Sharkwater Blu-ray Review

Presented in 1080p/60Hz MPEG-2, "Sharkwater" delivers a commendable video performance, particularly in its underwater sequences captured with HD cameras. The oceanic vistas are vibrant, showcasing the surreal and vivid colors of tropical reefs that almost pop off the screen. Details such as the sheen of scales are meticulously preserved, lending a nearly three-dimensional quality to the marine life. Although the nature of underwater filming can lead to a slightly soft look, the picture remains visually striking and comparable to high-def heavy hitters like "Planet Earth" and "Galapagos." Fortunately, macroblocking, color banding, noise, artifacting, and edge enhancement are minimal, allowing for a relatively untouched viewing experience.

However, "Sharkwater" also incorporates various video source qualities, such as lower resolution footage from undercover cameras and news outlets. These segments appear blocky and stretched when compared to the high-definition underwater visuals, resembling upscaled DVD quality. The static interview scenes fare better than the shaky handheld footage, but overall, these standard definition elements are understandably less appealing. Despite this discrepancy, the inclusion of SD footage is necessary for the documentary's investigative narrative, which sometimes involves capturing illegal activities. Consequently, viewers invested in powerful storytelling will find that these occasional visual setbacks do not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience.

The Blu-Ray audio presentation of "Sharkwater" offers a robust and engaging listening experience through its Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 tracks in both English and French. Although it lacks a lossless audio format, the Dolby Digital options provide more than sufficient aural clarity given the documentary's primary informational focus. The absence of advanced codecs like DTS or Dolby Atmos does not detract significantly, as the film's underwater setting inherently limits the potential for intricate soundscapes. The audio design compensates for this by incorporating well-foleyed sound effects, as detailed by Stewart in the Making of Sharkwater, ensuring that viewers are not deprived of an enriching sound experience despite the technical constraints.

Contrary to the typically dialogue-heavy nature of documentaries, "Sharkwater" effectively utilizes its audio channels to create an immersive environment. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix impresses with its use of bass-heavy tracks and pulsing Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) during underwater sequences. Surround channels are utilized to their full potential, spreading orchestral elements and natural sounds such as whale songs, thrashing water, and seal cries throughout the soundscape. The environmental ambiance is rich and crisply defined, notably enhancing scenes set in the Galapagos and other exotic locales. Any limitations from hand-held camera footage and on-the-run microphone work, like wind noise and low quality dialogue, are effectively mitigated by clear sound prioritization and the strategic use of subtitles.

Overall, while the inclusion of a lossless audio track might have refined the nuances further, the current Dolby Digital mix is commendable for its clarity and immersive qualities. The careful sound engineering ensures that narration remains comfortable, interview dialogues are lucid, and environmental sounds appropriately enhance each scene’s context, making "Sharkwater" stand out among other documentary offerings.

The Blu-ray extras for "Sharkwater" offer a mix of entertaining and occasionally enlightening content, albeit with some redundancy and missed opportunities. "The Making of Sharkwater" provides valuable insight into Rob Stewart's passion and challenges, although some may find material repetition tiresome. The "Shark Defense Naval Training Film" is an archival oddity that humorously illustrates dated shark avoidance techniques without clear explanations. The "Virtual Underwater Gallery" is a peaceful 20-minute visual montage accompanied by soothing music, despite being more of a visual novelty. Finally, the disc includes the theatrical trailer and three TV spots. However, the extras collectively miss an overarching narrative or actionable follow-ups on tackling shark finning, which could guide viewers toward further engagement.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Making of Sharkwater: Behind-the-scenes featurette with insights from filmmakers.
• Shark Defense Naval Training Film: Archival training video showing dated shark defense methods.
• Virtual Underwater Gallery: 20-minute montage of underwater footage with a soothing score.
• Trailer and TV Spots: Theatrical trailer and three TV advertisements.

Sharkwater, directed by biologist and underwater photographer Rob Stewart, is a compelling documentary that demands attention to the pressing issue of shark conservation. The film's high-definition presentation significantly enhances its impact, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the stunning underwater footage and the stark reality faced by these fascinating predators. Stewart’s journey begins with a personal reflection on the scarcely understood nature of sharks. This narrative immediately captivates, challenging long-held public fears perpetuated by media and films like Jaws. Stewart's passion for sharks is palpable as he dispels myths and reveals their vital role in maintaining marine ecosystems, where the balance they provide is crucial to ocean health and, consequently, the planet's wellbeing.

The documentary soon transitions from an educational piece to an intense exposé of the global shark finning crisis. Stewart’s initial goal to document the beauty of sharks evolves into an urgent investigation as he encounters wide-scale illegal fishing activities. His collaboration with Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society offers a dramatic account of their confrontations with poachers, revealing a deeply entrenched network of corruption and exploitation. From witnessing longlines full of dead sharks to the brutal process of finning—where live sharks are mutilated and discarded back into the ocean to drown—the film exposes the barbaric reality behind the shark fin trade. Stewart meticulously documents these atrocities, presenting a clear link between consumer demands for shark fin soup and the decimation of shark populations.

Despite its sometimes overly personal touch and Stewart’s distractingly egocentric moments, Sharkwater excels as a hard-hitting piece of investigative journalism. The film’s unflinching portrayal of greed and environmental destruction is both enraging and enlightening, making it clear that significant action is required to prevent further declines in shark numbers. With powerful footage and a relentless pace, Sharkwater does more than inform; it urges viewers to rethink their perceptions and advocate for change. This documentary effectively uncovers a crisis that not only threatens sharks but poses a significant risk to oceanic ecosystems and the broader environment.

"Sharkwater" is a compelling and visually stunning documentary that addresses the urgent issue of shark harvesting and its detrimental effects on the ecosystem. The film skillfully intertwines gorgeous underwater cinematography with a powerful narrative, achieving a balance between educating the audience and engendering emotional engagement. Though some may find the tone subjective and occasionally pretentious, the substantive content and shocking revelations are well worth the watch.

The Blu-ray release of "Sharkwater" delivers an impressive audiovisual experience, characterized primarily by a high-quality video transfer. Notably, the transfer juxtaposes high-definition footage with standard-definition shots, resulting in occasional inconsistencies. Despite this, the underwater scenes are breathtaking, capturing the vivid blues of the ocean and the intricate details of marine life with remarkable clarity. The audio track is equally strong, ensuring dialogue and ambient ocean sounds are crisp and immersive. One point of slight disappointment is the limited supplemental package provided, which could have enriched the viewing experience.

In conclusion, I cannot help but worry that "Sharkwater" will be yet another documentary that raises critical awareness of universally important issues, only to be shunted aside with little to no results to show for it. Such is the fickle consumer nature of the Average Joe, I suppose. Regardless, I highly recommend this title for its subject matter alone. The Blu-ray itself is a great presentation of magnificent underwater imagery, but it certainly is not a home theatre reference title by any means. Then again, documentaries almost never are. "Sharkwater" merits a rental at the very least - it is truly engrossing.