Zodiac - Blu-ray Forum

gettodamoofies · 01-08-2011, 06:36 AM

Today I'm starting what I hope to be a series of threads. I'll be starting them on releases I own in my collection and will attempt to do a comprehensive coverage of the release including a full review, a BDInfo scan and a few screenshots which may help to illustrate the general quality of the release. Screenshots are PNG format.

First up is one of my personal favourites: "Zodiac" (2007). Directed by David Fincher and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, this title is released by Warner Bros here in Australia.

My review

Although films such as "Se7en" and "Fight Club" have often garnered more fanatical praise than "Zodiac" I find that this film of all of Fincher's work appears to be his most mature, most natural and above all seems to capture Fincher in his comfort zone. It certainly is a different type of film to Fincher's previous work and shows a more contemplative, factual and straight-by-the-numbers approach. Personally I find it to be incredible viewing with high replay value as the performances by each of the actors are some of the best of their careers. Every aspect of the production seems deliberate and yet very real and it is this documentary type approach to the subject matter which results in a far more compelling film. "Zodiac" represents exceptional film-making and is infinitely watchable. 5/5

Video
Shot digitally, "Zodiac" looks superb. It maintains a very clean look and considering the lengthy run time and the extensive features on the disc the picture quality is great. Although shot digitally the film does not have the often associated digital sheen due in part to the superb cinematography and post processing. The colour palette is somewhat muted at times but this is all part of the intended look used to set the tone of the era the film is set in. There are some instances of some extremely slight banding (the opening fireworks shot for instance) but for the most part the video quality is exceptional and represents a high point of the film's presentation. Fincher's eye for detail and his ability to surround himself with competent people around him pays dividends as the eras of the film are highly detailed and very "lived-in" and this helps to better transport the viewer through the years covered by the film. 4.5/5

Audio
Frustratingly this title has been cursed by Warner Bros with a lossy Dolby Digital track. One of a slew of earlier Warner titles, the film's basic but well designed audio fares about as well as one could expect. Due to the film being a dialogue heavy experience the lossy track is fortunately capable of recreating the experience quite well. It certainly lacks a little of the tightness and crispness of a lossless track but considering the film's minimalistic sound design the impact is lessened due to fewer demands being made of it. Surrounds are used sparingly and the film is not one to make heavy use of the subwoofer but it's certainly a competent, and more importantly, a fitting soundtrack to this type of film. In this case the 3.5/5 I am scoring represents the maximum I feel I can give a lossy track. 3.5/5

Extras
The release contains 2 audio commentaries and extensive features pertaining to both the production and the Zodiac himself. The special features include two lengthy documentaries as well as several shorter segments and together form one of the most impressive and informative special features collections assembled for Blu-ray due to not only the quantity but the high quality of them. 4.5/5

Overall
This film has and will continue to divide audiences. Some like myself find it to be an absolute masterpiece and one of Fincher's finest achievements (his greatest in my opinion). Others may find the pace to be a little slow and the open-ended conclusion disappointing. Regardless, for those who are fans of the genre and of the film it is impossible not to recommend this release. The only downside of this Australian version is the previously mentioned lack of a lossless audio track. Considering this title can be had for as little as 1/3 the cost of the US release it may be a matter of weighing up the pros and cons of the the various releases. As for the film itself, I firmly stand in the "must own" camp and this title is one of my more watched Blu-ray Discs. 4.5/5

Please note: Title is region free.

01-08-2011, 06:36 AM	#1
gettodamoofies Moderator Top contributor Member since:Sep 2009 Location:NSW, Australia 4K collection:609 Blu-ray collection:3162 DVD collection:125 Blu-ray reviews: 26 Trading Score:91	Zodiac Today I'm starting what I hope to be a series of threads. I'll be starting them on releases I own in my collection and will attempt to do a comprehensive coverage of the release including a full review, a BDInfo scan and a few screenshots which may help to illustrate the general quality of the release. Screenshots are PNG format. First up is one of my personal favourites: "Zodiac" (2007). Directed by David Fincher and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo, this title is released by Warner Bros here in Australia. My review Although films such as "Se7en" and "Fight Club" have often garnered more fanatical praise than "Zodiac" I find that this film of all of Fincher's work appears to be his most mature, most natural and above all seems to capture Fincher in his comfort zone. It certainly is a different type of film to Fincher's previous work and shows a more contemplative, factual and straight-by-the-numbers approach. Personally I find it to be incredible viewing with high replay value as the performances by each of the actors are some of the best of their careers. Every aspect of the production seems deliberate and yet very real and it is this documentary type approach to the subject matter which results in a far more compelling film. "Zodiac" represents exceptional film-making and is infinitely watchable. 5/5 Video Shot digitally, "Zodiac" looks superb. It maintains a very clean look and considering the lengthy run time and the extensive features on the disc the picture quality is great. Although shot digitally the film does not have the often associated digital sheen due in part to the superb cinematography and post processing. The colour palette is somewhat muted at times but this is all part of the intended look used to set the tone of the era the film is set in. There are some instances of some extremely slight banding (the opening fireworks shot for instance) but for the most part the video quality is exceptional and represents a high point of the film's presentation. Fincher's eye for detail and his ability to surround himself with competent people around him pays dividends as the eras of the film are highly detailed and very "lived-in" and this helps to better transport the viewer through the years covered by the film. 4.5/5 Audio Frustratingly this title has been cursed by Warner Bros with a lossy Dolby Digital track. One of a slew of earlier Warner titles, the film's basic but well designed audio fares about as well as one could expect. Due to the film being a dialogue heavy experience the lossy track is fortunately capable of recreating the experience quite well. It certainly lacks a little of the tightness and crispness of a lossless track but considering the film's minimalistic sound design the impact is lessened due to fewer demands being made of it. Surrounds are used sparingly and the film is not one to make heavy use of the subwoofer but it's certainly a competent, and more importantly, a fitting soundtrack to this type of film. In this case the 3.5/5 I am scoring represents the maximum I feel I can give a lossy track. 3.5/5 Extras The release contains 2 audio commentaries and extensive features pertaining to both the production and the Zodiac himself. The special features include two lengthy documentaries as well as several shorter segments and together form one of the most impressive and informative special features collections assembled for Blu-ray due to not only the quantity but the high quality of them. 4.5/5 Overall This film has and will continue to divide audiences. Some like myself find it to be an absolute masterpiece and one of Fincher's finest achievements (his greatest in my opinion). Others may find the pace to be a little slow and the open-ended conclusion disappointing. Regardless, for those who are fans of the genre and of the film it is impossible not to recommend this release. The only downside of this Australian version is the previously mentioned lack of a lossless audio track. Considering this title can be had for as little as 1/3 the cost of the US release it may be a matter of weighing up the pros and cons of the the various releases. As for the film itself, I firmly stand in the "must own" camp and this title is one of my more watched Blu-ray Discs. 4.5/5 Please note: Title is region free. Last edited by gettodamoofies; 01-08-2011 at 10:12 AM.

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