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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Phantom

    Featured In Issue 180, October 2013

    Picture4.5
    Sound5
    WSR Score4
    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):
    20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    2287645
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Violence
    (Retail Price):
    $29.99
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    99
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    2013
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    06/25/13
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Todd Robinson
    (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):
    DTS HD Lossless 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):

    Phantom takes place at the height of the cold war. The world holds its breath when a Soviet submarine armed with nuclear missiles goes missing in the Pacific. Onboard the vessel, the battle-tested captain (Harris) and a rogue KGB agent (Duchovny) are waging a life-and-death game of cat and mouse. With enemy forces closing in and time running out, the captain fights to keep control, with nuclear Armageddon hanging in the balance. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary by Todd Robinson and Ed Harris; three featurettes: Facing The Apocalypse (HD 12:58), The Real Phantom (HD 06:03), and Jeff Rona: Scoring The Phantom (HD 03:00); An Ocean Away music video (HD 02:54); upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

    The 2.36:1 1080p AVC picture is nicely presented with a pristine digital presence. The Red Epic camera system is free of grain, and as a result the imagery is impressive. Resolution is outstanding, with fine detail exhibited throughout, especially visible in the actors' faces and uniforms. The cinematography is accomplished in conveying the feeling of the claustrophobic spatial relationships between crewmen and boat. The exterior imagery of the submarine in deep water is dramatic. The color palette is naturally hued throughout with realistic and warmly toned hues. Contrast is well balanced, with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation, especially during exterior submarine shots. This is a superb visual experience that should be experienced in a darkened or black room for optimal appreciation. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is terrific, with an almost constant surround presence that sonically depicts the nuanced sounds of a diesel-powered submarine deep in the dark South Pacific. The deep, resonant sound effects are often eerie and always effective, especially when boosted with sub-25 Hz .1 LFE energy. Atmospherics consist of machine noises and steam-sprays, as well as dive gurgles. Sonar bings are realistic. Surround directionalization is excellent, with constant spatial dimensionality. The music score is well recorded and provides a subtle but tense backdrop. Dialogue is generally well integrated spatially and effectively balanced with the other sonics. This is a an effective sonic experience that delivers a dramatic sense of suspense and realism. (Gary Reber)

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