"Below" - The Review (Long)
Dr. Spec
Posts: 3,780
Warning - This Review Contains Minor Plot Spoilers.
After reading tour2ma's stern admonition about this movie, I was rather hesitant to actually take the plunge and buy/rent it - since I highly value his opinion; his addiction to buying more gear than his house can comfortably hold not withstanding.
Nevertheless, Ron Epstein's generally positive review over at HTF swayed me back over to neutral so I figured what the heck, you only live once. No rental houses are carrying this movie, so I bought it from CC under a faux price match scheme against Wal-Mart for $17.99. The clerk was too busy to check and they really don't care anyway - at least not in my town.
Here's the breakdown - technical stuff first.
Video Transfer and Special Effects:
ScottVamp thought my raving about the video quality on Bourne Identity was a pant load, so take my opinion here FWIW.
The anamorphic video transfer on Below is absolutely amazing. Black levels are rich and deep, color rendering is extremely life-like, sharpness and detail is stunning (as good as or better than HDTV), and there is nary a grain nor digital artifact in sight. There is some grain in a flashback sequence, but it was clearly deliberate. If every DVD looked this good, we wouldn't need HD-DVD. Why budget films like Below can look this good, and mega-$$ films like SW Episodes I & II are in a perpetual state of soft focus is beyond me.
CGI special effects of the sub exterior are very good, especially when a dud depth charge rolls along the length of the hull, and when the destroyer overhead drags the ocean floor with huge grappling hooks in an effort to snag and ruin the sub.
Soundtrack:
Dolby Digital 5.1. Compared to my reference standard for sub movies (U-571-dts), Below falls a bit short, but it is still above average.
The LFE track is satisfyingly powerful on depth charge scenes and during deep groans and bumps on the ship's hull, but it lacks the sheer impact and power of U-571-dts. Bumping up the sub level 2 clicks would probably get me where I want on this disc for the next viewing.
Surround effects are put to good use, as one might expect for a haunted war-sub movie. There are groans, clanks, and panning effects aplenty here, but again it is lacking some of the completely enveloping and razor sharp character of U-571-dts on the "200 meters scene". Again, bumping the surrounds up a click or two might help on the next viewing.
Vocals are clear and fill the room well, and the orchestral music track is properly understated and mostly used for building suspense and delivering impact during scary scenes.
The Plot:
This is basically a WWII sub movie (circa 1943) with a twist. The crew of the USS Tiger Shark is ordered to pick-up survivors of a torpedoed British medical ship. After they pick them up (one is a woman), strange things start to occur on board. Submariners are a superstitious lot anyway, so it doesn't take much to unnerve them.
Eventually, the strange happenings take on a violent and deadly nature and the crew finds itself in a fight for its life against mechanical failures, its own superstitious fears, and quite possibly the ghost of the recently dead captain. The sub takes on a life of its own and seems hell bent on returning to the site where the survivors were originally picked up. To tell more would ruin the movie, but the "secret" the crew has been keeping since picking up the survivors eventually leaks out, and the ending has an interesting twist as it all comes together for the viewer.
There are mechanical detail shots aplenty of the interior of the USS Tiger Shark and this was a real treat for a war buff like me. The doors that seal the sub compartments have a unique mechanical differential gear action, and are of a much higher construction grade than the typical compression screw design on a German sub. Ditto for the battery room, and the ocean water temperature plotter (it is harder to get a sonar read on a sub that is in colder water).
There are also several very close-up detail shots of small instruments, pen/pencil tips, cigarette butts, lamp filaments, etc., that are used very effectively and the scene set-up and camera work is high caliber and often unique.
Acting performances from the crew are gritty and realistic. They are a crude and motley crew very much in vein of Das Boot, and Below actually exceeds U-571 in this respect. They amuse themselves in the ways only real men aboard a war sub for months at a time can appreciate. They even play a cruel and extreme practical joke on the female survivor much to her chagrin and their glee.
Where this movie definitely falls short is in the plot. There are clearly inconsistencies, unresolved issues, and it suffers from pacing problems. There are a few genuinely scary moments that result more from shock value than from a true build in suspense. This movie could have been SO much better with a judicious plot rework.
Summary:
If you're the type that simply cannot get past plot shortcomings, take a pass on Below.
For me somebody like me (who bought The Haunting in DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete just for the soundtrack), the video quality, special effects, soundtrack, and camera work made Below a worthy HT contender.
Video Quality: 10
Soundtrack: 8
Acting: 8
Scene Set-up and Camera Work: 9
Plot: 6
Regards,
Doc
After reading tour2ma's stern admonition about this movie, I was rather hesitant to actually take the plunge and buy/rent it - since I highly value his opinion; his addiction to buying more gear than his house can comfortably hold not withstanding.
Nevertheless, Ron Epstein's generally positive review over at HTF swayed me back over to neutral so I figured what the heck, you only live once. No rental houses are carrying this movie, so I bought it from CC under a faux price match scheme against Wal-Mart for $17.99. The clerk was too busy to check and they really don't care anyway - at least not in my town.
Here's the breakdown - technical stuff first.
Video Transfer and Special Effects:
ScottVamp thought my raving about the video quality on Bourne Identity was a pant load, so take my opinion here FWIW.
The anamorphic video transfer on Below is absolutely amazing. Black levels are rich and deep, color rendering is extremely life-like, sharpness and detail is stunning (as good as or better than HDTV), and there is nary a grain nor digital artifact in sight. There is some grain in a flashback sequence, but it was clearly deliberate. If every DVD looked this good, we wouldn't need HD-DVD. Why budget films like Below can look this good, and mega-$$ films like SW Episodes I & II are in a perpetual state of soft focus is beyond me.
CGI special effects of the sub exterior are very good, especially when a dud depth charge rolls along the length of the hull, and when the destroyer overhead drags the ocean floor with huge grappling hooks in an effort to snag and ruin the sub.
Soundtrack:
Dolby Digital 5.1. Compared to my reference standard for sub movies (U-571-dts), Below falls a bit short, but it is still above average.
The LFE track is satisfyingly powerful on depth charge scenes and during deep groans and bumps on the ship's hull, but it lacks the sheer impact and power of U-571-dts. Bumping up the sub level 2 clicks would probably get me where I want on this disc for the next viewing.
Surround effects are put to good use, as one might expect for a haunted war-sub movie. There are groans, clanks, and panning effects aplenty here, but again it is lacking some of the completely enveloping and razor sharp character of U-571-dts on the "200 meters scene". Again, bumping the surrounds up a click or two might help on the next viewing.
Vocals are clear and fill the room well, and the orchestral music track is properly understated and mostly used for building suspense and delivering impact during scary scenes.
The Plot:
This is basically a WWII sub movie (circa 1943) with a twist. The crew of the USS Tiger Shark is ordered to pick-up survivors of a torpedoed British medical ship. After they pick them up (one is a woman), strange things start to occur on board. Submariners are a superstitious lot anyway, so it doesn't take much to unnerve them.
Eventually, the strange happenings take on a violent and deadly nature and the crew finds itself in a fight for its life against mechanical failures, its own superstitious fears, and quite possibly the ghost of the recently dead captain. The sub takes on a life of its own and seems hell bent on returning to the site where the survivors were originally picked up. To tell more would ruin the movie, but the "secret" the crew has been keeping since picking up the survivors eventually leaks out, and the ending has an interesting twist as it all comes together for the viewer.
There are mechanical detail shots aplenty of the interior of the USS Tiger Shark and this was a real treat for a war buff like me. The doors that seal the sub compartments have a unique mechanical differential gear action, and are of a much higher construction grade than the typical compression screw design on a German sub. Ditto for the battery room, and the ocean water temperature plotter (it is harder to get a sonar read on a sub that is in colder water).
There are also several very close-up detail shots of small instruments, pen/pencil tips, cigarette butts, lamp filaments, etc., that are used very effectively and the scene set-up and camera work is high caliber and often unique.
Acting performances from the crew are gritty and realistic. They are a crude and motley crew very much in vein of Das Boot, and Below actually exceeds U-571 in this respect. They amuse themselves in the ways only real men aboard a war sub for months at a time can appreciate. They even play a cruel and extreme practical joke on the female survivor much to her chagrin and their glee.
Where this movie definitely falls short is in the plot. There are clearly inconsistencies, unresolved issues, and it suffers from pacing problems. There are a few genuinely scary moments that result more from shock value than from a true build in suspense. This movie could have been SO much better with a judicious plot rework.
Summary:
If you're the type that simply cannot get past plot shortcomings, take a pass on Below.
For me somebody like me (who bought The Haunting in DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete just for the soundtrack), the video quality, special effects, soundtrack, and camera work made Below a worthy HT contender.
Video Quality: 10
Soundtrack: 8
Acting: 8
Scene Set-up and Camera Work: 9
Plot: 6
Regards,
Doc
"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS
Post edited by Dr. Spec on
Comments
-
Someone read this before I fixed the typos with the "?" marks that showed up in the transfer from Word to Club Polk. Sorry about that.
Doc"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS -
I love/appreciate your reviews Dr. Spec. Can you do me a favor and give me a review on the oldie but goodie "Hunt For Red October?" I have it on videotape
but I haven't seen it on DVD. I am really interested on the audio aspect of the movie and if the DD is worth buying it. Thanks Home Speakers polkaudio RTi70's (bi-wired), CSi30, FX3000i, PSW250
Car speakers polkaudio EX 369, DB 650 -
Very nice review Doc. I may just have to pick it up, for $17.99, that's not too bad and yes, I was one of those...(who bought The Haunting in DTS-ES 6.1 Discrete just for the soundtrack), the video quality, special effects, soundtrack, and camera work made Below a worthy HT contender.
Peace Out~:DIf...
Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
Ron loves a film = don't even rent. -
Chris - the short of it is The Hunt For Red October is non-anamorphic and the picture quality is just OK. And the soundtrack was disappointing, but I kinda expected that. I own THFRO for the greatness of the movie, not for the greatness of the picture/sound.
Ron - just be aware I caught the clerk at the right time and fibbed on the price match and she just pushed it through. I know she suspected I was fibbing but she didn't care. And just to reiterate before you spend the $$, Below has pretty major plot problems, but if you value other aspects of HT just as highly as the plot, you might find it a worthy purchase. Let's face it, The Haunting was hardly a memorable movie, but I've seen it about 10 times just for the killer bass soundtrack and special effects.
You are kind of hard to figure out on movies - we have different tastes, that's for sure. You've quasi-panned almost every movie you've seen lately and you seem pretty hard to please. And you thought Moulin Rouge was a contender for Movie Of The Year in 2001 and I couldn't get past the first 10 minutes. Different strokes so take my review with a grain of salt and I hope if you buy Below - it's for the technical aspects and not the overall excellence of the movie."What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS -
Doc,
Nice review. I am glad you did not consider Below a waste of money, since you spent it. And I agree with your assessment of the technical aspects of the movie, excepting that in the theater there was a definite soft focus quality to it, not the sharpness you sighted. Perhaps the projector was slightly out of focus (or the projectionist was Bob Gucionne)
And Doc, IMO it's hard to spoil the plot of a movie whose end you can see coming just over halfway through it...
Just for calibration reference for my future reviews, as a "movie going" experience, I gave Below a "2" on a scale of one to ten. Actually can never remember giving a 1 (and maybe thats a good thing), but Caddy Shack II does spring to mind as an example awfully quickly
For me Below was a series of about six "now it's going to get good" false starts. But I will say that at least I stayed awake thru it, more than I can say for SW-EpI:AOTC's... which BTW eeked out a "5" on the T2ma scale. Took about a 15 minute nap in the middle of that one...:rolleyes:
Other points of Sub calibration (pun intended): U571 - 6 ; The Hunt for Red October - 8 ; Das Boot (in German w/ sub-titles)- 9 ; Crimson Tide 7. My all-time sub movie, The Enemy Below now theres a movie that should be remade. Even with the cheesy special effects I still love it, as well as the Star Trek episode based upon it, Balance of Terror.
If I ever get my HT up and running (still have a couple rooms that dont have vintage speakers in them ), Ill be able to join you in the appreciation of the other aspects of that experience. At the core, however, I think I am one of those plot guys, or maybe story guys.
As an additional general review, calibration point, my all-time favorite movie? To date its Raging Bull oooh think I feel another thread coming up but search first
More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
"At the core, however, I think I am one of those ?plot guys?, or maybe story guys."
I already knew that, tour. That's why I didn't worry about your rant too much.
I rank U-571 right up there with Das Boot (did a DB review here about a year ago). But for different reasons - U-571 wins technical, and DB wins on the acting/grit scale.
That's also why I have stopped rating movies with a single number. Just doesn't work for HT.
But don't try to force what isn't there - if a great story floats your boat and the other aspects are a distant second, then hey that's perfectly OK.
Everybody I know bought SW EPII ATOC for the special effects first, and the story second. I mean really - "I am haunted by the kiss you should have never given me" - Jesus H. Christ that kid's a bad actor! But when the Governor's ship passes over in the opening scene and then explodes at 115 dB in your room - all is forgiven. :0
Doc"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS -
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat, Me Rant?Originally posted by Dr. Spec
I already knew that, tour. That's why I didn't worry about your rant too much.
That's also why I have stopped rating movies with a single number. Just doesn't work for HT.
But don't try to force what isn't there - if a great story floats your boat and the other aspects are a distant second, then hey that's perfectly OK.
I mean really - "I am haunted by the kiss you should have never given me" - Jesus H. Christ that kid's a bad actor! But when the Governor's ship passes over in the opening scene and then explodes at 115 dB in your room - all is forgiven. :0
Doc
Never was my intent to dispute your rating in any way, just offering you and others a frame of reference for my ratings here and in the future.... besides I liked the "sub-cal" pun... And I think it was Russ who posted a while back that he doesnt even go to the movies anymore because the HT experience is so much better. I know you confirmed this in a base discussion as well.
I can see a significant gut rumble/ SS factor coming into play for DVDs. AOTC will definitely have a place here in the 2nd trilogy box set a couple years away. Besides I have to see what I missed during naptime...
We definitely can leave this agreeing on the young Anican(sp?) Skywalker actor... not being able to act his way out of one of these was my comment at the time...
More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
No - your rant in the OTHER "Below" thread. Your response here could hardly be considered a rant - quite the contrary. Sorry if I confused you. I like the graphics!
Doc"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS -
Got ya... rant does not mean word count... it means
Font Size
and thanks, I think I've hit the graphics motherload... you've got mail...More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
Thanx for the excellent review Ed!
Although I do visit other sites, and read reviews.
I highly respect your (and others on this forum) reviews, more than someone who gets screener copies from various studios.
(No Dis. to Ron at HTF or anyone else)
It's just the fact that you are a "regular" person, who shelled out his $'s, just like the rest of us-and doesn't run or moderate a forum. Just a straight up and honest opinion (ILIKEDAT)
Plus, when it comes to Bass Mgmnt. - You are the authority !
You have helped me and many others w/your knowledge - and I thank you.
Since I wrapped my extra sub cable length around my dual 350's
and have experienced the
high gauss density magnetic field feedback inductor every time the VC moves in the coil gap, thereby increasing output capability by 15-20 dB and extending the FR to below 10 Hz. - I will never go back !
Who would have thought?
Thanx for the help, and the laughs!
Lots 'o knowledge AND comedians here - lets keep it that way folks !
CHEERS ! jefffArt as expression-Not as market campaigns-Will still capture our imaginations. -
Thanks, it was fun writing the review. I'm going to get back into it more. I don't know how I pulled that cable wrap thing out of my **** - just one of those things!"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS -
Finally located and bought this DVD. CC, it's on back order. My usual Hollywood Video, not stocking it for rent or purchase. BB, only PnS. Finally, BB comes through with only 2 copies on the shelf. Looking forward to watching it this weekend.
Peace Out~:DIf...
Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
Ron loves a film = don't even rent. -
Did you get a price break? The BB guy offered to take $2 off mine because they didn't discount it for opening week. I eventually got it later at CC so its a moot point for me.
My local BB only had two copies too. This will be a movie that will disappear from the shelves due to its probable small cult following, and it will not be reordered very often. Another reason I wanted it in the collection.
I'll feel badly if you don't like it. I would have bought it for the video transfer, CGI, and the camera work alone. It's a pretty fun movie and we jumped in a few scenes - mostly from good editing and camera work rather than from any actual suspense.
Doc"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS -
Doc, it sounds like a movie that's right up my alley, that is why I bought it. Your review is not the only one I've read that has sung praises about this movie and DVD.
No price break, but no big deal. I was on a spending spree, movies, Monster Cable Interlink cables, batteries, CD's, a few extra bucks does not a big difference make.
Peace Out~:DIf...
Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
Ron loves a film = don't even rent. -
Watched this Saturday night and my friends and I really enjoyed it. Sure, it's got polt holes, but still, very entertaining. Keeps ya glued to the TV for the most part. Ending is a little predictable, but other than that, good movie.
The A/V on this disk is excellent. The PQ is very, very detailed, sharp, blacks are deep with detail and the dd track is very enveloping and dynamic.
A worthy add to the collection, if you can find it.
Peace Out~:DIf...
Ron dislikes a film = go out and buy it.
Ron loves a film = don't even rent. -
Originally posted by Ron-P
Watched this Saturday night and my friends and I really enjoyed it. Sure, it's got polt holes, but still, very entertaining. Keeps ya glued to the TV for the most part. Ending is a little predictable, but other than that, good movie.
The A/V on this disk is excellent. The PQ is very, very detailed, sharp, blacks are deep with detail and the dd track is very enveloping and dynamic.
A worthy add to the collection, if you can find it.
Peace Out~:D
A happy ending to the Below thread - that's how I like it! Good deal Ron - thanks for the follow-up.
Doc"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Ed Mullen (emullen@svsound.com)
Director - Technology and Customer Service
SVS -
Just got around to seeing this movie and I really liked it - I agree with Doc's review, many a plot hole but very entertaining nonetheless.Mains: polkaudio RTi70's (bi-wired)
Center: polkaudio CSi40 (bi-wired)
Surrounds: polkaudio FXi30's
Rear Center: polkaudio CSi30
Sub: SVS 20-39 PC+
Receiver: ONKYO TX-SR600
Display: JVC HD-56G786
DVD Player: SONY DVP-CX985V
DVD Player: OPPO DV-981HD 1080p High Definition Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI
Remote: Logitech Harmony H688 -
that is a dam good review, thanks doc. i love submarine movies, got to get this one.. rt-7 mains
rt-20p surounds
cs-400i front center
cs-350 ls rear center
2 energy take 5, efects
2- psw-650 , subs
1- 15" audiosource sub
lets all go to the next ces. -
Well, I just picked this one up today after having rented it awhile back. It was either this or "Ghost Ship", which I also liked, but not as much as "Below".Mains: polkaudio RTi70's (bi-wired)
Center: polkaudio CSi40 (bi-wired)
Surrounds: polkaudio FXi30's
Rear Center: polkaudio CSi30
Sub: SVS 20-39 PC+
Receiver: ONKYO TX-SR600
Display: JVC HD-56G786
DVD Player: SONY DVP-CX985V
DVD Player: OPPO DV-981HD 1080p High Definition Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI
Remote: Logitech Harmony H688
