Planet Ocean Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray of "Planet Ocean" delivers a mixed bag of visual experiences. On one hand, the high definition presentation boasts vivid, alluring colors and excellent depth, highlighting the natural beauty of earth-toned hues that pop vividly within the 1.78:1 framed video. The contrast balance is commendably spot on, revealing a wide range of gradation in shades of gray and white while maintaining rich black levels that enhance the depth of field. Detailed resolution underscores the vastness and scope of the captured footage, contributing to an immersive viewing experience without noticeable video-related anomalies.

However, the presentation is marred by significant technical inconsistencies. Predominantly composed of upconverted footage, Universal's 1080p/AVC-encoded video is plagued by macroblocking, severe banding, and a myriad of issues including ringing, aliasing, and video noise. This inconsistency stems from the varied quality and resolution of the source material, clearly shot with numerous cameras of differing capacities. Colors and contrast fluctuate dramatically, black levels often appear muted, and fine detail is frequently disrupted by edge halos. Even though some scenes achieve near demo-quality levels—featuring magnificent clarity and awe-inspiring vistas akin to "Planet Earth" or "Life"—the pervasive banding severely undermines the visual integrity. This banding, particularly when light interacts with water, manifests as large, visible color bands that detract from the otherwise stunning imagery.

Overall, while "Planet Ocean" shows moments of brilliance with vividly detailed underwater scenes and clear resolution showcasing the natural wonders of oceanic life, these highs are overshadowed by recurring technical flaws. The presence of substantial banding and other anomalies render large portions of the presentation less enjoyable, hampering what could have been an exceptional visual journey.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack for "Planet Ocean" offers a highly engaging and commendable audio presentation that effectively immerses viewers into the film's rich aural landscape. Josh Duhamel's narration is articulated clearly and commands attention, primarily anchored in the front soundstage with an impeccable blend across the front three channels. This results in smooth channel integration and precise imaging. Armand Amar's musical score shines through the front speakers with top-end air and focused detail, augmented by ambient rear channel presence that broadens the overall soundstage. The LFE channel provides notable support, particularly in the mid to upper low end bass frequencies, enhancing both the musical elements and the recordings within the film.

While the mix predominantly utilizes the front soundstage, the overarching soundfield successfully captures the various sounds of the ocean, with rear channels adeptly replicating crashing waves, sweeping winds, and ambient elements like cawing gulls and thrashing sharks. There is an appreciable level of detail and directionality, despite some minor imprecision in placement. The dynamic range may not always reach its fullest potential, which seems more a reflection of the source material rather than a shortcoming of the audio track itself. Music integration can occasionally be overbearing due to its dramatic nature, but it remains clear and well-distributed across the channels.

Ultimately, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track excels in delivering a vivid and dynamic audio experience that complements the visual splendor of "Planet Ocean." Its ability to handle both the powerful narration and intricate natural sounds ensures viewers are thoroughly enveloped in the oceanic adventure.

The "Planet Ocean" Blu Ray offers a singular extra feature, a three-part "Making of Planet Ocean" featurette, totaling 14 minutes and presented in Standard Definition. This insightful behind-the-scenes glimpse is divided into three segments: "In the Skies Above Rio," showcasing director Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s aerial videography over Rio de Janeiro; "Underwater," which highlights the technical challenges and equipment used by underwater cameramen to capture the ocean's splendor; and "Shanghai," where the director engages with his crew on various aspects of the production process.

Extras included in this disc:

• In the Skies Above Rio: Director Yann Arthus-Bertrand's aerial footage over Rio.
• Underwater: Technical details of underwater cinematography.
• Shanghai: Behind-the-scenes interactions with the production crew.

"Planet Ocean" is a visually stunning documentary that captures the breathtaking beauty and profound mysteries of the world's oceans. Directed by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot, this film intricately explores humanity’s intricate relationship with the ocean while emphasizing the urgency for sustainable change. The documentary is brought to life through dynamic visual storytelling, featuring impressive aerial and underwater imagery captured in extreme geographical conditions. Although the stunning cinematography is undeniable, the narration by Josh Duhamel, while solid, lacks the gravitas needed to fully convey the film's heavy messages. Duhamel's smooth and somewhat sappy voice fails to resonate with the emotional depth required by Bertrand and Pitiot's poetic and, at times, hyperbolic script.

The documentary enters a precarious intersection between artful advocacy and somber narrative, heavily focusing on humanity's harmful impact on marine ecosystems. This approach does justice to eco-conscious viewers but may struggle to convert skeptics due to its preach-to-the-choir tone. The filmmakers’ passionate delivery emphasizes the severity of issues like overfishing, environmental degradation, and corporate neglect of oceanic health. Nevertheless, there is a sense of redundancy as the film heavily reiterates these points, potentially desensitizing the audience rather than motivating them towards actionable insights.

Despite its laudable intentions, "Planet Ocean" falls short in balance. The minimal focus on the natural magnificence of oceans might deter some viewers seeking inspiration from awe-inducing visuals. However, the documentary proposes tangible solutions towards the end, which offers a glimmer of hope against the otherwise grim forecast. It challenges viewers to acknowledge their role in marine conservation actively, although its impact may be curtailed by its predominantly one-sided presentation. Overall, "Planet Ocean" stands as both a visual masterpiece and a heavy-handed admonishment—a combination that may inspire some but likely leaves others seeking more balanced documentary filmmaking akin to BBC’s renowned natural history series.

"Planet Ocean" Blu-ray delivers a compelling visual and auditory exploration of marine ecosystems, though it can be overly didactic and somber in its narrative. Directed with a clear intent to impart serious environmental messages, the documentary effectively captures the vibrancy and beauty of oceanic life. However, its grandiose and sometimes preachy tone might deter viewers more accustomed to a balanced and hopeful presentation of environmental issues. The well-crafted DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track enhances the immersive experience, but it unfortunately can't offset the video quality issues, including pervasive banding that detracts from the overall visual appeal.

Universal’s Blu-ray release includes a succinct supplementary package, totaling 14 minutes, which adds little substantive value to the main feature. While the supplementary material attempts to further contextualize the documentary's messages, it falls short of providing a comprehensive or enriching experience. Technical purists might find the video’s inconsistent rendering distracting despite the film's striking underwater cinematography.

In conclusion, "Planet Ocean" is a mixed bag. Its intentions to educate and inspire action are commendable, and it excels when showcasing the ocean’s sheer splendor. However, the heavy-handed storytelling and compromised video quality undermine its potential as a standout documentary. This release is best suited for those specifically interested in marine conservation and willing to overlook its technical and narrative shortcomings.