Hi-Def Preview

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Released: 11/13/07

Review By: Joshua Noyes

Picture Quality – 4.5/5

Audio Quality – 4.5/5

Special Features – 4/5

Overall – 4.5/5

Comments: After watching “Close Encounters Of The Third Kind” (CEOTTK) it is clear that Sony put A LOT of effort in to this release. Perhaps it’s because it is the first Steven Spielberg approved release on either HD Format. Sony used an AVC encode on to a BD50 disc and the results for PQ are very impressive. There were no hints of noise, macroblocking or banding. The colors and flesh-tones also were spot-on. There is a bit of grain as that is how Spielberg intended the film to look and I personally feel it added a lot to the overall viewing experience. Watching this movie grain-free would have been awkward. Needless to say, this film has never looked better. Also this film features a seamless branching special feature. You can watch the film via three different versions; “The Original Version,” “The Special Edition,” and “The Director’s Cut.”

In-terms of AQ, this too was a very impressive showing by Sony. We get two lossless soundtracks! There is both a DTS-HD MA track and a Dolby TrueHD track. I listened using the DTS-HD MA option with my new Panasonic DMPBD30K and the results were AMAZING for a film of its age! This is one of the best if not the best older film soundtrack I have heard thus far on HDM. The Center Channel presented the dialog perfectly. It was as though the characters were sitting on your couch with you. The Surrounds too were used to perfection and used frequently. At times I found myself almost jumping from what appeared to be sounds headed in my direction. Finally the LFE was used to perfection as well, albeit in a more discrete manner. It really added a “fullness” to many scenes and clearly enhanced the overall viewing experience.

In addition to the seamless branching feature, the Special Features on this release are solid. This release comes with a second disc of special features on a BD25. The basic theme of the special features on this release are “making of” featurettes, of which one is 97 minutes long! Perhaps a new record for HDM J There is also a feature showing the original theatrical trailer and some other odds and ends. Overall a very nice collection of special features.

In conclusion, the purchase of this disc simply put, is a no-brainer if you are a fan of this film. It has never looked or sounded better and it is full of interesting special features. I highly recommend this purchase.