|
|
|
Quantum Apocalypse (Blu-ray)
[Blu-ray]
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - Signature Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Samuel Scott (14th May 2013). |
|
The Film
 ***This is a technical review only. For reviews on the movie from various critics, we recommend visiting HERE.*** As an icy comet races across outer space, USA technicians become frantic as the comet makes an unexpected turn. Destination? Earth. Sudden Panic sets in as the after effects leave radiation and debris lingering, thus the potential to destroy an entire city, or even the entire planet. Mayor, Ben Marshall (Randy Mulkey), is struggling to balance his health issues, career and family life. Now he has far bigger problems to deal with as he notices the sky getting strangely, frighteningly dark. When bizarre formations start appearing there is nothing to do but panic and start figuring out a plan of action. Terry, (Rhett Giles), Ben s autistic brother believes he can help the masters of the scientific world, while son Leo (Stuart Lafferty), seems more interested in charming his new crush Lindsay (Kristen Quintrall). Ben s wife, Lynne (Stephanie Jacobsen) finds their daughter Samantha (Jenna Craig) has not made it to school. Is fear taking over? As Chaos sets in, activities get stranger and scarier. The world begins to see a pattern of natural disasters . Tornadoes sweep through the cities, giant waves are consuming towns and the streets become dark and bare of citizens. Can the most gifted scientists put their genius plan into action and save the world? or is it too late....?
Video
Signature Entertainment present "Quantum Apocalypse" for its UK HD debut using an AVC-MPEG 4 encode, but it is slightly cropped from the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 at 1.78:1. You would think that this SyFy television movie would have a reasonably good picture quality considering the $2.5million budget and having been made only a few years ago in 2010. Like me, you'd have been thinking incorrectly. Now, this is a budget release (I picked it up for £1.60 new including delivery) but that is no excuse to give us what equates to an average dvd quality transfer and passing it off on blu-ray. Some scenes are better than others, but it is often overly grainly, very soft and contrast is all over the place. There is a lack of detail that we've come to expect on blu-ray, especially with close-up facial details. There's some crushing blacks and colours are nowhere near as sharp as they should be. Overall, the disc is of dvd quality. However, one good thing is it hides the budgetry constraints on the CGI a lot better than your typical high definition transfer would.
Audio
Take a look at the front cover on this page. You see that DTS-HD audio logo on the bottom right? It's a horrible mistake on Signature's part as there is no DTS-HD audio to be found on the disc. In fact, the only audio track we have is English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo and as per the transfer, it's rather disappointing. Disaster movies are what 5.1 (or 7.1...or even 10.1) can work exceptionally well with. For example, listen to the DTS audio on the Japanese dvd of Twister - or the the audio on the blu-ray of (the crappy) 2012. Instead, we get next to no seperation, no immersion and a complete lack of oomph that this disc so badly needs. The winds and other adverse weather conditions sound flat and special effects such as the car being thrown, sound absolutely lifeless. At least dialogue is always clear, but a lossless 5.1 track would've done the world of good. No subtitles are included.
Extras
Nothing.
Overall
|
|||||
|