You would not have expected that a movie targeted at a younger audience to check the box of a good surround sound mix. It displays excellent spaciousness in the various sound effects that include main dialogues, ambient chatters, streetcar chases, and bullets whizzing, to create a larger-than-life soundstage to match the on-screen activity. Dramatic explosion will leave evidence of resounding trails from your subwoofer(s). Swooshes from ambitious circus maneuvers add not only depth in sound but create excitement to enhance the overall circus activity. Listen for the subtly layered ambient effects from your surround channels when happy pop music emanates from your center channels. This movie is perfect to start cultivating your kids’ love for surround sound.
The Polar Express (G)
Who said Christmas movies can't have great surround sound? The realistic huff-puff sounds of the coal-powered train would seemingly bring the polar express right to your living room. The movie also makes great use of the surrounding channels to bring a strong sense of directionality in certain scenes, including the scene of kids sliding through the toy factory chutes, and are sure to put a smile across every listener's face.
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐
The Sound of Music (G)
Effortlessly twirling in to demand the very best from your surround system, this restoration of the old-time favorite is bound to make your feet tap and lips sing. The original 6 track recording is further expanded to demand more out of today’s spatial sound technologies. You will notice that the frontal array has distinct sound object placement that provides your ears a map to track whose voice belongs to whom in the video presentation. Musical notes that flow through your drivers are filled with vigor and energizes the room to create a shoulder-to-shoulder comparison with the on-screen mood. It is a remastered nobody asked for, but desperately in need of, and we are glad, someone took up the challenge of taking this happiest feel-good film to better heights!
IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
WALL-E (G)
If you thought a movie that centres around a forgotten robot could never qualify for having great surround sound, here's a surprise. Nominated and winning multiple awards for it's intricate and detailed sound mix, this movie cleverly makes use of the quieter, seemingly dull moments to realistically recreate the sound and echoes from the crushed litter on otherwise quiet and deserted earth, with romantic 60's music accompanying our isolated robot as he trudges through the day. Later, As the robot chases his newfound partner from outer space, feel love rise in the air, as the direction of this pair of robots whizzing around outer space is clearly replicated and accurate to the direction that each is moving on the screen