Riddick Unrated Execution and Recommendation Poll - CLOSED

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Riddick Unrated (5.1 DTS-HD MA)

Level        - 3 Stars (108.5dB composite)
Extension - 1 Stars (27Hz)
Dynamics - 5 Stars (29.93dB)
Execution - 3 Stars (by poll)

 

Overall     - 3 Stars

 

Recommendation - Rent (by poll)

 

Notes:  This one leaves a lot on the table, though it does have pretty good dynamics.  To compare it to Pacific Rim, which was also steeply filtered, but at a lower starting point than Riddick, this one is ~10dB lower in total, overall RMS.  That's a lot left on the table compared to PR, though Riddick doesn't suffer nearly as much from compression/limiting.  The overall mix is decent, but was missing a fair bit of surround effects compared to other sci-fi action movies, which was most obvious in the opening action sequences and at the end in the storm - surround effects of wind & rain came in and out of focus intermittently. 

 

Extension only to 27Hz as the -10dB point is weak, and caused the mix to come across as fairly flat-feeling compared to most other action mixes in recent memory.  This was never more evident than near the beginning when Riddick knocks over a large black stone obelisk.  If you've ever been around construction sites, you know that when large, heavy rock or concrete hits the ground, it causes a tremendous sound & pressure wave.  The obelisk in Riddick did nothing of the sort as it fell and broke, partly because the effect had almost everything below 25Hz steeply filtered out.  What was above 25Hz was loud, but not especially realistic because it included none of the powerful energy you feel in person - most of the energy is centered at 45Hz.  Check the graph at the bottom to see what I'm talking about.

 

I think the franchise as a whole is just a vehicle for Vin Diesel to act gruff & tuff, and the movie stinks anyway, so the sound is not really a surprise.  This film isn't something you should own, unless you're a fanboi who's totally in the tank for Vinny and the series.

 

PvA:

 

 

SpecLab scenecap:

 

Obelisk

 

 

Cliff falling