300: The Complete Experience Blu-ray

300: The Complete Experience

 (2006)

Action | Drama | History | War



In 480 B.C. a state of war exists between Persia, led by King Xerxes, and Greece. At the Battle of Thermopylae, Leonidas (Gerard Butler), king of the Greek city state of Sparta, leads his badly outnumbered warriors against the massive Persian army. Though certain death awaits the Spartans, their sacrifice inspires all of Greece to unite against their common enemy. Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) and Lynn Varley.

The Complete Experience Edition: 2 HOURS OF EXCLUSIVE EXTRA CONTENT - Prepare for Blu- ray glory and immerse yourself in the 300 experience as never before possible.

For more details about 300: The Complete Experience on Blu-ray, see the 300: The Complete Experience Blu-ray Review

300: The Complete Experience Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Yes, 300: The Complete Experience recycles the same 1080p/VC-1 transfer that graced Warner's original Blu-ray edition, and yes, Snyder's grizzled, hotly debated grainfield is intact (in all its glorious entirety). But I challenge anyone to explain to me how the studio's impressive, proficient, and exceedingly faithful 2007 presentation is a detriment to this re-release of the film. Most of the complaints I've read about the technical transfer are actually nitpicks about Snyder's directorial intentions and aesthetic decisions. Skewed color saturation, flattened dimensionality, bottomless shadows, and the aforementioned veneer of grain (which I don't personally find distracting) have all been employed for a specific purpose: capturing the painterly tone and stark imagery of Miller's original comic. In fact, taken on its own merits, 300 delivers an impeccable visual extravaganza; a beautiful technical achievement that prioritizes the director's intent above focus groups, hate mail, and DNR apologists. I love a slick and polished picture as much as the next guy, but a slick and polished picture isn't always the shiniest image on the block. Sometimes it comes in the form of a transfer that deftly recreates the theatrical experience without sacrificing the wonders of a high definition upgrade.

Simply put, true fans of 300 are in for a real treat. Larry Fong's amber-rich colors are absolutely stunning: bold reds splash across the screen, deep browns provide a sense of depth even when Snyder restrains it, and startling blues interrupt the proceedings with commanding presence. Contrast is strong and stable, blessing each frame with the stark, rugged qualities of Miller's original artwork. Detail is exceptional as well, imbuing the picture with crisp edges, fierce textures, and relatively revealing delineation. Even the softness that graces the backgrounds has been lovingly reproduced with the utmost care. And the technical image? Artifacting, unintended noise, crush, and aliasing are nowhere to be found, and the presentation is free of any unnecessary post-theatrical tampering. While a slight application of edge enhancement and some faint color banding threatens to disappoint videophiles, both are thankfully kept to a bare minimum.

As it stands, I can't imagine 300 looking much better than it does here. I'm sure some viewers will continue to complain about Snyder's hyper-stylized visuals, hoping for a miraculous studio intervention, but I'm indescribably thrilled with Warner's commitment to the intended look of the film. Despite its supposed "flaws," 300 will always be a high definition disc I trot out to wow my friends and impress my neighbors.

300: The Complete Experience Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Warner pairs its sumptuous video transfer with a fantastic Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track that, superfluous praise aside, is a shocking sucker punch in its own right. Dialogue is crystal clear, weighty, and perfectly prioritized in the busy, oft-times chaotic soundscape. Leonidas' hearty speeches and Dilios' throaty narration are spot on, while the gurgled cries of their Persian victims are wet and wounded. LFE output is powerful, to say the least, injecting charging hordes with imposing presence, thrusting spears with undeniably immediacy, and devastating storms with pounding rain, veracious winds, and roaring waves. Rear speaker activity is just as remarkable, filling battles with fallen foes, toppling creatures, clanging swords, and splattering blood. The film's ultra-violence is immersive enough to make a droog weep. The soundfield surrounds the listener, grabs hold and refuses to let go, leading to a number of top tier scenes and memorable encounters. More importantly, directionality and channel pans are as precise as they come, creating an accurate, indisputably involving sonic experience worthy of more praise than I care to impart. As rare as it may be, I don't have a single complaint.

(Note the previously released 2007 Blu-ray edition of 300 offered two high-end audio options: a TrueHD 5.1 track and an uncompressed PCM 5.1 mix. However, since the actual listening experiences they provided were indiscernible from each other, Warner decided to jettison one for this new release. As a result, The Complete Experience doesn't include the PCM mix.)

300: The Complete Experience Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Today on Blu-ray - July 21st - July 21, 2009


• 300: The Complete Experience Blu-ray Announced - May 12, 2009

300: The Complete Experience Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

Topic

Replies

Last post

» Show more forum threads