BLU-RAY REVIEW

End Of Days

Featured In Issue 115, December 2006

Picture4.5
Sound5
WSR Score
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):
27783
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
For intense violence and gore, a strong sex scene, and language
(Retail Price):
$29.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (HD-30)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
123
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
1999
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
09/26/06
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Peter Hyams
(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, Dolby Digital+ 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):

A series of disturbing signs near the approach of the end of the millennium seem to indicate that the End Of Days is near. Former New York City cop Jericho Cane (Schwarzenegger) is assigned to ensure the security of a mysterious stranger (Byrne) who just may turn out to be satan. He's in town looking for a few laughs and someone to bear the anti-christ.

Special features include audio commentary with Director Peter Hyams, a 25-minute Spotlight On Location featurette, nine special effects segments, The Book Of Revelation, soundtrack presentation with Everlast and Rob Zombie, and the theatrical trailer.

The VC-1-encoded 2.32:1 HD DVD exhibits good contrast and shadow delineation, which is necessary for such a dark film. Images are exceptionally detailed and edge enhancement is not a problem. Differences between this and the MPEG-2-encoded D-VHS release are extremely minute, although the HD DVD version seems to have slightly improved dynamic range. (Danny Richelieu)

The lossy Dolby® Digital Plus and lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel encodings are top notch, with well-placed images around the soundfield and fantastic fidelity. They are both improvements over the D-VHS release, but the TrueHD encoding has slightly more refined sonics than the Digital Plus counterpart. The surround channels' encoded levels are back in line with the original DVD release, as opposed to the slightly lower levels found in the D-VHS release. (Danny Richelieu)