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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Appaloosa

    Picture5
    SoundNR
    WSR Score3
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    New Line Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    12782
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Some violence and language
    (Retail Price):
    $35.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    115
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    Not Indicated
    (Theatrical Year):
    2008
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    01/13/09
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Ed Harris
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
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    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
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    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby TrueHD 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
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    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
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    Based on the 2005 Western novel by Robert B. Parker, "Appaloosa" follows Marshal Virgil Cole (Harris) and deputy Everett Hitch (Mortensen) as 1880's law-enforcement-for-hire, who are brought into the crime-ridden town of Appaloosa to take back the streets from local murderous rancher outlaws. They find their job complicated and disrupted, and their friendship is tested by the arrival of a young widow (Zellweger). (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary by Director Ed Harris and Screenwriter/Producer Robert Knott; four featurettes: "Bringing The Characters Of Appaloosa To Life" (HD 07:34), Historic Accuracy Of Appaloosa (HD 10:22), "The Town Of Appaloosa" (HD 05:08), and "Dean Semler's Return To The Western" (HD 05:18); and additional footage with commentary by Harris and Knott (HD 12:03).

    The 2.40:1 1080p VC-1 picture quality is perfectly natural looking with warm, rich, fully saturated colors and deep blacks. Facial details and textures are finely resolved, which enhances the realism. Contrast is excellent as well, with superb shadow delineation and refinement. The picture is pristine without noticable noise or other artifacts. Cinematographer Dean Semler, ACS/ASC, has captured a very natural look with excellent dimensionality. This is a wonderfully photographed western that is sure to please fans of this genre (Gary Reber)

    The Dolby® TrueHD 5.-channel soundtrack is disapponting in that the sound designer failed to fully engage the soundfield during numerous scenes. The sound is often far forward sounding with extremely subtle surround envelopment provided by the music. Even in the action scenes, the surrounds are virtually limited to music envelopment, though, heightened in intensity compared to other scenes. Sound and Foley effects often lack the effective spread in the stereo channels and are primarily focused in the center channel. Though during scenes with gusty winds, the stereo spread is effective. Gunshots are perfectly natural sounding, without the unnatural bloated sound normally heard in action movies. Dialogue is often nicely produced, with good spatial integration enhanced with subtle ambiant support in the stereo channels. At other times, though, dialogue is solely heard in the center channel without enhanced spatial support. Occasionally, dialogue is effectively heard off-screen. Bass extension is natural sounding but there are few moments of active LFE intensity. The music score is nicely recorded and effective. This is primarily a conventionally produced, forward-sounding soundtrack. (Gary Reber)

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