6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In 2525, as mankind has begun to colonise space, a group of cadets are training to fight against human insurrectionists. One of these cadets, Thomas Lasky, has doubts about his abilities as a soldier and his convictions for this war. Whilst he struggles with himself, the planet is invaded by an unknown alien race. Reeling under the assault, Lasky and his squad mates are rescued by John-117, one of the UNSC's legendary SPARTAN-II super-soldiers. John must inspire Lasky to fulfill his potential as a soldier and a leader to fight against an enemy deadlier than any that humanity has faced before.
Starring: Anna Popplewell, Osric Chau, Daniel Cudmore, Ayelet Zurer, Thom GreenAction | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 73% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (192 kbps)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Once upon a time, in November of 2001, a little game called Halo: Combat Evolved single handedly put the original Xbox on the map, ungodly "fatty" controller and all. Without Combat Evolved, the distinct identity and unparalleled push it gave the fledgling Microsoft console, and the hugely successful series sequel that followed in 2004, it's quite possible the Xbox would have gone gently into the night. No Xbox 360, no Halo 3, no Halo Wars, no Halo 3: ODST, no Halo: Reach. No midnight release parties, or late night killtaculars. No tie-in novels, comics, art books, T-shirts, Red vs. Blue shorts, Megablok sets or action figures. No expanded Halo universe. No promise of a live-action movie, and no tantalizing glimpse at what a live-action movie could be. Which is exactly what 343 Industries $10 million Machinima Prime web series, Forward Unto Dawn, is. More than a loose Halo 4 prequel, Dawn plays like a 91-minute pitch reel, and a persuasive one at that. It also showcases the rich, character-driven outer rim of the Halo universe, and makes a strong case that the series mythos -- not just the combat -- has evolved beyond one Spartan super soldier and his rampancy-afflicted AI construct.
Anderson Merchandise's second Blu-ray release drops planetside with an excellent 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode that struggles with just one flaw: mild to moderate banding. Though most likely inherent to the web series' high definition source, it does prove distracting from time to time, particularly when the Chief flips on his helmet lights in the scenes following his rescue of Lasky and the other cadets. Thankfully, it isn't all that unsightly, nor pervasive, and never becomes so much of an issue that it spoils the proceedings. Otherwise, Forward Unto Dawn's presentation is quite good. For the better part of three episodes, colors are primarily subdued, aged or militaristic, with warm earthtones and glowing viewscreens providing the bulk of the palette's punch. Once the Covenant arrive, though, primaries ignite, the pink flash of Needler spikes and the green energy of Hunter cannons light up the screen, and shadows become more ominous and frightening. All the while, detail remains refined and revealing, with clean edges, well-resolved fine textures, rewarding closeups and decent delineation. The CG aliens don't stick out like a sore thumb either, and most of the visual effects are decidedly high caliber. Moreover, significant macroblocking, errant noise, aliasing and other troubling anomalies aren't at play, and the few enemies that sneak through trace back to the source. Ultimately, Forward Unto Dawn's Blu-ray release is the only way to watch the web series. So get to it, soldier. That's an order.
Dawn's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is even better, delivering the sort of absorbing 360° experience I'd expect from a summer blockbuster with ten times the budget. It isn't faultless, mind you. There are a few minor mixing issues, some prioritization oversights and a handful of other small mishaps. But considering its $10 million price tag, I expected much, much less. LFE output is strong and scrappy, leaping headlong into whatever fray Master Chief, Lasky and the cadets find themselves in with convincing weight, notable power and enviable oomph. Flyovers resonate, explosions roar, gunfire kicks, plasma blasts erupt, towers rumble as they collapse, and ground assaults are backed by unsung reinforcements. The rear speakers don't sit the battle out either, latching onto every weapon discharge, distant cry for help, ambient effect, alarm, spray of water, whizzing sniper shot and splintering needle the soundscape has on tap. Directionality is a tad imprecise but effective all the same, cross-channel pans are smooth, dynamics are commendable and Nathan Lanier's driving score fills out the soundfield nicely. And dialogue? Aside from the aforementioned prioritization hiccups (which are few and far between), voices are clean, clear and fully capable. Even when the chaos of the Covenant attack threatens to overtake the cowering cadets' whispers, each word fights through, demanding to be heard. It isn't perfect, but it comes much closer than I anticipated. For a web series mix, it doesn't get much better than this.
I'm knee deep in Halo 4's multiplayer mode, working my way toward the bonus Specializations that came with my Limited Edition copy of the game. I've already defeated the Campaign, solo on Legendary. I've completed every Spartan Ops mission thus far, again on Legendary. And I'm quickly running out of things to do. I don't say all of that to boast -- I'm sure many of you are even farther along -- but to clue you into just how addicted to the Halo universe I am. In many ways, that makes Forward Unto Dawn a more satisfying film, as fans will definitely get more out of its five-episode arc than relative newcomers. In some ways, it makes me more critical of its mistakes and shortcomings. On the whole, though, Dawn ups the ante again and again, and in the end puts most feature film videogame adaptations to shame. Anderson Merchandise's Blu-ray release is even more rewarding, thanks to an excellent video transfer, an enveloping DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track and more than six hours of prime special features. I don't know about you, but I couldn't ask for much more. Don't hesitate. Take the shot.
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