U-571 Blu-ray

U-571

 (2000)

Action | Drama | War



A U.S. Navy Captain and his crew are just beginning to enjoy 48 hours of leave when they receive word to immediately return to duty. On a top-secret assignment, they must disguise themselves as Nazis and infiltrate a severely damaged Nazi U-boat. Once on board, they are to steal the Nazi's top-secret decoding device and sink the sub before the Germans catch on to what's really happening. Their mission is more dangerous and frightening than anything they could have ever imagined, but one which has the power to turn the tide of battle.

For more details about U-571 on Blu-ray, see the U-571 Blu-ray Review

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, Jon Bon Jovi, Jake Weber
Director: Jonathan Mostow

U-571 Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Universal's 1080p, 2.35:1 high definition transfer of U-571 is a spectacular one that is only overshadowed by the awe-inspiring soundtrack, which we'll get to in a moment. This is a solid, natural, film-like transfer that exhibits fine detail across the board. Look at the scene in chapter three as we see the crews working on the submarine in port at night. The water has a very pleasing, lifelike look to it, the detail of a torpedo we see being taken to the ship displays a nice texture and the dents and dings on it make it look strikingly real, and even the sparks flying from the welding are bright and clear, playing nicely in stark contrast to the darkness around them. The wear and tear on the interior of the subs, the joints that hold it together, the look of the steel welds, and the rust that shows up on occasion, all look absolutely amazing. Rarely do we see so much rich, wonderful detail as we do on this disc. Likewise, faces and clothing show pleasing detail. The various leather jackets worn in the movie are particularly impressive. The whites of the Naval dress uniforms are a crisp, lifelike white, black levels are spot-on, flesh tones are accurate, and color reproduction, even if much of the movie is of a gray tint, is fabulous. Daytime, exterior shots outside the sub with the rich blue water off to the sides are simply stunning. The image appears three-dimensional and vibrant, and it is a wonderful thing to behold. A touch of film grain is visible over the transfer, and there are some moments that aren't as sharp as the rest, perhaps the only visible downfall to be found on the disc. U-571 is a handsome-looking disc, offering an eye-popping and highly detailed transfer that is sure to please.

U-571 Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Universal once again hits a soundtrack out of the park (I wanted to say blows it out of the water, but I believe that has a different meaning) with this awesome DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless mix accompanying U-571. This is a spacious, immersive, and high quality soundtrack that proves most exciting and is definitely demonstration-worthy from start to finish. It's not just the major, front-focused explosions and gunshots that make the track exciting. It's the many nuances found throughout that bring it to life, crossing the line from loud and fun to natural and engrossing. The subtle yet palpable sound of the creeks of subs and the pressure of the water against the hull, the sometimes whisper-quiet chatter of crew in the background, the sonar pings, and the like all make for a fascinating listen. The track's fine quality is palpable from the very first moments of the movie. Everything is well-proportioned with fine directionality and imaging. Sounds are impeccably placed, from soft atmospherics to the hardest-hitting action sequences. Listen in chapter one to the depth charges going off in the distance from inside the sub. As they get closer, the tension mounts, and in between in the dead silence of the sub as the crew listens, we hear the occasional drip of water all around the soundstage. An explosion in chapter nine and a depth charge attack in chapter 15 will literally rock your entire room, and whether it's overplayed or not, it's a powerful sonic moment sure to please. Surround activity, of course, is high, evidenced by both atmospherics and unrelenting action and music. It's not just generic, "grab your attention" style sounds, either. They're loud but natural, and create an exhilarating soundstage that combined with heavy, clear bass and excellent fidelity, make this soundtrack a home theater system seller. There are far too many truly awesome moments to mention, but nearly every second of the movie brings audiences something good to listen to, and U-571 proves to be one of the best soundtracks on Blu-ray today, hands down.

U-571 Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Today on Blu-ray - August 26th - August 26, 2008


• Universal Announces a Trio of Action Titles - June 16, 2008

U-571 Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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