6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A real military action during the last year of the Korean War is re-enacted on the spot with real soldiers.
Director: Owen CrumpDocumentary | 100% |
War | 21% |
History | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.67:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.66:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 3.0
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Blu-ray 3D
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 1.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Cease Fire is more a curiosity than it is a classic, but it may be one of the more authentic wartime picture ever made. While some are certainly based in first-hand reality -- Oliver Stone crafted Platoon largely from his own experiences in-country -- Cease Fire stars the very men who served and was filmed on-location in Korea immediately following the cessation of hostilities. It's also one of the first War films to be shot in 3D. Indeed, it all adds up to a curiosity, albeit a rather authentic one, and a fun little movie, too. The film arrives on Blu-ray 3D from the 3-D Film Archive, fully restored from the original 35mm elements. As always, the Archive has a very detailed look back on the film on its website, which is well worth reading and contains far more insight into the production than this review could ever include.
2D does not do this shot justice.
Note: the 2D image was reviewed on an LG OLED65C7P while the 3D content was reviewed on a Sony XBR65Z9D.
Cease Fire contains both 2D and 3D presentations. First, a review of the 2D image. This is a very strong image that features high yield
textural qualities. Sharp military dress uniform and facial definition in the opening address are readily apparent. Old radio equipment in a command
tent seen at the 33-minute mark shows high use wear-and-tear, and various example of Korean terrain including rocky formations and brush are
pleasantly complex. Uniforms are agreeably defined, and viewers can see the texture on the hand grenades the soldiers wear on their chests or the
textural qualities of the wooden rifle stocks in close-up. The grayscale image is crisp and properly shaded at all times. There are some remnants of
print wear, but it's relatively minor.
The 3D image is spectacular. Of special first note is how cool the movie's menu screen looks. The title not only pops out, it does so with a modest
outward curvature in the middle. Two explosion animations and the "in 3 dimensions" text are both nicely demarcated from the background, too. The
otherwise static open with the
General is very impressively deep. His desk appears to stretch far back before the camera zooms in far enough to remove it from view. The distance
between the him and his background, even his back and the chair in which he sits, are made very obvious in 3D. The sequence not only introduces the
movie, it sets the perfect tone for the 3D goodness to follow.
The movie's opening shot looking down the barrel of a large canon (screenshot directly above) is incredibly impressive. It's a great shot and perhaps
the most
distinctly unique ever seen in 3D, with the elongated barrel protruding from the screen while it's simultaneously easy to look far deep down into it. It's
one of those rare 3D moments for which one just wants to pause the image and absorb its beauty and complexity. A
trench seen at the 10-minute mark is another wonderful 3D shot. Both its length and depth are very obvious, and the space between the crouched,
huddled men in it is clear to see. The image boats impressive depth at various sizes and instances. Whether wide open fields or somewhat more
densely
oriented villages, there's a very clear sense of general space evident throughout the film. Some of the most impressive moments come as the men
stand around before stepping into a minefield. With the characters spaced and staggered just so, a brand new sense of place and perspective opens up
to the viewer (screenshot #1). That said, some of the most impressive 3D images take
place in tents. Take a look at the beginning of chapter two. Characters and the tables and chairs on which they sit are clearly
separated from one another and the back of the tent.
Even little things -- brush out in the field, radio antennas, the little spaces between a shirt sleeve and vest -- are capably defined with wonderful
spacing and shape within the larger environment. In 3D, the picture's grayscale looks marvelous, the image appears meticulously clean, and details are
very crisp
and sharp. By all accounts this is a much more satisfying view than the 2D image. Indeed, the entire movie plays much better in 3D, drawing the
viewer into
the world in a way the 2D image cannot and without feeling at all gimmicky beyond a few fun shots like that one of the canon barrel mentioned earlier,
but even then those fit right into the movie's tone and narrative. This is a wonderful 3D image and a must-enjoy for both 3D and War genre fans.
Cease Fire features a contextually satisfying three-channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. Music finds appropriate width and solid definition throughout the range, whether crisp high notes or more substantial bottom end deliveries, even without the benefit of a subwoofer channel. This holds for artillery fire as well, which has a nice zipping sensation as the shells fly in the distance, and explosions, while not prominent, find just enough heft to satisfy requirements. Dialogue is clear and center positioned, though there are a couple of very minor lip sync issues as well as some shallow lines, such as in a command tent in the 52-minute mark. Atmospheric effects are basic but effective when present as the men march through the countryside.
Cease Fire contains several brief extras.
Cease Fire is a different kind of "authentic" War picture. Rather than depict the gritty, grisly realities of war, the filmmakers in this case have cast real G.I.'s and photographed them recreating their actions on authentic Korean locations. While the film's primary highlight is its 3D construction, it's also well worth watching for the real portrayals of men in war, and despite some stiff line delivery, it's about as truly "authentic" as one is going to find. This release, from Kino and 3-D Film Archive, boasts, as always, exceptional 3D video. 2D video is rather good, too, as is the 3.0 lossless soundtrack. A few brief extras are included as well. Highly recommended.
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