Time Code: 1:45:22
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX

The Clone War

 The outbreak of the clone war is certainly something to behold. The digital image is as crisp as a potato chip, and the Dolby Digital is deafening in its power. Explosions will shake your windows and the internal framework of the house. Lightsabers spin from speaker to speaker. Lasers will penetrate your very heart! This is the ultimate DVD experience, no doubt about it!
 

Time Code: 1:47:02
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Helicopter Explosion

No one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see (and hear) it for yourself. The first DVD to really get DVD producers’ ideas rolling out, The Matrix is still a benchmark disc. The scene in which a helicopter penetrates a buildings window is a great example of surround and bass activity.

Time Code: 1:24:21
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX

Attack On Pearl Harbour

Comments on the movie as a whole aside, once the battle begins, no one can say it’s not enthralling. The sheer sonic power of the attack is breathtaking. The pyrotechnic special effects, nicely rendered on DVD, combined with a first rate soundtrack mix combine to make Pearl Harbor a very noteworthy disc. As a word of warning though, the bass levels are very low, so be careful not to crank the subwoofer too high.

Time Code: 1:23:14
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Paris Car Chase

One of the earlier DVD releases in Australia, Ronin is still a winner. To really feel in the drivers seat, it’s necessary to crank this puppy LOUD! Accompanied by a nice, suspenseful score by Elia Cmiral, the show-stopping car chase that weaves in and out of Paris streets makes Ronin a top notch addition to your home theatre, and a testament to late director John Frankenheimer.

Time Code: 1:00:46
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

T-Wrecks

Steven Spielberg’s dinosaur masterpiece, now 10 years old, still looks, and sounds great. The famous scene of the T-Rex breakout is a standout scene on DVD. Ambient rain surrounds the sound stage, as an otherworldly, guttural roar penetrates the void. Bass is used heavily to simulate the T-Rex stomping across the island to his potential snack. What more could you want?

Time Code: 1:09:33
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1

Raining in Cairo

Universals’ remake of the classic horror story has been given an overhaul into the 20th Century, courtesy of our friends at George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic special effects studio. In this demo-worthy scene, the Mummy decides to rain down fiery rocks from the heavens that devastate the Egyptian scenery. The missiles move their way from the rears into the front speakers, bottomed out by some rather low bass energy. It’s a pretty short scene, but a good one!

Time Code: 0:48:28
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Alien Attack!

The 1950’s alien attack movies get an equally b-grade update in Roland Emmerichs’ special effects bonanza. In a scene that assures us that the aliens don’t come in peace, New York City, followed soon after by seemingly every other US state, is blown apart. Thankfully, we are spared the sight of the twin towers, so we can still enjoy the effects without feeling guilty. The image is very clear and well defined, and all surround speakers are brought into action. The bass will pound your very thought processes.

Time Code: 0:07:16
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Hostage Destruction

The film that was taken away from cinemas in a post September 11th wake, Swordfish is a suspenseful romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The opening scenes that serve as a flashback, clearly establishes John Travolta as the villain of the piece. As the explosion rips across 360 degrees, ‘Matrix’ style, the special effects destruction whoosh past, enveloping the sound stage and the home theatre. There is a reason why Village Roadshow chose this very scene to demo DVD at the beginning of their DVDs.

Time Code: 1:57:22
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Harrier Take Off

Arnold Schwarzenneggers’ last great movie is a wonderfully tongue in cheek flick, courtesy of self-appointed ‘king of the world’, James Cameron. In this scene, unstoppable Arnie shows his inability to take off a Harrier Jet. Bass is powerfully evident as the jet attempts to take off, crushing a police car in the process.

Time Code: 0:56:32
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 EX

The Pod Race

The most famous scene of George Lucas’ maligned ‘masterpiece’ is undoubtedly this. Ever wanted to fly at 900 kilometres an hour? The pod race scene shows many different alien races all attempting to get win place in this race with a difference, through the use of numerous destructive tactics. The formula one, on steroids soundtrack by Star Wars regular, Ben Burtt, is incredibly bass heavy, which you can feel more than hear, in addition to the constant panning of the racers through all speakers. Definitely one to crank loudly.