5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.6 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
A young woman discovers her destiny as an heiress of intergalactic nobility and must fight to protect the inhabitants of Earth from an ancient and destructive industry.
Starring: Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, Douglas BoothAdventure | 100% |
Action | 99% |
Sci-Fi | 77% |
Fantasy | 64% |
Romance | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Thai: Dolby Digital 5.1
All Dolby Atmos tracks have a English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) core
English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Estonian, Indonesian, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Thai
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (2 BDs, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
For those who bemoaned the plodding politics of the Star Wars prequels, welcome to a whole new level of noisy, colorful, flashbang zzzzz. For all its CG pomp and genetically spliced circumstance, contract negotiations, inheritance disputes and other tiresome matters of galactic law slow Jupiter Ascending to a crawl. And if Abrasax family melodrama and stock shares don't put you to sleep, the terribly convoluted story, sillier sci-fi flourishes, flat, bemused or indulgent performances (it's always one of the three), frantically shifting tone, and cringe-inducing comedy will make you wish you were. Even a brief foray into Terry Gilliam-inspired bureaucratic insanity (with a fantastic cameo by Gilliam himself) can't save the film from self-infatuation. Had the whole movie embraced such hallucinatory flights of fancy, such frenzied satire and bizarre, carnival-of-the-absurd visuals, Jupiter Ascending might have gotten off the ground. Instead, it's chained to the Wachowskis' delusion that this is mind blowingly original sci-fi rather than a Frankensteinian patchwork of ideas from greater, grander space operas and sci-fi actioners.
What you needn't worry about is Warner's 1080p/AVC-encoded 2D video presentation and MVC-encoded 3D experience, both of which impress. The film's digitally graded palette favors a cross-section of blue hues (much in the same way The Matrix employed dingy greens) but still indulges in operatic splashes of red, purple and gold, without leaning too heavily on the bleak, steel-gray hues that frequent more dour sci-fi spectacles. Contrast is subdued but consistent as well, saturation is lovely, black levels are satisfying (though sometimes muted), and shadow delineation is excellent, without much crush to report. (Nothing too serious anyway.) Detail, meanwhile, is precisely resolved, with crisp, clean edge definition and refined textures. The Wachowskis' worlds are teeming with intricate sets, design work, costuming, prosthetics and more, and there isn't a scratch, scar or scrap of metal, CG or otherwise, that doesn't offer a wealth of subtle touches. Moreover, significant macroblocking, banding, errant noise, aliasing and other issues are nowhere to be found in either presentation, making for two extremely proficient and pristine images.
The 3D experience is about as successful as its 2D counterpart. Jaw-dropping at times, overwhelming at others, the 3D presentation is occasionally hindered by the film's kinetic, breakneck action. An early chase through Chicago after Caine first rescues Jupiter is already confusing in 2D. It's so fast, so chaotic, so explosive, that it's a bit difficult to follow exactly what's happening at all times. It's easy to track the basics of the sequence; just don't try to pin down the specifics. In 3D, though, it's even more confusing, overwhelming with tight shots and quick cuts that aren't conducive to 3D viewing. (I was ready to blame my age, but my son complained about it before I had the chance.) Fortunately, these instances are few and far between. The whole of the 3D presentation is much stronger than its weakest parts. Depth and dimensionality are convincing and absorbing. Planetary systems, alien vistas, cityscapes, space cruisers and other large-scale elements are rendered beautifully, just as actors and other foreground objects really pop against the CG backdrops and practical sets. Viewers whose displays are prone to crosstalk will encounter some ghosting in several establishing shots -- when hundreds of tiny drones, satellites or orbiting objects are on screen, the issue is slightly problematic -- but it isn't a product of the 3D presentation, so it's neither here nor there. Otherwise, there aren't many disappointments to be had. If you're a fan of Jupiter Ascending it won't matter whether you're watching in 2D or 3D. You'll be left breathless.
Jupiter Ascending also features a bombastic Dolby Atmos audio presentation (core Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround); one that engages as often and as aggressively as it invigorates. LFE output is bold and booming, with thunderous engine propulsion, hard-hitting energy blasts, deafening explosions, and enough low-end oomph, oohs and ahs to bring a grin to your face. Not to be outdone, the rear speakers latch onto every element of the varied environments, just as the immersive soundfield grabs hold of ambient effects, acoustic subtleties and other directional sleight of hand to create plenty of whiz-bang battles and awe-inspiring multi-channel magic. Ships sling through the soundscape. Wormholes collapse as cruisers retreat from the destruction. Blasters erupt and energy shields hum as Caine races about, taking down Keeper after Keeper, Hunter after Hunter. Dart fighters dive along skyscrapers and shoot through city streets, riddling buildings with cannon fire. Gas-planet refineries collapse as chain reactions ignite. All the while, dialogue remains clean, intelligible and perfectly prioritized, without falling victim to the noise or too forcefully subduing it. The film's score strikes a wonderful balance with the soundscape as well, never once seeming underwhelming or overbearing. Bottom line: Jupiter Ascending's AV presentation is outstanding.
I so wanted to like Jupiter Ascending. To be able to shake my head at the naysayers, proclaiming it a misunderstood classic. I want to enjoy the Wachowskis' films again. I do. But they're making it so very, very hard, on themselves and their fans. Big ideas and high concepts are great, if you're able to execute those ideas and concepts reliably, which the Wachowskis don't quite seem to have a handle on. Flash and spectacle are being confused for gripping stories and innovative action, and the gray areas in between are being squandered. Maybe next time, says the guy who uttered "maybe next time" after watching Cloud Atlas. I've been waiting for the Wachowskis to fulfill their potential since the first Matrix blew my little then-high school mind and since its sequels left me cold. Maybe next time. Thankfully, Warner's Blu-ray release is an excellent one. Though a bit light on extensive and insightful extras, Jupiter Ascending's video presentation is striking, its 3D experience is terrific, and its Dolby Atmos (core Dolby TrueHD 7.1) audio is an absolute blast. If you're a fan of the film, or have any fondness for it whatsoever, its Blu-ray release will leave you cheering.
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