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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Experiment, The

    Featured In Issue 153, January 2011

    Picture4.5
    Sound5
    WSR Score5
    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):
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    35990
    (MPAA Rating):
    R
    (Rating Reason):
    Strong disturbing violence including a rape, language, some sexual content and nudity
    (Retail Price):
    $30.95
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    96
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A & B
    (Theatrical Year):
    2010
    (Theatrical Release):
    No
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    Yes
    (Disc Release Date):
    09/21/10
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Paul T. Scheuring
    (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):
    DTS HD Lossless 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Based on the novel "Black Box" by Mario Giordano and the 2002 German film "Das Experiment" written by Mario Giordano, Christoph Darnswtadt and Don Bohlingre. "The Experiment" is a shocking psychological thriller that depicts 24 men participating in the roles of guards and prisoners in a study designed to evaluate the affects of power and control. Values are tested and lines are crossed when seemingly normal participants are pushed to the breaking point as the experiment spirals out of control. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include previews and BD-Live functionality.

    The 1080p AVC picture is terrific with sharp and clear imagery and a natural color palette. The close-ups of wire cells are distinctive and well defined, as well as object textures and facial features. Contrast is excellent, which enhances dimensional depth and shadow delineation. Blacks are solid. Fleshtones are accurately rendered throughout. While the prison scenes are drab, with dark blues and grays, the contrasting segments on the outside and in India display a rich and warm color palette with vivid hues. This is a powerful display of visual violence that is perfectly depicted to enhance the sense of realism. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is emotionally haunting, with an eerie orchestral music score, which is widely scaled across the soundstage, with support for surround envelopment. At appropriate times the music punctuates the dire conditions in the prison experiment, with a raw edginess that is unnerving. Sound effects are directionalized and, at times, exhibit an aggressive surround presence. Dialogue is excellent and conveys a realistic integration spatially. As the insanty unfolds, dialogue effects are panned throughout the soundield. The .1 LFE channels are enlisted, to heighten the intense psychological moments, for an impressive effect. This is a well-produced soundtrack that is fully emotionally connected to the storytelling. The experience is effectively uncomfortable. (Gary Reber)

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