My take: Defiance

HD Goofnut · 06-04-2009, 08:39 PM

Title: Defiance
BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc
Video: 1080p/AVC MPEG-4
Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD
Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1
Subtitles: English, French, and Spanish
Run time: 137 minutes
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Rating: R

My take: (the breakdown)

Defiance is one of those films where you appreciate the historical accuracy of the production itself once you have watched it. The story centers around a family of brothers (the Bielski family) and their attempt to keep hundreds of Jews safe from the German SS during 1941. The story is set in Belorussia and everything is right on the money considering historical accuracy. The weapons are correct: everything from the Walther P38, MP40, the K98 Mauser, and the Mosin Nagant. There are also four languages spoken during this movie in different places: Russian, Polish, English, and German, but of course the English is just for us American movie goers. Anyway, it is an excellent movie and I highly recommend this for at least a rental and even a purchase.

The video quality is top notch. Most of the movie takes place in the Fall and Winter of 1941 in a forest so you can imagine that the color palette is rather drab. However, the whites of snow, rosiness of flesh, and gray of coats are extremely clear and detailed. There are a few night scenes and they are really sharp looking, containing very little grain and no noise that I noticed. There is also absolutely no edge enhancement, macro blocking, or artifacts of any kind. This is definitely an excellent high def transfer from Paramount.

The audio quality does not disappoint either on this TrueHD track. Dialogue is clear and understandable and whispers are quite clear in the mix. There are few actions scenes that really light up the surrounds and your sub. However, please keep in mind that 80% of this movie is dialogue driven because it is mainly a drama.

I didn't get a chance to dive into the supplemental package, but it contains your standard making of features and commentaries.

Movie: 8/10
VQ: 9.5/10
AQ: 9.5/10
Supplements: 5/10
Final word: Worth buying

As always thanks for reading folks.

gossamer · 06-05-2009, 07:47 AM

Yep, the palette was pretty muted in the theater as well. Story was good, albeit depressing. And the acting was fine, just could not buy into Craig and Schreiber being related much less brothers.

From what I remember, the facts at the end were pretty astonishing. Worth a rental only IMO. Thanks for the review.

Nikopol · 06-05-2009, 10:26 AM

Thanks for the review. I wasn't sure if i wanted to watch it, but after reading your review i will. Was afraid it might be a stupid and manipulative piece of "entertainment", but it sounds like it doesn't go down that path.

HD Goofnut · 06-05-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikopol

Thanks for the review. I wasn't sure if i wanted to watch it, but after reading your review i will. Was afraid it might be a stupid and manipulative piece of "entertainment", but it sounds like it doesn't go down that path.

It's an excellent piece of work. I didn't much about the Bielskis, but I am glad I know something of their efforts now. They saved over 1200 Jews during WWII.

Stew4HD · 06-05-2009, 11:14 AM

Thanks for the review, Goof. I blind bought/pre-ordered this one and received it the other day.. I plan on watching it this weekend.. after I finish Weeds; Season 4

OCgamer · 06-11-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

It's an excellent piece of work. I didn't much about the Bielskis, but I am glad I know something of their efforts now. They saved over 1200 Jews during WWII.

So many stories about WWII I wonder why this one got made into a movie it was rather boring for me. The story about the resistance killing reinhardt heydrich was a better story. This one is like a failed love story out in the woods? Even the ending which featured so much in the previews (the large tank battle at the end) was poor. I was disappointed with the technical advisors messing up with the cook fires and the rather large encampments which would have been detected early by the luftwaffe and roving patrols. Ah maybe I demand too much from a war movie made in Hollywood.

HD Goofnut · 06-11-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCgamer

So many stories about WWII I wonder why this one got made into a movie it was rather boring for me. The story about the resistance killing reinhardt heydrich was a better story. This one is like a failed love story out in the woods? Even the ending which featured so much in the previews (the large tank battle at the end) was poor. I was disappointed with the technical advisors messing up with the cook fires and the rather large encampments which would have been detected early by the luftwaffe and roving patrols. Ah maybe I demand too much from a war movie made in Hollywood.

To each their own, but I still think it warrants at least a rental.

mytime · 06-11-2009, 10:34 PM

Rented this one. I enjoyed it but will not buy.

Bravestime · 06-12-2009, 02:00 AM

Thanks Goofnut. I also blind bought this and glad to see your positive review on it. Have not yet seen it, but now looking really forward to watching it. This also gives me a better feeling about my blind buy.

HD Goofnut · 06-12-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bravestime

Thanks Goofnut. I also blind bought this and glad to see your positive review on it. Have not yet seen it, but now looking really forward to watching it. This also gives me a better feeling about my blind buy.

You're welcome Braves. I also wanted to buy it after renting it, but I can't find it remotely cheap anywhere. Best Buy wants $29.99, Wal-Mart $27.00 and Amazon $25.99. I guess I'll have to wait.

OCgamer · 06-13-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mytime

Rented this one. I enjoyed it but will not buy.

yeah thats my take, im too much a WWII purest and this movie didnt even get close to the bitter fight behind the lines with the brave partisans who fought behind the lines for years.

HD Goofnut · 06-13-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCgamer

yeah thats my take, im too much a WWII purest and this movie didnt even get close to the bitter fight behind the lines with the brave partisans who fought behind the lines for years.

That's why it's called a movie and not a documentary.

Bravestime · 06-28-2009, 10:48 PM

Wife and I viewed it last night. Wife and I throughly enjoyed the movie. For a blind buy, I got my money worth. Amazing story.

**kamspy** · 06-29-2009, 03:48 PM

Zus is the man.

OCgamer · 07-02-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

That's why it's called a movie and not a documentary.

I disagree a good movie can tell a compelling story before it becomes a documentary.

Case in point "black hawk down"

06-04-2009, 08:39 PM	#1
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,858	My take: Defiance Title: Defiance BD-50 Dual-Layer Disc Video: 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 Audio: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Aspect Ratio: 1:85:1 Subtitles: English, French, and Spanish Run time: 137 minutes Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment Rating: R My take: (the breakdown) Defiance is one of those films where you appreciate the historical accuracy of the production itself once you have watched it. The story centers around a family of brothers (the Bielski family) and their attempt to keep hundreds of Jews safe from the German SS during 1941. The story is set in Belorussia and everything is right on the money considering historical accuracy. The weapons are correct: everything from the Walther P38, MP40, the K98 Mauser, and the Mosin Nagant. There are also four languages spoken during this movie in different places: Russian, Polish, English, and German, but of course the English is just for us American movie goers. Anyway, it is an excellent movie and I highly recommend this for at least a rental and even a purchase. The video quality is top notch. Most of the movie takes place in the Fall and Winter of 1941 in a forest so you can imagine that the color palette is rather drab. However, the whites of snow, rosiness of flesh, and gray of coats are extremely clear and detailed. There are a few night scenes and they are really sharp looking, containing very little grain and no noise that I noticed. There is also absolutely no edge enhancement, macro blocking, or artifacts of any kind. This is definitely an excellent high def transfer from Paramount. The audio quality does not disappoint either on this TrueHD track. Dialogue is clear and understandable and whispers are quite clear in the mix. There are few actions scenes that really light up the surrounds and your sub. However, please keep in mind that 80% of this movie is dialogue driven because it is mainly a drama. I didn't get a chance to dive into the supplemental package, but it contains your standard making of features and commentaries. Movie: 8/10 VQ: 9.5/10 AQ: 9.5/10 Supplements: 5/10 Final word: Worth buying As always thanks for reading folks. __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (With Netflix Streaming!) 156~206~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *The Day the Earth Stood Still*

06-05-2009, 07:47 AM	#2
gossamer 50 is the new 42 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Da Boogie-down Bronx Posts: 538	Yep, the palette was pretty muted in the theater as well. Story was good, albeit depressing. And the acting was fine, just could not buy into Craig and Schreiber being related much less brothers. From what I remember, the facts at the end were pretty astonishing. Worth a rental only IMO. Thanks for the review. __________________ Living Room: Panasonic TH-50PZ700U Plasma Scientific-Atlanta SA8300HD DVR Sony PlayStation 3 80GB Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD Toshiba SD-4700 SD DVD Apple Mac mini, 1.83GHz Intel Core Duo Onkyo TX-SR706 Receiver Paradigm Cinema 110 Speaker System Pioneer CLD-3070 LaserDisc Player Quasar VHQ760 VCR Bedroom: Panasonic TC26LX50 26-inch LCD Scientific-Atlanta SA8300HD DVR Panasonic DMP-BD30K Blu-ray Panasonic DMRES15 DVD Recorder JVC HR-S8000U S-VHS

06-05-2009, 11:14 AM	#5
Stew4HD High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 9,068	Thanks for the review, Goof. I blind bought/pre-ordered this one and received it the other day.. I plan on watching it this weekend.. after I finish Weeds; Season 4 __________________ ___________________________________

06-11-2009, 10:34 PM	#8
mytime Nanerpuss Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, Missouri Posts: 5,078	Rented this one. I enjoyed it but will not buy. __________________ Gargle hag gag gargle

06-12-2009, 02:00 AM	#9
Bravestime Supporter of HiDef Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Aiken, SC Age: 53 Posts: 4,415	Thanks Goofnut. I also blind bought this and glad to see your positive review on it. Have not yet seen it, but now looking really forward to watching it. This also gives me a better feeling about my blind buy. __________________ Life is Short, Watch a Movie

06-05-2009, 10:26 AM	#3
Nikopol Uwe Boll's my hero Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maelstrom Blu-rays: 14 Age: 4 Posts: 6,374	Thanks for the review. I wasn't sure if i wanted to watch it, but after reading your review i will. Was afraid it might be a stupid and manipulative piece of "entertainment", but it sounds like it doesn't go down that path.

06-28-2009, 10:48 PM	#13
Bravestime Supporter of HiDef Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Aiken, SC Age: 53 Posts: 4,415	Wife and I viewed it last night. Wife and I throughly enjoyed the movie. For a blind buy, I got my money worth. Amazing story. __________________ Life is Short, Watch a Movie

06-29-2009, 03:48 PM	#14
kamspy Esteban Moderatoro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati,OH Good Posts: 12 Posts: 13,057	Zus is the man.

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