BLU-RAY REVIEW

Altitude

Picture4
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):
Anchor Bay Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
BD22191
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Language and a sexual gesture
(Retail Price):
$34.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
90
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
NA
(Theatrical Release):
No
(Direct-To-Video Release):
Yes
(Disc Release Date):
26
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Kaare Andrews
(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):
Dolby TrueHD 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

"Altitude" follows a group of teens on a weekend getaway aboard a small plane that suddenly turns deadly for the rookie pilot (Lowndes) and four young friends. Minutes after the group takes off, an unexplained malfunction sends their small plane climbing out of control, into the heart of a mysterious storm. Unable to get their bearings or contact the ground, the survivors gradually realize they are locked in combat with a terrifying supernatural force. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Kaare Andrews, two featurettes: "Altitude Behind The Scenes" (HD 49:02) and "Green Storm" (SD 10:06), an original concepts gallery, and the trailer.

The 1080p AVC picture is visually challenged, with drab bluish-gray backgrounds and air-bound stormy darkness. The imagery heightens the suspense and terror effectively, especially as the conditions darkend the interior of the plane. The cinematograhy perfectly projects the feeling of claustrophobia. Flestones provide the scant color during the flight scenes in the storm. Blacks are deep and generally well defined, but at times, become crushed and veiled. Shadown delineation is generally good, with dramatic light accents reflecting the stormy conditions. The overall appearance is cinematic and edgy. Flashback scenes are bightly hued and filterd for effect. Resolution is good, with revealing facial and object texture detail. Thiis is an intense visual experience, especially for those who are accustomed to flying and whose trust is put in the charge of the pilot. The visuals become even more intense as the supernatural force engages the plane and panic ensues as the group is challenged to face their fears. The picture succeeds as a terrifying visual experience. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby® TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely produced with an aggressive enveloping soundfield, with plenty of stormy elements that are directionalized throughout. Deep bass is effectively energized in the .1 LFE channels, with at times, startling intensity. The soundfield is constantly bombarded with intense thunderous low frequencies during the storm sequences, which effectively conveys a sense of fear. The music score is subdued but effectively chilling and is effectively engaging across the soundstage and in the surrounds. Also constant is the sound of the plane's propellors outside the aircraft cabin. All this is captured actively, using all the channels in various intensities. Through it all, dialogue remains intelligible and integrated spatially. This is an engaging soundtrack that is absolutely frightful in its sonic portrayal of terror in the air. (Gary Reber)