Assassin’s Creed 3D

Assassin’s Creed is an action-adventure based on the video game franchise. Through a technology that unlocks his memories, Callum (Fassbender) discovers he is a descendant of an ancient line of Assassins. Transformed by the past, Callum begins to gain the knowledge and physical skills needed to topple the Templar’s quest for world domination in the present day. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurette Take The Pledge in five parts: Legacy Of Assassin’s Creed, Becoming An Assassin, Tools Of The Trade, In The Realm Of Realism, and Swift Moves And Stealth Maneuvers (HD 41:05); a deleted scenes conversation with Director Justin Kurzel and Christopher Tellefsen (HD 22:23); a conversation with Kurzel (HD 20:22); a gallery; theatrical trailers; upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.38:1 1080p MVC 3D picture has been sourced from a 4K digital intermediate (DI) and photographed in Panavision® Super 70 using the Arri Alexa 65 digital camera system. The 3D conversion was performed by Stereo D. The production design and stylization result in an incredible three-dimensional visual experience. While dark throughout, even during murky outdoor scenes, the dramatic contrast effect is stunning, both during the 15th century and modern day sequences, dramatized with incredible CGI treatments. The vast majority of the movie occurs in the shadows, yet contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. The color palette is largely cast in cool blues and sepia-tinted hues. Still, resolution is often excellent, with fine detail evident in close-ups of facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. The laboratory scenes are cold, yet hauntingly beautiful, with the Animus machine that takes Callum back to the 15th century Spanish Inquisition. There, hues are warmer and richer with effective highlights. The entire affair is stylized with incredible imagination. The 3D treatment is absolutely captivating, with incredible depth and perspective that produces extreme realism during both time periods. Character volume is excellent. While the aforementioned darkness is prominent, the 3D manages to effectively deliver exceptional spatial dimensionality. Of course, a display capable of excellent native contrast as well as a dark viewing environment is necessary to optimize the 3D presentation. This is an incredible 3D conversion that is among the best 3D reference presentations to date. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is extraordinarily dynamic with an all-immersive holosonic® soundfield that never disappoints. Few soundtracks deliver the immersive intensity as this does. Jed Kurzel’s orchestral score is wonderfully dynamic and enveloping, with an aggressive surround field occupying all four surround channels, as well as an impressively wide and deep soundstage. Atmospherics are wonderful, with aggressive directionality, as well as Foley effects, which enhance the sense of realism. Atmospherics include incredible echos and reverberation. Sound effects are wonderful with aggressive directionalization. Deep bass is intense, extending to sub-25 Hz frequencies, bolstered by strong .1 LFE energy. Panning effects are used frequently to good effect. If there is any downside, it is that dialogue is at times difficult to understand and a bit forward. Overall, this is an extremely intense-energy soundtrack that excites all the channels at high levels, sounding incredibly dynamic and dimensional. Reference quality throughout. (Gary Reber)