Underworld: Awakening 3D (Blu-ray) Official AVSForum Review

The Review at a Glance: (max score: 5 )

Film:

Extras:

Audio/Video total rating:

( Max score: 100 )

92

Studio and Year: Screen Gems - 2012
MPAA Rating: R
Feature running time: 88 minutes
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller

Disc Format: BD-50
Encoding: MVC (MPEG-4)
Video Aspect: 2.40:1
Resolution: 1080p/24


Audio Format(s): English DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio, French DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Charles Dance, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Theo James, Stephen Rea
Directed by: Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein
Music by: Paul Haslinger
Written by: Len Wiseman & John Hlavin
Region Code: A

Blu-ray Disc release Date: May 8, 2012

Film Synopsis:

When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrior Selene leads the battle against humankind.

My Take:

Selene (Kate Beckinsale) is back, and let me tell you, the corset and skin tight black leather still fits. Starting off where 2006s Underworld: Evolution ended, we find Selene escaping from a 12 year cryogenic sleep to a world where the underground society of Vampires and Lycans (werewolf's) have been discovered by the human race and been made all but extinct. She must not only fight the humans looking to kill her and all remaining Vampires, but she must lead a fight against a new breed of "Super-Lycan".

This installment of the franchise is stripped down and lean. Full of all out action, brutal clashes and plenty of Werewolves, Underworld: Awakening is a less than 90 minute roller-coaster ride that sure was enhanced by some of the best 3D I have yet to see. The plot is fairly simple and doesn't delve much into the world and lore created by the first three films in the series, though it does feel like a new beginning to a possible second trilogy. This is a continuation of Selene's storyline where we see how and what she has ended up as, and we see how important she is to the survival of the Vampire race. Fans of the franchise might be a bit angry with its lack of character development and plot, but for me its simplistic story arc worked well as a vehicle for some extreme eye and ear candy. 3D, 7.1 lossless and Kate in tight clothes. Nothing to complain about there.

Parental Guide:

Rated R for strong violence and gore, and for some language.

AUDIO/VIDEO - By The Numbers:
REFERENCE = 92-100 / EXCELLENT = 83-91 / GOOD = 74-82 / AVERAGE = 65-73 / BELOW AVERAGE = under 65

**My audio/video ratings are based upon a comparative made against other high definition media/blu-ray disc.**


(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

Audio: 96

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3D Presentation: 88

(Each rating is worth 4 points with a max of 5 per category)

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Underworld: Awakening comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Home Entertainment featuring 1080p MVC encoded video and lossless DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio sound that has an average bitrate of 2.6 Mbps.

This is one of the most dazzling 3D experiences I have had on Blu-ray. The film is shot mostly in the evening and in dark locals, however, this was never a detriment to discerning what we happening on screen in 3D as well as in fine and shadow details. The depth of field was stunning with objects popping off screen, as well as multi layered foreground to background imaging, all in the same shot. Colors were the standard cold/bluish quality shared with the other Underworld films. Flesh tones seemed properly pale and black levels were nice and inky. I usually have a hard time settling into a 3D flick, but this one was easy and by far one of the best you will see.

The lossless DTS-HD MA soundtrack is in a word, amazing. Dynamic and aggressive with pin-point accuracy, I was wowed by its depth. LFE shook my room with the fierce stomping and growls of the "Super-Lycan" as well as some pretty intense explosions. Surrounds were used in perfect abundance, sucking me right into the on-screen action. As bombastic and unrelenting as it was, it was also quite articulate. Every bit of dialogue, every click and clank, gun shot and footstep, was as clear as day. This is an absolute reference track.

2D Video Quality:

Video: 94

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Underworld: Awakening comes to Blu-ray Disc from Sony Home Entertainment featuring 1080p AVC encoded video that has an average bitrate of 23.8 mbps

The 2D presentation is striking. Black levels are outstanding and really help things pop as most of the on-screen imagery is dark with a cold bluish tone. The fine and shadow details are apparent throughout the gradient of black, and when mixed with the occasional splash of color, make for one of Sony's finest. People complain about the look of Underworld: Awakening's CGI, and its weaknesses are more apparent in the 2D version, as the 3D was a bit more forgiving. However, the score cant and should not reflect the artistry behind the animation, as every detail does stand out here. Flesh-tones are life like whether the cold pale face of a vampire or the warm blooded police with a darker tone. I really cant say enough about this one. This is absolutely reference, and combined with the superb soundtrack and top tier 3D, it is is a winning proposition.

Bonus Features:

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• Filmmakers' Commentary
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• (HD) Previsualization Sequences
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• (HD) Selene Rises
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• (HD) Casting the Future of Underworld
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• (HD) Awakening a Franchise, Building a Brutal New World
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• (HD) Building a Better Lycan
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• (HD) Resuming the Action
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• (HD) Blooper Reel
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• (HD) 3D Trailers: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, MIB III, The Amazing Spiderman, Resident Evil: Retribution
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• 2D Version
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• Ultraviolet Digital Copy

Final Thoughts:

Underworld: Awakening is a decent, but not the best entry in the Underworld franchise. It's fast, lean, full of action and gore, and for better or worse, a little less on plot. Sony delivers a stellar 3D, 2D and lossless 7.1 DTS-HD audio track that is one of the best A/V experiences I have had in my theater. Included is a decent amount of extra features, a digital copy and some cool 3D trailers. This comes as a recommended Blu-ray.

Lee Weber
AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews




Reference Review System:


JVC DLA-X45 3D 1080p 3D High Definition Front Projector
Screen Innovations Solar HD 1.3 120" 2.40:1 CinemaScope Screen
Onkyo PR-SC5508 Pre/Pro
Sunfire Theater Grand 7201 Amplifier
Sony PS3 Slim Blu-ray Player (HDMI Audio/Video)
MK S-150MKII LCR
MK S-150T Tripole Surrounds
MK MX-350MKII Subwoofer
Xpand X104 3D Glasses

Then you should grab this on tuesday as 2D and the sound combine for a score of 95 out of 100. Enjoy!

I only have the 3D/2D, so I don't know. I read what your are referring to and popped mine in. It looks fabulous in 2D here and her black suite is inky jet black against the normal bluish tone that has been a staple in the series. It seems they were complaining of the blue in the black. I didn't perceive that as problematic but an asset as it made blacks like her outfit really pop. I also didn't notice a lack of detail or crush in the blacks. However, I am interested to see if there is a difference in the two encodes.