Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Stalingrad 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

War as entertainment.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 22, 2014

2013's Russian-origins Stalingrad is not to be confused with the vastly superior German film of the same name from several years ago. That film was a decidedly bleak picture, firmly anti-war yet peppered with some exciting action and a fair bit of character depth. This Stalingrad plays more like raw entertainment for entertainment's sake, almost like a glossy, loud, explosive Call of Duty game sprung to life with some random and occasionally borderline incoherent dramatic overlays inserted into the rubble and in between gunfights and explosions. While the film frequently proves a technical marvel -- it's very superficially convincing and gorgeously destructive -- it never does find much of a center, going so far as to bookend the film with modern day tragedy to and add some weight to a project that's largely weightless aside from the tonnage of bombs and bullets that fly around the screen. It works as raw wartime entertainment, but the film never makes much more of a statement beyond "look at me!"

Chandra Nalaar's foot soldiers.

Stalingrad frames its story around the earthquake and tsunami tragedy that struck Japan in 2011. It focuses on five Germans trapped in the rubble and the man who arrives to help save them, a man who claims to be the child of "five fathers" as the film flashes backwards to the city of Stalingrad at the height of the battle with Nazi Germany. The film follows a handful of Russian soldiers who have been in combat for two years and who are now tasked with defending a devastated apartment building inhabited by a young girl named Katya (Mariya Smolnikova). The film also follows, from the other side of the line, a German officer named Kahn (Thomas Kretschmann) who develops feelings for an attractive young Russian girl named Masha (Yanina Studilina).

There's certainly more than enough historical significance within the Battle of Stalingrad, and the more broadly reaching Eastern front war between Russia and Germany, to pack a series of films, let alone one focused on a particular aspect of the battle or group of individuals. Many historians will argue that the war was won and lost on the Russian front, and it's oftentimes a forgotten front, particularly in the West where the Western European theater and, in the United States, the Pacific theater of operations see more play in historical readings and recreations because, well, that's where the Western powers fought. Nevertheless, it was indeed the bloody Eastern front that largely determined the outcome of the war following Hitler's invasion of Russia in June of 1941 in violation of the nations' non-aggression pact, signed nearly two years prior. The battle for Stalingrad (today Volgograd) lacks no historical importance and, as it pertains to cinema, certainly no lack of dynamic story lines and capabilities, notably the juxtaposition of war-ravaged backdrops against war-weary individuals, both attempting to hang on, to retain what's left of man's culture and civilization, on one hand, and his humanity in the other. The best War films speak to ideas greater than death and destruction and physical chaos, using all of those elements to reinforce, not define, its themes.

Stalingrad, however, never really finds a center beyond its action, a purpose beyond the mayhem, a theme beyond a barrage of bullets and bombs. It lacks the dramatic and cultural significance of the best War pictures (All Quiet on the Western Front, Platoon, Saving Private Ryan) and opts instead to tell a fairly scattered story -- one that's shaped on both sides of the battlefield and from the perspectives of both soldiers and civilians -- that's more concerned with slow motion combat and screaming fighters and outer wounds and less the truly deep scars from which the true story of war is told. It's something of a rambling movie, then, one lacking structure and flow -- though one might argue that war itself is just that, long stretches of tedium accented by sudden bursts of adrenaline -- and more concerned with the "entertainment value" of war rather than purposeful storytelling. Indeed, it's a fairly straightforward Action film in its heart, a big, visually epic picture overflowing with bravado and never shy about boasting high end visuals and amped up sound effects to satisfy its audience's core cravings for pure genre fun.

Yet the movie feels frequently far too polished and slick, even considering its gritty setting. It's a special effects extravaganza, featuring very clean and never particularly phony visuals, with its highlights primarily coming from a number of plane crashes and explosions. The film is further defined, in something of a negative way, by its excess use of slow motion photography that is sure to give audiences the sensation that they're not watching a realistic World War II movie but instead some freaky hybrid of World War II meets 300. The combination works in presenting the action scenes in an almost cartoonish frame, lessing their impact but heightening the "excitement" of war. Soldiers unload weapons whilst screaming in slow motion, providing a gross oversimplification of emotion -- even if such scenes are meant to portray man's more animalistic instincts and anger in wartime -- that are even less convincing than older World War II films that practically glorify war or, at least, tone it down considerably for mass consumption.

Stalingrad 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Stalingrad features its 2D transfer on disc one and its 3D transfer on disc two. The 2D image looks fantastic. Though the film is almost completely defined by shades of gray, it holds firm and provides exceptionally well defined details throughout. The rubble and destruction reveal an incredible array of rough, worn textures that maintain a sharpness and natural appearance throughout the film and even at some distance. Military uniforms are beautifully detailed down to the tightest seam and stain. The same may be said of civilian attire. Image clarity is fantastic throughout and there's nary a flaw to be found. Colors, infrequent though they may be, are attractive. Orange rescue worker accents in Japan nicely pop, as do orange and red fireballs in war-torn Stalingrad. Otherwise, there's very little else here. Black levels are deep and true, while flesh tones appear accurate within the film's black-gray tone.

The 3D transfer offers nothing remarkable. The added depth is enjoyable but not breathtaking. There's a fair sense of space within the environment, whether long-distance shots of debris or more intimate shots within the apartment complex or the German headquarters. Characters and environmental details do look a bit more shapely, but the overall 3D effect is borderline negligible when compared to the 2D version. There are no real exciting moments when the action seems to extend beyond the screen, just a little further back into it. Fortunately, the film's dark façade translates well enough in 3D. It never looks appreciably darker in 3D than it does in 2D, which is a common 3D pitfall. Details remain beautifully sharp and well defined, while colors, infrequently appearing as they may be, are bright and accurate.

Stalingrad 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Stalingrad explodes onto Blu-ray with a devastating DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. For viewers who wish to watch in a language other than the native Russian, Sony has provided both French and English options of the same configuration (the French DTS track is replaced with a French Dolby Digital track on the 3D release) that are nearly identical save for the altered dialogue. The track is fun and aggressive. It's full, heavy, and accurate, playing with naturally wide spacing, effortless and oftentimes huge surround support, and an exciting big cinema flair. Whether the gusty winds and chaotic backgrounds in the bookend Japan moments or the hush of destruction in 1940s Russia, the track provides a good bit of environmental flavor to every scene. Listeners will feel pulled into the rubble and terror even when the action dies down and the camera lingers on characters or destroyed city backdrops. The track gains considerable momentum in its action scenes. Airplanes zip through the stage and frequently crash with thunderous bass and energy, sending debris scattering all around the stage. Gunfire erupts with potent volume in every speaker. It hits hard and frequently so in the film's many chaotic gun battles. Dialogue remains grounded in the center and plays with natural tone and volume. This is an exciting track, a reference-grade listen all around.

Stalingrad 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Stalingrad contains only one supplement of note on each disc. A UV Digital Copy code is also included in the case.

Disc One (2D):

• The Making of Stalingrad (SD, 11:34): In this basic overview piece, cast and crew discuss the real-life battle, the cast and the casting process, shooting several scenes, Director Fedor Bondarchuk's work, costumes, the film's physical requirements and stunts, and more. In Russian with English subtitles.
• Previews (HD): Additional Sony titles.

Disc Two (3D):

• Stereoscopic Stalingrad (HD, 5:34): A short but very detailed look at the 3D filmmaking process and how it accentuated and improved the Stalingrad experience. It also examines the making of several key 3D scenes.
• Previews (1080p 3D): Additional Sony titles.

Stalingrad 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Stalingrad provides high entertainment value, but its scattered story, odd yet understandable bookend framing, and poorly structured plot drag the movie down. Audiences looking for an over-the-top, almost cartoonish portrait of a corner of World War II's deadliest battle need look no further, but those craving a bit more in the way of authenticity, story meat, and meaning will walk away terribly disappointed. Sony's Blu-ray 2D/3D combo release of Stalingrad features exceptional 2D video, passably bland 3D video, a tremendous soundtrack, and only one supplement of value for each version. Rent it.