bertz

5

This Blu-ray set comes with two dual-layer discs, packing in both the original film Unbroken and its sequel Unbroken Path To Redemption, both rooted in the true story of Louis Zamperini, a Christian Olympic athlete turned WWII POW. Neither flick got the 4K Ultra HD treatment, sticking with solid 1080P Blu-ray quality. The first film, Unbroken, made waves with audiences across the board, Christian or not, pulling in over $163 million on a $65 million budget, so Universal definitely scored a hit. It chronicles Louis’s journey from Olympic fame to enlisting in the Army Air Corps before WWII, flying bombing missions over Japan, then surviving a harrowing 47 days adrift at sea after a crash. He prays to God for survival, promising to dedicate his life if spared, only to be captured and endure brutal conditions in Japanese POW camps where beatings and war crimes were rampant. His faith and sheer willpower keep him going until liberation. This movie resonates with vets and faith-based viewers alike, offering a gritty yet non-preachy look at survival and resilience, making it a solid PG-13 watch for anyone interested in the realities faced by WWII soldiers. Visually, the Blu-ray shines with crisp 1080P video and vibrant colors, using about 42.6GB of disc space and an aspect ratio of 2.40:1, while the audio dazzles with a Dolby ATMOS track that, even when played in 7.1 TrueHD due to equipment limits, delivers immersive sound that puts you right in the cockpit or the camp. The disc also includes English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles. Extras are plentiful and engaging, featuring deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes features, and heartfelt testimonies about Louis’s transformation after a Billy Graham crusade, where he forgives his tormentors and turns his life around, quitting drinking and smoking. Overall, Unbroken is a powerful, well-crafted film with top-notch picture and sound quality, highly recommended for both believers and general audiences. The sequel, Unbroken Path To Redemption, produced by Pure Flix with a much smaller $6 million budget, picks up where the first left off, focusing on Louis’s struggles with PTSD, alcoholism, and a rocky marriage before his spiritual rebirth at the same Billy Graham event. While it didn’t bring back the original cast or crew (except producer Matthew Baer), it dives deeper into Louis’s faith journey, which some might find a bit preachy but others will appreciate. The sequel’s action is dialed down, reflecting post-war life, but it’s compelling in its own right, showing Louis forgiving his former captors and becoming a missionary in Japan. On Blu-ray, it boasts excellent 1080P video quality with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and a high bit rate around 35-37Mbps, but the audio steps down to a solid 5.1 DTS-HD Master track instead of Dolby ATMOS, which still sounds great but lacks the wow factor of the original’s immersive soundscape. Subtitles are again available in English SDH, Spanish, and French. The extras include making-of features, interviews, and music videos, all in crisp 1080P, adding nice context and depth to the story. In sum, while the sequel can’t match the production scale or audio sophistication of Unbroken, it offers a heartfelt, faith-centered continuation that’s highly recommended for fans of the first movie and those interested in the spiritual side of Louis Zamperini’s life.

jjbjr

4

Awesome flick for the whole family! Snagged it for my little 3-year-old, and honestly, she was totally hooked from start to finish!

reibureibu

4.5

Honestly, I’m all in on this flick. The performances, the rhythm, and the way it builds suspense blow most movies in this genre out of the water. Corey Haim and Gary Busey vibe off each other in a way that feels real and electric. Sure, the special effects can be a little rough around the edges, but it’s nowhere near the nightmare some folks make it out to be. Plus, the sci-fi disc comes packed with some seriously cool bonus features that are worth digging into. I’m giving the movie a solid B and the BluRay a bit higher at B+. If you want to catch a few more thoughts, swing by my quick video on the VFR Zen channel on YouTube.

aksually

4

Coyote Ugly is one of those flicks you secretly love to watch, even if it’s totally predictable. The plot’s pretty much the classic tale of a young songwriter chasing her big dreams in New York City, but instead, she’s stuck slinging drinks at a bar while waiting for her shot—spoiler, it’s not exactly groundbreaking stuff. Honestly, the real fun comes from watching the gorgeous bartenders work their magic both on and behind the bar. My personal fave has gotta be Cammie, aka “The Russian Tease,” who totally owns the screen. Plus, the soundtrack’s a nice surprise, featuring some killer tunes penned by the legendary Diane Warren and sung by Leann Rimes, who even pops up for a quick cameo. So yeah, it’s far from a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s definitely a solid pick if you’re after some eye candy and a chill vibe to toss on your Blu-Ray shelf. The picture and sound quality are surprisingly crisp, making the whole experience pretty enjoyable. Totally recommend it if you’re in the mood for something light and fun.