BLU-RAY REVIEW

Furious Seven

Featured In Issue 200, October 2015

Picture5
Sound5+
WSR Score5
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):
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
61129709
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$$34.99
(Disc Type):
BD-50
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
137/140
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
9/15/2015
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
James Wan
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

In Furious Seven, the team crosses the globe in their most gravity-defying and emotional adventure yet. Targeted by a cold-blooded, black-ops assassin with a score to settle (Statham), their only hope is to get behind the wheel again and secure an ingenious prototype tracking device. Facing their greatest threat yet, in places as far away as Abu Dhabi and as familiar as the Los Angeles streets they call home, the crew must come together once again as a team, and as a family, to protect their own. (Gary Reber)

Both the theatrical version (02:17:26) and the extended version (02:19:54) are available. Special features include four deleted scenes (HD 05:59); the following featurettes: The Cars Of Furious (HD 10:42), Flying Cars (HD 05:42), Tower Jumps (HD 06:53), Inside The Fight (HD 11:03), Back To The Starting Line (HD 12:11), Race Wars (HD 06:34), Snatch And Grab (HD 07:31), and Supercharged Ride (HD 08:15); Talking Fast with Director James Wan and the cast (HD 31:47); the “See You Again” official music video by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth (HD 04:05); upfront previews; BD-Live functionality, and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.40:1 1080p AVC picture is stylized throughout with a strong, saturated color palette that at times really pops. Fleshtones exhibit a warm, yet natural presence. Contrast is excellent with deep, solid blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is also excellent, with fine detail exhibited throughout, especially during close-ups of facial features, hair and beards, clothing, weapons, vehicles, and object texture. Many of the scenes are absolutely spectacular in dimensional scope and intricacy, which makes for a totally engrossing visual experience. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is extremely dynamic, with powerful .1 LFE extension to sub-25 Hz elevating the roar of engines and tail pipes. The fall-out scene from the Air Force cargo plane fills the soundfield with aggressively directionalized sound effects, and once on the ground, the mayhem continues with extreme machine gunfire and car chases and crashes. In the background is an energetic music score that enhances the mayhem and excitement. The orchestral/choral/hip-hop score is well recorded with a wide and deep soundstage that extends aggressively to the surrounds. The score is intense, with strong .1 LFE bass emphasis. That scene alone really makes for a special-effects holosonic® spectacle that engages EVERY channel with full-on dynamics and SPL. The added two channels really heightens the surround energy, making for a powerful dimensional soundfield, supported with pans and discretely positioned sound effects. While dialogue is wanting in spatial integration, it is intelligible and manages to stay above the general mayhem. This soundtrack really exercises an aggressive sound design that projects far into the audience and creates an exciting experience. Atmospherics also enhance the sense of production setting. The sound effects are super and deliver the excitement. This is a super-energetic affair that will test the metal of every home theatre sound system. Destruction abounds with explosive sonics that are rare with such intensity. This is an adrenaline-producing sonic experience that is reference quality. (Gary Reber)