7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
On February 1, 2009, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the first franchise in NFL history to win their sixth Super Bowl. The title was the Steelers second in four seasons. It was the first under second-year head coach Mike Tomlin. Led by a defense that ranked first in yards allowed per game (237.2), passing yards allowed per game (156.9), points allowed per game (13.9) and second in rushing yards allowed per game (80.3), the Steelers finished the regular season 12-4 to win the AFC North Division title. After defeating San Diego and Baltimore in the AFC playoffs, Pittsburgh culminated its championship run with a victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Relive all the thrilling moments of the 2008 Steelers, from Opening Day right through Super Bowl XLIII. NFL Films tells their story with action highlights and exclusive sideline and locker room sound from Pittsburgh’s record-setting season. Blu-ray bonus content includes, HD Gamecast – 4TH Quarter of 2008 Week 14 vs. Cowboys: Just as it sounds, the Fox broadcast of the 4th quarter is presented in HD without commercial interruption.
Sport | 100% |
Documentary | 51% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH
25GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Pittsburgh's goin' to the Super Bowl!
With the 2009 NFL season looming on the horizon, it seems an opportune time to look
forward to what's in store for gridiron fans in the coming months and, just as importantly, reflect
on
the year that was for the Super Bowl XLIII Champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 2009
season promises to be one of the most intriguing in years. Will Brett Favre lead his purple-clad
Minnesota clan deep into the playoffs, or will his bum shoulder and aging legs keep the Vikings
from
contention in a weak NFC North? Will the Dallas Cowboys and a Jessica Simpson-free Tony
Rom(e)o
return to postseason play? Will the real Miami Dolphins (1-15 in 2007, 11-5 in 2008) please
stand
up? Can the Detroit Lions win a game? Will the off-season quarterback switch-a-roo (Jay Cutler
to
Chicago, Kyle Orton to Denver) push da Bears and the Broncos back into postseason contention?
Will the
dynamic trio of Michael Vick, Donavan McNabb, and Michael Westbrook prove too much
athleticism
for opposing NFC defenses to handle? Will Tom Brady's return from a season-ending injury in
2008's week one propel the former champs back to glory? And last but not least, can the
Pittsburgh Steelers repeat as Super
Bowl Champions?
'The Catch' v. 2.0.
Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers rushes onto Blu-ray with a passable 1080i, 1.78:1-framed transfer. Considering the source material and 1080i presentation, a collection of mediocre visuals is what's expected, and that's exactly what the disc delivers. It's hard to find fault with what's available here; much of the footage is unrehearsed, captured in the moment, and shot for the purpose of a television broadcast, not to be presented on huge screens at the local multiplex. With that in mind, the transfer does have its moments where one almost forgets that this is HD television material. The footage from Steelers training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, sparkles, looking pristine, clear, and colorful; the team's yellow practice jerseys in particular stand out nicely. Some fine details are evident here and there, and several look good enough to merit attention, particularly some of the shots of the green turf and the painted lines and logos that adorn it; several times it seems viewers could conceivably count each blade of grass. Obviously, there are some issues throughout. There's really no sense in examining the smattering of standard-definition footage that pops up here and there, but even the 1080i elements sometimes showcase soft focus, aliasing, and some jagged lines, but on the whole the release grades out as "satisfactory" when considering the source.
Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers steamrolls onto Blu-ray with a passable Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. There's really little to say about this one. The main attraction is the late, great Harry Kalas, legendary voice of the Philadelphia Phillies and, as it pertains to this release, NFL Films since replacing John Facenda in 1984. Kalas' voice is strong, a bit bass-y but soothing and familiar, an "old friend" sort of voice that's balanced, excited, and confident. Though a lossy presentation, his voiceover work here sounds great, and it's hard to imagine him sounding any better save for a face-to-face chat or being privy to a recording session at the studio. Otherwise, sound effects play primarily across the front; whether cheering crowds or the smacking of shoulder pads, most effects don't pack much of a punch but are discernible one from the other. Maybe the best non-Kalas moment comes when fighters fly over Raymond James Stadium; the effect creates the sensation of the jets screaming from one side of the soundstage to the other. Just don't expect something that rivals a big-budget Action film. Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers' soundtrack gets the job done, and for a title like this, it's hard to ask for much more.
Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers contains several special features. HD Gamecast -- 4th Quarter of 2008 Week 14 vs. Cowboys (1080i, 19:57) is a commercial-free and edited for-time re-airing of the FOX HD broadcast of the game that sees the Steelers come back from a 10-point deficit to win the game. Post Game Highlights (480p, 7:38) features the Lombardi Trophy presentation to the 2009 Super Bowl champs. Also included are several interview/profile segments featuring several of the team's stars and coaches: Running Back Willie Parker (480p, 4:11), Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (480p, 4:00), Head Coach Mike Tomlin (480p, 2:52), and Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau (480p, 5:05). Steelers Nation (480p, 5:09) looks at the blue-collar mentality of both the team and its fans and the franchise's appeal in the city, the country, and around the world. Finally, Steelers Defense (480p, 3:50) looks at what makes a Pittsburgh team a true winner: suffocating defense.
Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers does a fine job of briefly chronicling the Steelers' 2008 Super Bowl season, offering highlights of each regular season game and delving a bit deeper into the post-season contests. It's a solid NFL Films production: well-crafted, exciting, and an emotional ride for Steelers fans, even after the fact. The piece documents an important slice of sports history; the Steelers have won sport's biggest game an unprecedented six times, and there's no reason not to think that there'll be another Steelers Super Bowl XLIV title next spring. Warner's Blu-ray presentation isn't a show-stopper, but it serves the material just fine. Featuring a suitably good video presentation, an adequate 5.1 lossy soundtrack, and a few decent extras, Super Bowl XLIII Champions: Pittsburgh Steelers earns a recommendation, and the title is a must-buy for Steeler Nation.
Deluxe Limited Edition
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40th Anniversary Edition | The Dragon and the Cobra | Fist of Fear
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