3D THE HOBBIT AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY 3D BLU-RAY ##BRAND NEW SEALED ## NEW RELEASE

THE HOBBIT

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

3D BLU-RAY, BLU-RAY AND 2D VERSION

BRAND NEW SEALED

NEW RELEASE

The Blu-ray edition of The Hobbit wows, dazzles and thoroughly impresses with two stunning 1080p video transfers: an MVC-encoded 3D experience and an AVC-encoded 2D presentation, each true to Jackson and cinematographer Andrew Lesnie's every intention. But let's focus on the 3D experience, which shares all of the previously reviewed 2D version's strengths and... well, strengths. Allow me to begin with a small word of warning, though. Jackson is a proponent of world-expanding 3D; the sort of 3D that draws its audience into the image rather than assaulting viewers with overabundant gimmicks and screen-puncturing distractions. In the Blu-ray.com forum, the approach has been labeled "conservative 3D," and for the most part, this is conservative 3D. Depth and dimensionality are outstanding, with vast landscapes, convincingly distant horizons, rocks that jut out of the ground, trolls that loom high overhead, wargs whose muzzles inch closer and closer, goblins that push our heroes forward toward a most unsightly, all too three-dimensional Goblin King, and twisted riverfolk who seem to peer out of their cave and into your home theater. The occasional sword, fluttering bird, swinging ax or tumorous sacks of flesh protrude nicely (or not so nicely, depending on the visual), but again, this is by and large a conservative 3D experience.

Not that the impact is lessened in any way. I much prefer inward 3D to outward 3D, whatever the two might be labeled. Inward 3D is more immersive and enveloping, and I find myself less conscious of the particulars of the 3D imagery and more taken by it. This more cinematic 3D translates beautifully to Blu-ray too, without sacrificing the integrity of the native 3D photography or subsequent encode. Moreover, the lush, lovely Shire greens, summer-kissed browns and oranges, moonlit blues pierced by blazing flame, relatively lifelike fleshtones and cavernous blacks that grant its 2D counterpart soul and spirit are intact and unhindered. Impeccable contrast leveling and exceedingly natural shadow delineation certainly help, and the filmmakers' at-times stylized color grading is presented without apparent flaw. Detail is nothing short of extraordinary too. Edge definition is crisp and clean, without any notable ringing, and fine textures are refined and exceptionally rewarding.

3D displays that are prone to ghosting will have difficulty resolving a few shots (most noticeably in long shots of the goblin throne chamber, where tiny torch lights, eager eyes and restless minions are subject to slight crosstalk). As usual, though, any ghosting that pops up is a product of individual 3D displays and glasses, not the 3D encode itself. Moreover, significant aliasing, macroblocking, banding and other issues are absent, and only the slightest hint of noise and negligible crush will give eagle-eyed videophiles pause. Ultimately, Jackson's 3D may not raze your home theater to the ground, but it invites you along on Bilbo's journey, through winding hills, towering forests, massive caverns and beyond. Next stop: 3D Lonely Mountain.

Note: The 3D version of the film is spread generously across two BD-50 discs. The 2D version is then available on a third BD-50 disc, while the special features are housed on a fourth.