7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
Follows a soldier trying to gain recognition for comrades who died in 1948, at a turning point in the civil war between the communists and the nationalist forces of the Kuomintang (KMT).
Starring: Hanyu Zhang, Chao Deng, Fan Liao, Baoqiang Wang, Jun HuForeign | 100% |
War | 82% |
Drama | 75% |
History | 72% |
Action | 54% |
Video codec: MPEG-2
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.31:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Mandarin: Dolby Digital 5.1
Mandarin: Dolby Digital 2.0
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A big-budget war drama loaded with political innuendo, Feng Xiaogang’s “Assembly” (2007) is likely to divide as many as it will probably impress. Touching upon a myriad of sensitive themes, the film tells a simple story about a true hero, but underneath it there is a lot more to ponder. Courtesy of UK-based distributors Metrodome Video. Region-Free.
Pounding the enemy
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.31:1, encoded with MPEG-2 and granted a 1080p transfer, Assembly is distributed in the United Kingdom by Metrodome Video.
There are some key differences between the HK Blu-ray release of Assembly and this UK-distributed disc. First, the UK Blu-ray disc is encoded with MPEG-2 (the HK disc is encoded with MPEG-4 AVC). Second, the UK release boasts a 1080p transfer while the HK Blu-ray disc has a 1080i transfer. Third, the UK disc offers three Mandarin tracks, including a Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, while the HK disc has two Mandarin tracks, including a Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 mix, and a Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1 EX dub. This being said, the UK video presentation is quite similar to the one found on the HK disc. The color-scheme is practically identical to the one seen on the HK disc, contrast is solid, and clarity very pleasing. The actual transfer for the UK disc also appears to be practically identical to the one used for the HK release, as I was certainly able to detect the same tiny specks and dots that I noticed on the HK disc. Now, with all these clarifications out of the way, I must make it perfectly clear that the HK disc actually does look a bit better. The UK discs reveals plenty of mild edge-enhancement (quite obvious during the battle scenes in the snow fields), which depending on the size of your TV set will more than likely be an issues of concern. I was also able to spot some mild to average contrast boosting that may annoy the more sensitive amongst you. To sum it all up, the UK disc by Metrodome Video certainly treats Assembly with the proper dose of attention, but the few minor issues I addressed above are probably a good enough reason to consider the HK disc instead. (Note: The UK disc is Region-Free and therefore you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).
There are three audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: Mandarin: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Mandarin: Dolby Digital 5.1, and Mandarin: Dolby Digital 2.0. To be honest with you, I could not detect any notable gaps in quality between the Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track found on this UK disc, and the Mandarin DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 track from the HK disc. To my ears both of those tracks sound absolutely the same. This being said, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is just as aggressive, offering plenty of activity though the rear channels, and free of any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissing. The bass is also solid – it is deep, punchy, and powerful. Finally, the English translation on the UK disc is substantially better than that found on the the HK disc - grammatical and syntax errors are not an issue of concern here (for the record, the English subtitles are split between the image frame and the black bars underneath it).
Aside from the original theatrical trailer for Assembly and a standard "Making of" featurette, both in standard-def PAL, there is absolutely nothing else to be found on this Blu-ray disc.
Feng Xiaogang's Assembly has plenty of heart and great visuals to compliment its story. It is also a very bold film, one that, surprisingly, does not shy away from producing some quite unconventional for Chinese cinema political statements. The Blu-ray disc, courtesy of UK-based distributors Metrodome Video, is similar to the HK disc, but it is not an exact replica of it. The two Blu-ray releases are encoded differently and offer different audio options. I personally prefer the HK disc because it lacks the edge-enhancement I noticed on the UK disc.
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