7.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.9 |
'Eight Below' is the thrilling tale of friendship between eight amazing sled dogs and their guide Jerry. Stranded in Antarctica during the most unforgiving winter on the planet, Jerry's beloved sled dogs must learn to survive together until Jerry — who will stop at nothing — rescues them. Driven by unwavering bonds of friendship, enormous belief in one another and tremendous courage, Jerry and the dogs make an incredible journey to reunite in this triumphant and inspiring action-adventure the whole family will treasure.
Starring: Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Jason Biggs, Gerard PlunkettFamily | 100% |
Adventure | 39% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: LPCM 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (448 kbps)
English SDH, French, Spanish
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
What's important is finding that one thing that will truly put your heart at rest.
Leave it to Disney to craft a top-tier feel-good movie. The studio, better known for its rich history
of
animated films and, more recently, its tween-centric pop-star icons and their many on- and
off-stage
exploits, returns to the days of Old
Yeller and Swiss Family Robinson with a live-action picture suitable for the whole
family.
2006's Eight Below is an uplifting adventure, one that is wrought with danger and raw
emotion but also engendering through the trials and tribulations of its characters both human and
canine an unwavering
spirit of honesty, perseverance, and traditional values that, despite its recent vintage, allows it to
fit
right in with similarly-themed family classics of yore. Though the picture does explore some
mature
themes, features a bit of violence, and offers at least one honest-to-goodness jump scare,
Eight Below is a movie that's appropriate for young audiences who, if nothing else, will
come away
from the experience with an idea of the unbreakable bonds of love and friendship and the courage
to
fight for and do what is right, even in the face of the most challenging of odds and desperate of
situations.
Eight in frame.
Eight Below pulls onto Blu-ray with an above-average 1080p, 2.40:1-framed transfer. Though an early release from Disney, this disc yields a good image, one that is nicely detailed, crisp, and enjoyably film-like in texture. The picture is often saturated in shades of white and gray; however, colors can be vibrant at times, particularly as brightly-colored jackets contrast against the many white snow-covered landscapes and gray overcast skies that compose the Antarctic landscape. Additionally, the transfer excels in adding layers of visual realism to the barren landscapes; snow-covered and generally solid-white land and rock formations often enjoy excellent texturing. Snow rarely looks like a massive and undefined white glob, save for some scenes such as one in chapter five during a blowing snowstorm where whiteout conditions and bleak, textureless formations are to be expected. Additionally, the image offers fine detailing on heavy winter clothing -- particularly woven caps and fur collars -- and human faces, whether Paul Walker's slightly scruffy facial hair or Bruce Greenwood's wrinkly mug. Shadow detail is nicely realized and black levels prove deep and true throughout. Skin tones also take on a neutral appearance, influenced sometimes by frigid conditions but remaining as one would expect given the various environmental hardships encountered throughout the film. Disney's print is in fine shape, exhibiting only the odd speckle, and a light coating of grain covers what is a very good, but not quite exceptional, Blu-ray transfer.
Disney provides Eight Below with a high quality PCM 5.1 uncompressed soundtrack. The track consistently incorporates the back channels for both musical support and atmospheric effects. As to the music, this PCM offering delivers each note crisply and with a full presence that makes fine use of the entire soundstage. Whether more subtle notes or amped-up action-oriented pieces, such as that heard in chapter 10, the track presents each segment of the score with a clarity that brings the film to life and draws the listener into the Eight Below experience. The track also implements some environmental atmospherics, and to fine effect. In several scenes, cold winds blow harshly about the listening area and almost seem to bring with them a palpable chill, the effect filling the entire soundstage and making for a very strongly-realized environmental support element. Additionally, several chunks of shifting ice crack and maneuver about each speaker in the configuration, with an added bonus of some potent bass. Dialogue reproduction is crisp and natural throughout, completing a track that's not the most aggressive or natural out there, but one that's certainly a strongly-realized companion to a solid film.
Eight Below gives buyers the cold shoulder, offering but a few scattered extras. Chief among this paltry collection of supplements is an audio commentary track with Director Frank Marshall, Cinematographer Don Burgess (The Book of Eli), and Actor Paul Walker. The track proves steady and well-spoken, with the participants sharing a good chemistry. It's easy, informative, but not too heavy, touching on the challenges of making the film, the work of the animals and the difficulties of riding with the sled dogs, shooting in the frigid locales, the quality of Mark Isham's (The Crazies) score, some nuts-and-bolts technical observations, and much more. Each participant proves affable and happy to be sharing with their listeners the experience of making Eight Below; this is a worthwhile commentary. Also included is Blu-Scape -- 'Ice' (1080p, 5:16), a short film by Louie Schwartzberg, and Movie Showcase (1080p, 2:49), a collection of three scenes from the film that demonstrate the quality of the Blu-ray release.
Eight Below is heartwarming tale of friendship, courage, and survival, of never letting go of all that's most precious in life, namely love and life itself. It's a movie of danger and heroism and of bonds that neither time, distance, nor hardships can break. A family Adventure in the classic Disney spirit, Eight Below is a film suitable for the whole family, even if it does delve into some slightly complex themes that the youngest of viewers may find difficult to grasp. Still, the picture's many positive elements, uplifting messages, fine photography, and first-rate characters both man and animal alike make this one a winner. Disney released Eight Below in the early days of the Blu-ray format, and while the disc lacks a more thorough selection of bonus features, fans will be pleased with the technical presentation. Unfortunately, the disc is currently priced far too high to recommend a purchase, but should it drop below $15 in the future, this would make for an excellent addition to the Blu-ray library. Until then, Eight Below is best enjoyed as a rental.
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