when spatial coherence is slightly off. The DTS soundtrack provides a subtle improvement in fidelity, which in turn provides a more realistic soundfield around the room. The Blu-ray Disc's uncompressed linear PCM encoding provides superb fidelity, with smooth, natural voices and an even greater sense of realism in the atmospheric mix. (Danny Richelieu)

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    Brandon Nickel
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