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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Cove, The

    Featured In Issue 156, April 2011

    Picture3.5
    Sound3.5
    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):
    Lionsgate Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    29893
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    Disturbing content
    (Retail Price):
    $19.95
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Single Layer (BD-25)
    (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
    (Theatrical Year):
    2009
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    04/05/11
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Louie Psihoyos
    (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):

    The Cove is a true story about an elite team of activists, filmmakers, and free divers who embark on a covert mission to penetrate a remote and hidden cove in Taiji, Japan that hides a dark and deadly secret. It is here that, under cover of night, the fishermen of Taiji, driven by a multibillion dollar dolphin industry and a black market for mercury-tainted dolphin meat, engage in an unseen hunt. This shocking story has inspired people around the world to action and raised hopes that thousands of the most magnificent wild animals on Earth can be saved. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary with Director Louie Psihoyos and Producer Fisher Stevens, "Black OPS Covert Gear" videos in five parts (SD 08:56), Freediving (SD 04:23), three deleted scenes (SD 09:37), The Cove: Mercury Rising documentary (SD 18:35), the theatrical trailer, and previews.

    The 2.35:1 1080p AVC picture effectively communicates the horrific consequences of the killing of Dolphins in documentary style. The imagery varies from decent to excellent, limited by the source elements available. Some of the softer-focused and grainy imagery is the result of the use of infrared and night-vision cameras, and stock footage. The documentary's cobbled imagery is, however, very effective. Much of the picture is sharp and detailed, with nicely saturated colors. Overall, the imagery is unsettling but well produced, considering the challenges confronting the filmmakers in their quest to expose to the world this shocking secret. (Gary Reber)

    The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely tied together by music, which at times extends to the surrounds, along with atmospheric sound effects. Still, the surround presence is generally reserved. The dialogue is intelligible, and the narration is well balanced against the other elements. The underwater recordings of both whales and dolphins are effective. Overall, the sonics are decent and well presented as a documentary. (Gary Reber)

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