Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

The bundle may not feature the greatest 3D release, but Sony's 3D glasses are excellent...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown June 8, 2011

Rather than offer up a review of the film itself, I thought some of you might find it more helpful if I took a closer look at the design and comfort of the 3D glasses included in Sony's exclusive TV-bundle. After all, my colleague already dissected The Voyage of the Dawn Treader at great length, and the movie review I would pen would be strikingly similar to his. (Reading through his critique now, I'm hard pressed to find a point I don't agree with.) But I digress. Sony's bundle offers two pairs of black, rechargeable, adult-sized 3D glasses (TDG-BR200). And having tested a wide array of Samsung, Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba glasses in the last three weeks, I have to say the BR200s are among my favorites. (Bested only by the Samsung SSG-2200ARs, in my opinion.) Of course, the 3D television you choose will dictate which glasses you'll need to purchase, but it never hurts to know you won't be forced to don lackluster glasses while watching your snazzy new TV.

Sony's 3D glasses rest snuggly on the nose, rest gently around the temples, and fit nicely overtop of standard-sized eyeglasses. A concealable recharge-port is located on the right side of the glasses, and a USB cable is included for easy charging. (The cable is much too short for my tastes, but that's hardly a concern.) Weighing in at 2.1 ounces, the BR200s are a bit heavier than most, but lighter than Sony's 2.7-ounce BR100s. The difference between the BR200s and other companies' rechargeable glasses amount to half an ounce, though, and doesn't warrant much concern. Battery life on the BR200s is significantly lower than on the BR100s -- 30 hours on a 30-minute charge, as opposed to 100 hours on an exhaustible battery -- but I personally prefer the convenience of rechargeable glasses to the ongoing cost of batteries. Besides, even if you're in a pinch and your BR200s are completely drained, a quick 3-minute charge provides 3 hours of power; plenty of juice for tackling a single movie.

Why do Samsung's glasses rank a tad higher in my book? Other than Samsung SSG-2200AR's 1.5-ounce feathery weight? The Sony BR200s are more narrow than the Samsung models, meaning cinephiles with wider heads may wince when they hear the creak of the BR200s' hinges. On that note, the BR200 hinges aren't as sturdy or as forgiving as other glasses I've tested, and it wouldn't be too hard for a fellow with a beefy skull to accidentally break either of the BR200's temple arms. Even so, the Sony glasses have a few advantages of their own. As small a point as it may seem, flexible rubber nose pads make the BR200s incredibly comfortable, and the curve of the lens rest effortlessly along the upper cheeks. It takes more time to adjust to the feel of other glasses -- specifically some of the Sharp and Toshiba models I've tested -- and it's all-too-easy to forget you're wearing a pair of BR200s when a movie hits its stride. Suffice it to say, those who purchase a Sony 3D TV won't have to worry about the quality of their eyewear. Some extra care may be required when slipping them on and off, but the glasses' comfort, convenience and simple functionality make them a safe bet.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Before I dive into the nit and grit of Fox's 1080p/MPEG-4 MVC-encoded 3D presentation, it's probably best to clear up a few things about the image itself. First and foremost, the fact that the film is presented at 1.78:1 will give some Narnia fans pause since Dawn Treader was shown at 2.39:1 in theaters. Rest assured though, no cropping has occurred. The film was initially shot in 1.78:1, printed in Scope at 2.39:1 for its 35mm theatrical presentation, and then returned to its original state for its subsequent 2D (and now 3D) Blu-ray release. Second, there has been some confusion surrounding the color palette featured in the film's trailers and TV spots. But the sun-bleached appearance of the high definition transfer represents director Michael Apted's intentions. In other words, don't be alarmed by how washed out colors appear. There's no need to adjust your display. Take a look at the following two screenshots, here and here. The first was taken from the 1.78:1 Blu-ray presentation, the second from Dawn Treader's richly saturated 2.35:1 trailer. Notice no portion of the 2.35:1 image has been lost in its 1.78:1 counterpart. Also notice the dramatic differences between the color palettes. It's easy to see where all of the confusion stems from.

With that out of the way, on to the goods. While The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian were filmed on Super-35mm, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was shot using Sony CineAlta high definition digital cameras. Be that as it may, Dawn Treader wasn't shot in native 3D. Instead, a full 1500-shot, View-D post conversion was performed by Prime Focus, the company currently working on the 3D conversion of The Phantom Menace. I have to admit, I was surprised. Apted and cinematographer Dante Spinotti's cameras float, twirl, leap and orbit around Narnia's fantasy-scapes and the Dawn Treader so deliberately that I mistakenly assumed the film was shot in native 3D. Its showcase scenes are so gimmicky -- so Look Ma, 3D! -- that a conversion never crossed my mind. And the illusion only becomes more immersive as Fox's MVC-encoded transfer clips along. Some minor cross-talk haunts the image and depth isn't as impressive as it might be were the picture more vibrant, but the bulk of the 3D presentation effectively draws viewers into the seas, gardens and forests of Narnia. Best of all, detail is satisfying (barring some muddy shots that sully the proceedings), there aren't any significant digital anomalies to be found and, for better or worse, color, contrast and clarity reflect the filmmakers' intentions.

Rumors of Apted's dissatisfaction with the conversion process have also been exaggerated. As the director clarifies it: I suppose it might have been more interesting to have actually shot it in 3D. I know it's a very, very slow process and when you're working with kids and teenagers you don't have many hours with them each day, so you have to take the time for 3D to do it. But, you know, I wasn't unhappy about it at all when it was decided to convert it, because I just thought, "Well, here's another challenge. Here's something I've never done before. It'll be interesting to see how it works out."

The presentation does have its fair share of shortcomings though, even if the vast majority of the issues that crop up are attributable to the film's source, not Fox's video transfer. Black levels range from muted to overexposed to inky, contrast isn't entirely consistent or commanding, and several scenes have been scrubbed in post. Granted, fine textures haven't been terribly affected, but evidence of slight digital manipulation is apparent nonetheless. Apted's cameras and budgetary constraints also take a toll, painting C.S. Lewis' high fantasy in glossy, digital-video hues that, frankly, are at odds with the tone of the tale. It doesn't help that the depth achieved by the 3D encode is occasionally undermined by the inherent flatness of the film's palette and photography. That said, it's difficult to complain about a 3D image that remains true to its filmmakers' vision. I have a feeling Dawn Treader fans -- at least those who aren't frightened away by the words "post conversion" -- will be suitably pleased with the results.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Dawn Treader's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track is, without a doubt, the high point of Fox's 3D disc. Where the video transfer is flat and colorless, the lossless audio mix is full and energetic; where primaries fail and black levels buckle, the LFE channel and rear speakers rise to the occasion. It's thrilling, honestly. Dialogue pierces the soundscape with clarity and precision, directional effects are aggressive and persuasive enough to give listeners a sore neck, fire and magic weave and whisper from speaker to speaker, and the weighty whump whump of dragon wings and Treader sails hang heavy over the surging seas. Dynamics are energizing, capturing everything from the pitter patter of a tiny swordsman's feet to the sandy crish crosh beneath Aslan's paws to the roar of an ocean erupting inside of a child's bedroom. Through it all, ambience is persistent and engulfing, the film's atmosphere billows naturally, Apted's more fantastical flourishes are given complete run of the soundfield, and David Arnold's score dances in the midst of it all, surging and relenting with grace and ease. A few lines of dialogue are a tad tinny, but it rarely, if ever, detracts from the overall experience.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

No special features are included on the Sony-exclusive 3D Blu-ray version of The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As 3D Blu-ray releases go, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader boasts fairly convincing depth, albeit in a flat, digital image. The encode itself is certainly sound, but the film -- bright and bleached as it is -- just doesn't lend itself to a dazzling 3D presentation. And without any special features, Fox's DTS-HD Master Audio surround track is as good as it gets. Thankfully, Sony's TDG-BR200s are comfortable, high-quality 3D glasses. Your choice of television may dictate the glasses you wear, but you could do much, much worse than the BR200s, one of the better pairs of 3D glasses available.