The Film
Cirque Du Soleil is quite possibly the most successful entertainment franchise of all-time (even bigger than WWE), offering performances on a nightly basis in over nineteen countries. It is a breathtaking combination of acrobatics, dance, music, and some of the most impressive sets one will ever see. Not all of its shows have been as interesting from a content perspective as some that launched the franchise into the stratosphere like "O", but the level of quality has always been there. You pay your monies, you see something extraordinary. Its Beatles LOVE show in Las Vegas might be one of the most engaging shows ever produced. So when the folks at Sony announced that Cirque Du Soleil: Journey of Man was being released in Blu-ray 3D, it generated a stir.
The film was originally released in 2000 as an IMAX Solido (dual-strip 3D) and that is where the trouble begins for the Blu-ray 3D release. There are certainly some other IMAX 3D releases that have made the successful transition to the small screen, but this particular release just loses too much of its impact on a 50" screen to make it worthwhile.
The film is about a young boy's journey through the various stages of life; from birth to maturity, and it is certainly a very artistic interpretation of those important moments. The acrobatic and dance sequences range from breathtaking to downright dull and ultimately that is what sinks this 39-minute release. It is remarkably dull and that is a dangerous thing for a short film.
The Picture
The 2D transfer looks equally as soft; the image is anything but razor sharp.
There was an opportunity here to present one of the most unique theatrical troupes in stunning 3D and it just misses the mark.
The Sound
Journey of Man is offered in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.0 and it will not take long to realize that you don't need the LFE channel; the bass is extremely taut and resolute across the front three channels. The film's score which was composed by Benoit Jutras is a genuine joy to behold and an extremely immersive experience. Sound is a major component of the Cirque experience (The Beatles LOVE show is spectacular) and the mix captures it quite well. It is loud and enveloping (even if it sometimes sounds like an Enya love festival) and the dynamics will deliver a genuine beating to your woofers.
The Extras
As they say en Francais; Absolument rien. Bagel. Nada.
Final Thoughts
Cirque Du Soleil: Journey of Man in 3D should have been one of the most triumphant Blu-ray 3D releases of 2011 considering the source and the unprecedented level of quality that exemplifies this group on a nightly basis around the world. Sadly, it doesn't push the envelope from a 3D perspective and it lacks the jaw-dropping acrobatics and drama that one would have expected from Cirque. The audio quality which is quite superb salvages this and makes it worth a rental.
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