Action/Adventure/War

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The Last Airbender (PG)

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The Last Airbender (PG)

Making full use of nature’s elements to showcase the level of sound fluidity from your surround system, The Last Airbender is definitely not one to be taken lightly. The seamless flow of atmospheric sounds are well-noted through your surround channels and accurately transforms your room’s life to suit the screen’s activity. Battles are portrayed with a dramatic flair of power and intensity to unlock the might of your subwoofer(s). Amour clashing and unleashing of each supernatural powers are not only outstandingly reproduced but, excellently layered on top of one another to provide an overall 3D soundscape.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Lost in Space (TV-PG)

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Lost in Space (TV-PG)

SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 (01:18 - 06:00)

An excellent scene to test how clean as well as complete your surround sound system can sound. Pay attention to the crystal-clear dialog at the start, followed by a distinct beep coming from the left of you. Then, notice the subtle change in the crew’s voices as soon as they put on their space helmets. Next, there would be a very sudden loud, shocking crash that intensifies everything. Look out for the space debris that whiz past your ears.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Okja (TV-MA)

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Okja (TV-MA)

Netflix’s first toe-dip in Dolby Atmos features a sonically delightfully immersion with a simple yet compelling storyline. Deliberate separation in sounds creates a lush soundscape environment that springs life to stir emotions in Okja’s fight. Every flicker, steps, and even breaths are programmed to envelop you into its finesse. Clarity in dialogues grips onto you with a desire to engage you. Environmental sounds splashes across with first-class details that intertwine with one another to fully display what Dolby Atmos can do.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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The Old Guard (R)

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The Old Guard (R)

(8:27 - 9:30) , (36:13 - 43:55)

Helicopter flying overhead? Check. Fight scene that circles around you? Check. The scenes listed are like your guide to what a good surround sound journey is like. Within the first 10 minutes of the movie, you will experience what it is like to be in a helicopter with a crew that has a deadly objective, with suspenseful music and the sound of helicopter rotors being perfectly translated into your room. Hear and feel the constant rumble and drone of the airplane in the background, as the cast engages in a heated exchange that quickly turns messy through your center channels. You will suddenly find yourself in the center of furious hand-to-hand combat action, with the sound of each blow being replicated to the T by your surround speakers. All this happens while adrenaline-pumping music thumps through your subwoofer(s) to inject the needed dose of excitement into the action.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Outside the Wire (R)

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Outside the Wire (R)

From the Studio that brought The Old Guard and Extraction, this movie is all about futuristic killer droids and military machines with deadly firepower and accuracy. The sound of heavy arms and metadors in all-out gunfights will excite and pound your house down through your subwoofers, with enough squelch effects and bloody fight scenes happening across all surround channels to make you squirm, as the futuristic droid takes every opportunity to show what it is truly capable of.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Pacific Rim (PG-13)

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Pacific Rim (PG-13)

Fans of Neon Genesis Evangelion will either hate or love this movie but, there is no denying that it features some of the best robot surround sounds. The clarity of the mechanical whirring and every creak shines though, regardless if it is merely programmed to be a background mood enhancement or designed to be the leader of your center channels’ show. With building-sized robots, of course, there will be larger-than-life battles that will test your subwoofer(s) ability to reproduce every ground-shaking fall and explosion accurately.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (PG-13)

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Pirates of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (PG-13)

No part of this soundtrack suggests dead. Penetrating depth of sounds can be observed in this installment of Pirates of the Caribbean. Lucid details of every frequency, be it high or low, demands for your attention in the most belligerent way possible, and all done without overshadowing one another. The exceptional separation of each sound detail virtually creates and sets the eeriness of the mood in perfect synchronization when Davy Jones plays his gothic piano during a turbulent storm at sea. Every “aye” is heard with pinpoint definition and echoes are delivered with realistic sound vigor that seamlessly travels from one speaker to the next.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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The Polar Express (G)

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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: ⭐ ⭐

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Predators (R)

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Predators (R)

The Alien vs Predators series is an exciting movie classic that never fails in delivering exhilarating action, and this sequel is no different. Mercenaries of various tough backgrounds suddenly found themselves in an unknown world filled with deadly, cunning monsters, forcing them to work together with the limited firepower they have to survive another day. With our best mercenaries going against the ever-adapting predators, expect the impact of every shot and explosion to be felt through your surround channels. The rustling of leaves in a forest filled with death will come through your surround channels, subtly gearing every listener towards high alert against the deadly predators.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

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Project Power (R)

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Project Power (R)

Fiery escapes, intense armed combat, and stunning visual effects are just some of what this Netflix Originals have to offer. Your subwoofer(s) will not shy away and take on the ferocity of the explosive sequence, head-on. Ambient mumbles are carefully layered on top of other effects to bring life out of the visual presentation. Colors are as boldly presented as the engineered sound - which creates a tight immersion relationship to drown you in a myriad of non-stop action. Center channels display a seamless flow of energizing dialogue that is rendered rich and clear. Combat segments will allow marveling at its unhesitating and clean sweep. It is definitely powered loaded, so be sure that your surround system is fully armed to take it on.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐⭐⭐

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The Punisher (TV-MA)

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The Punisher (TV-MA)

S3E8 (39:15 - 41:33)

Adapted from Marvel's comic book series, this wows right from its pilot episode. Sound effects from shots fired between the moving car and motorcycle immediately draw you into the scene with every impact clearly heard. Tires screeching seamlessly draws the perfect curve from speaker to speaker. Just mere minutes after a chaotic exchange, a huge contrast in the absence of sound will have anyone jump out of their seat when a shot from a sniper delivered through your channels.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐

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Ready Player One (PG-13)

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Ready Player One (PG-13)

A community favorite, this movie is no stranger to surround movie buffs! It features EVERYTHING a surround sound fan can ever ask for – plus, a healthy dose of nostalgia that firms this film as a classic surround sounds movie go-to! The VR car racing scene that Wade competes in literally had us bopping our heads to the “Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Hate Myself for Loving You “whilst, marveling at the whirring vehicle transformation from the surround speakers. Background revving is noticeable clear in their respective distances and as the cityscape transforms, your surround speakers will highlight all the motions while your subwoofer(s) will play complement in the final thump, before the gun fires from top-down to signify the start of the race. Motors speeding and revving will drift around you and cause literal goosebumps. Listen up for the familiar clinking sounds of coins collection from arcade games and feel King Kong’s wrath filling your floor with warm undistorted bass

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Red Notice (PG-13)

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Red Notice (PG-13)

Armed with a star studded cast, featuring Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds, this Netflix movie became the most watched film on Netflix during its debut weekend, and for good reason! The movie's huge production budget translated into fast-paced, yet entertaining action on screen that makes great use of your surround speakers, as a tussle ensures in the fight to claim ownership of a priceless bejeweled art piece.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Salt (PG-13)

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Salt (PG-13)

Used correctly, salt enhances flavor, and this movie, embodies it to give the word, “action” a touch of its excellence. From heroic stunts across fast-moving vehicles to seemingly impossible escapes, you will find yourself absorbed into the action, especially with the lifelike sounds of smashing windows and gunshots whizzing past you from all your available surround channels. Keen and active dialogue comes through your center channels to provide a well-rounded surround experience.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Saving Private Ryan (R)

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Saving Private Ryan (R)

CHAPTER 2 (05:49 - 13:04)

This scene is perfect for any surround system. Not only is it one of the most iconic war movie scenes of all time, but it is also widely accredited to be one of the best works of surround sound engineering. As the scene begins, the large sea waves result in deep rumbles of low frequencies. As it switches to the soldiers inside the boat, you will hear the spacious ambient effects of the sea all around you. During the battle, the sounds of bullets whizzing past you, flying debris, stunning explosions, soldiers shouting frantically and heavy machine gunfire from various firing points nearby and faraway will keep you at the edge of your seat.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Shang Chi (PG-13)

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Shang Chi (PG-13)

With both Shang Chi and the villain being skilled in weaponry kung fu, the whoosh of powerful-packed fist and dagger battles, energy, and magic-based effects, as well as it's resulting carnage will show off the might and finesse of your surround sound system. Widely recognized as one of 2021's successful movie blockbusters, this is a movie not to be missed!

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Sicaro (R)

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Sicaro (R)

While gun fires and explosions are expected in this white knuckle thriller, this classic war-on-drugs movie springs an element of surprise in absolute surround immersion. Numerous action driven scenes note not only thumping soundtracks that increase your heart rate, but also, subtle kicks of atmospheric directional sounds that challenges your surround speakers to pick up and create the claustrophobic environment you see on screen. High-contrast moments in sound dynamics will bombard your environment with maximum blows through the available speakers. It truly tests how well they can handle sharp sudden blows in frequencies while preserving the sounds’ pristine clarity in the respective channels.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13)

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Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13)

Loaded with a ton of in-air action, the whole movie swings in at full force with superb coordination between what is on-screen and what is translated through your surround system. With discrete surround speakers, you will be able to discern every motion, no matter the distance. Every mechanical whirring impresses with clarity through the surround channel. Finishing off with a bang, the final encounter with The Vulture will utilize every known channel to send all objects’ sounds (from the explosion) to its respective position, filling your soundstage with not only just in-air atmospheric debris but also, resounding rich rumbles from the ground. This will definitely satisfy your craving for spatial surround effects.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐

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Squid Games (NC16)

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Squid Games (NC16)

Netflix takes Korean dramas to new levels with this original. Hundreds of people are forced into playing a twisted series of games for survival. The winner walks away with a huge cash prize - but everyone else dies with each round. Murderous gunshots are fired within the first round of games, and the sound of bloodspills and blood-curdling shrieks will echo through every speaker channel, evoking chills down your spine.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker (PG-13)

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Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker (PG-13)

This delivers exemplary surround audio in J.J. Abrams’s attempt to conclude decades worth of the Star Wars universe. Apart from the signature sound effects that we love from their plasma-powered lightsabers, this movie serves up an additional challenge for your surround system through Rey’s and Kylo Ren’s high energy lightsaber battle in the midst of a howling thunderstorm. Environmental sounds and sparks from the clashing lightsabers are clearly transmitted through the surround speakers, turning your living room into the battle scene. Leaving no channels idle, the thunderous thuds made by both are noticeable through your subwoofer(s) even with huge crashing waves stealing the spotlight.

IMMERSIVENESS RATING: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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