BLU-RAY REVIEW

Ragnarok

Featured In Issue 192, December 2014

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):
Magnolia Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
10777
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$
(Disc Type):
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
96
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
(Regional Coding):
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Mikkel Brænne Sandemose
(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):
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

Ragnarok is the story of Sigurd, an archaeologist who is fascinated by a Viking ship found at the Oseberg burial mound. He believes that a runic inscription on the ship, which translates to "man knows little," holds the key to understanding the Norse myth of Ragnarok: the day when heaven and earth are destroyed. After finding similar inscriptions on a stone in Northern Norway, Sigurd, along with his kids and a colleague, begin an expedition to uncover the secret of the day of doom. A discovery beyond their imagination awaits!

Special features include the featurette The Visual Effects (HD 04:28), the theatrical trailer, and upfront previews.

The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture exhibits a wonderfully natural appearance, with lush forestry greens and earthy tones of the Norwegian landscape. Even the interior imagery exhibits natural hues. Fleshtones are perfectly natural as well. The entire color palette is accurately balanced throughout. Contrast is also well balanced, and shadow delineation is revealing. Resolution is descriptive of fine detail in object textures and earthly landscapes and rock formations, as well as facial features, hair, and clothing. This is a superbly rendered picture that exhibits a perfectly natural cinematic presence.

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel Norwegian soundtrack is effectively atmospheric that builds suspense, eventually erupting into a powerfully dynamic presence. Echo and reverberation effects are immersive and enveloping in the scenes within the deep rock caverns. Atmospherics and sound effects are effectively directional and energized. Deep bass is enhanced in the .1 LFE channel, providing added weight to the orchestral and choral music score and effects, especially the serpent monster. The music is well recorded with a wide and deep soundstage and extended soundfield presence that is enveloping. The Norwegian dialogue is consistently clear and decently integrated spatially. This is a wonderful holosonic® soundtrack experience that projects tension, mystery, and adventure.