5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 3.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Stalingrad has become hell and paradise for those who were worthy of awards, but the only reward they managed to get was love. How they won, and how they were not defeated, who they were and who was on the other side of the street, what secret they have taken away with them - the movie will tell this story.
Starring: Mariya Smolnikova, Yanina Studilina, Pyotr Fyodorov, Thomas Kretschmann, Sergey Bondarchuk (II)Action | 100% |
War | 34% |
Foreign | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 MVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.43:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Russian: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
With portions of German. French DTS-HD MA on 2D only
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
Blu-ray 3D
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
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 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 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 contains only one supplement of note on each disc. A UV Digital Copy code is also included in the case.
Disc One (2D):
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.
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