AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on May 21, 2024, 11:57:38 AM
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(https://i.imgur.com/zt6PMaZ.jpeg)
Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Rating: R
Film: 4.5/5
Plot
Chris Kyle’s (Bradley Cooper) mission is to protect his brothers in arms while being a prime target of insurgents. Despite the danger, as well as the toll on his family, at home, Chris serves through four harrowing tours of duty in Iraq, personifying the spirit of SEAL creed to “leave no one behind.” But upon returning to his wife Taya (sienna Miller) and kids, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave behind.
My Thoughts
With 160 confirmed kills, Chris Kyle is the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history, but there’s more to the man than his keen eye and steady hand. Raised in Texas he was given his first rifle at the age of eight and hunted all his life, but his first love was bronco riding—which was his chosen profession until he injured his right arm and was no longer able to compete. He volunteered for the U.S. Navy after the U.S. Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania with the intention of attending SEAL training, the most rigorous training regiments in the world where 80% of the recruits fail—Kyle passed and was assigned to SEAL Team 3, sniper element, and served four tours of duty in the Iraq War.
The video encode is an upconversion for a 2K master, which is a disappointment. It looks very similar to the Blu-ray, with a slight uptick in detail. The flashback sequences to Kyle’s youth in Texas burst with color as he’s hunting with his father and while he’s in theater, you see every bit of dust and grime on the soldier’s uniforms and faces with every minute detail coming to life. While the video is outstanding, it’s the Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core) that’s the hero of the A/V presentation. Directional cues place you right in the middle of war with helicopter flyovers having you dive for cover. In the climactic battle, there’s a sand storm that overcomes the troops and the soundstage is loaded with activity coming at you from all directions. Scenes such as this will be a great selling tool for object-based audio.
Video 4/5
Audio 5/5 (Dolby Atmos)
Special Features:
- One Soldier’s Story: The Journey of American Sniper
- Chirs Kyle: The Man Behind the Legend
- Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy – The Heart of a Hero
- Nave SEALS: In War and Peace
- Bringing the War Home: The Cost of Heroism
- The Making of American Sniper
- Guardian
- UHD + Digital Copy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99k3u9ay1gs&ab_channel=WarnerBros.Pictures (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99k3u9ay1gs)
Conclusion
If I had to sum up the movie in one word it would be powerful. The performances are top notch and Eastwood is at the top of his directorial game. While I wish the studio would have given the film a brand new 4K master, it isn’t as if the 2K upconversion looks bad, it just makes upgrading a little less of an urgency because the Blu-ray looks so darn good.
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Kaleidescape Strato + Server
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
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Seeing as I love this film, I'll probably upgrade my Blu-ray copy when the price is right.
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Thanks for the review, David.
I haven't thought about this movie for a long time, so this is a great reminder to check it out again. Bradly Cooper took me by surprise when watching it, giving the role much more depth than expected.
I'm going to stick with the Blu-ray, though, and hope that maybe they bring out a real 4K transfer in the future. (Likely shortly after Craig buys this release. ;))
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Thanks for the review, David.
I haven't thought about this movie for a long time, so this is a great reminder to check it out again. Bradly Cooper took me by surprise when watching it, giving the role much more depth than expected.
I'm going to stick with the Blu-ray, though, and hope that maybe they bring out a real 4K transfer in the future. (Likely shortly after Craig buys this release. ;))
Exactly!!!
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Great flick!