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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Jupiter Ascending (Blu-ray) (2015)

Jupiter Ascending (Blu-ray) (2015)

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Released 24-Jun-2015
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Details At A Glance

General		Extras
Category	Sci-Fi Action	Featurette-7 Trailer-x 3 for other Roadshow releases
Rating
Year Of Production	2015
Running Time	127:34
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Ads Then Menu	Cast & Crew
Region Coding	4	Directed By	Andy Wachowski Lana Wachowski
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Channing Tatum Mila Kunis Eddie Redmayne Douglas Booth Tuppence Middleton Sean Bean
Case	?	Starring
RPI	$39.95	Music	Michael Giacchino

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	2.35:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	1080p
Original Aspect Ratio	2.35:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No	Miscellaneous
Subtitles	English for the Hearing Impaired	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

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Plot Synopsis

My colleague, RayN recently reviewed the DVD version of this film, here . I have a different view about this film to Ray, despite agreeing with him about its entertainment value and incredible visuals. Unlike many who have reviewed this film, I think it is a better film than it has been given credit for and that perhaps it is only the central casting of Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis which to some degree reduces the impact of what is a fascinating and interesting concept. They have both mostly starred in lighter, less high concept films and perhaps that is what gives the same air to this film. However, when you stop to think about the concepts and the depths of design here a much better film emerges from behind a light facade. It is certainly true that this film is not as dense and complex as The Wachowski's previous film, Cloud Atlas, however that doesn't mean that a lot of thought and effort hasn't gone into it.

The basic concept that the Earth is just one big cattle farm, waiting for harvesting is a good one. What the people of Earth don't understand is that there is a universal ruling class they are not aware of which includes the incredibly powerful Abrasax family, they own all the planets and decide when they are seeded as the Earth was hundreds of thousands of years ago and also when they are harvested. 'Seeding' means when human life begins on the planet and when the planet is too full, the humans are 'harvested'. This means they are removed from the planet and turned into a serum which is the most valuable thing in the Universe. This serum is used to keep the rich alive for millennia and control of its trade is the key to control of the universe. Other ideas explored include the morality of the way we farm animals, human/animal splicing, class divisions, the challenges of consumerist societies and more. I think these things get missed in this film behind the amazing visuals and fast moving story between the leads.

As I mentioned and Ray mentioned, this is one of the best looking films of recent years with incredible images in virtually every frame, spaceships, floating palaces, amazing planets and even the skyline of Chicago in a way you have never seen it before. The music is also fantastic, by Oscar winning composer, Michael Giacchino significantly adding to the majesty of the visuals. It is fair to say that the actors do not tend to fare as well as the visuals and concepts and Eddie Redmayne particularly chomps the scenery in what is quite an eccentric performance. In general though, I say bravo to the Wachowski's for bringing another marvellous sci-fi vision to the screen and going places where others have not been. Bring it on, I need more science fiction like this!

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Transfer Quality

Video

This video transfer is phenomenal with no issues at all to report. The colour and clarity really reveal the full majesty of the visuals on display with all the various colours in pristine 1080p. The clarity and sharpness is consistently marvellous throughout from close ups to grand vistas of the universe and various planets. Shadow detail is also excellent. The only way this film could look better is in 4K. The edition I am reviewing here is the standard Blu-ray. A 3D Blu-ray is also available. The film is presented in the OAR of 2.35:1.

Subtitles are available in English for the hearing impaired which are clear and easy to read, taking advantage of the black bar at the bottom of the screen.

*Video Ratings Summary*
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

The soundtrack is also phenomenal, presented in Dolby True HD 7.1. There is also an Audio Descriptive track in Dolby Digital 5.1. My setup put the 7.1 channels into 5.1 but you can certainly hear the quality on display. The sounds come from all over the room as you are plunged into the various chase and fight scenes. I am sure it would be even better on a 7.1 enabled system. The music as I mentioned above is marvellous, adding excitement, tension and drama. The surrounds speakers are in constant use as are the front speakers adding some much to the action scenes. The subwoofer also shakes the house in support of all the action including the massive spaceships and exploding warhammer's during the space battles. Just wonderful!

*Audio Ratings Summary*
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

A decent set of extras, although all featurettes. Subtitles are available and they are presented in 1080p with Dolby Digital 2.0 sound.

Jupiter Jones : Destiny is Within Us (6:55)

Same as the featurette on the DVD this focuses on the character of Jupiter including scenes, cast interviews and behind the scenes footage.

Caine Wise : Interplanetary Warrior (5:56)

Not on the DVD, this one covers the character of Caine including his costume, look, makeup, stunts and the use of roller blades. Worthwhile.

The Wachowskis : Mind over Matter (7:25)

Not on the DVD, this one covers the casts views on the director/writers, covers the crew who work on every film with them and discusses their desire for originality and the presence of Terry Gilliam.

Worlds within Worlds within Worlds (5:56)

Not on the DVD, this one covers the character of Caine including his costume, look, makeup, stunts and the use of roller blades. Worthwhile.

Caine Wise : Interplanetary Warrior (9:36)

Not on the DVD, this one covers set design, production design, special effects, lighting, costumes, the planets and spaceships. Worth watching.

Jupiter Ascending : Genetically Spliced (10:25)

Repeated from the DVD this covers the genetics, spliced creatures, design and makeup amongst other things. Interesting.

Bullet Time Evolved (9:35)

Not on the DVD, this featurette looks at the real world stunts used in combination with CGI to make the fight scenes real and yet still sci-fi. Covers lighting, how the Wachowski's work, stunt people and the green screen work. Interesting..

From Earth to Jupiter (And Everywhere in Between) (9:35)

Not on the DVD, this interesting featurette focuses on the writing, ideas, concepts in the film plus the visual mythology employed during the film. Probably the best of all the featurettes.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

The Region A version includes a separate Atmos track for those who can use it but otherwise it is very similar. Region A by a whisker.

Summary

An underrated and interesting concept brought to the screen with marvellous visuals.

The video quality is exceptional.

The audio quality is exceptional.

The extras are decent.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

Review Equipment
DVD	Panasonic DMR-PWT500, using HDMI output
Display	Sharp LC52LE820X Quattron 52" Full HD LED-LCD TV . Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p.
Audio Decoder	Built into amplifier. Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum.
Amplification	Marantz SR5005
Speakers	Monitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Sony SAW2500M Subwoofer

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