- Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
- Video Codec: VC-1
- Resolution: 108op/24
- Audio Codec: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles: English SDH
- Region: A
- Rating: Not Rated
- Discs: 1
- Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
- Blu-ray Release Date: June 8, 2010
- List Price: $29.98
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BestBuy.com:
Purchase 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless on Blu-ray at CD Universe
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Overall
[Rating:3.5/5]
The Film
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2.5/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(Screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG thus are meant as a general representation of the content and do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
The Film
[Rating:4/5]
There are times in life when the journey is more meaningful than the destination and that is the point of 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless. This adventure documentary follows the journey of surfer and climber Jeff Johnson as he seeks to retrace the legendary 1968 trek of Yvon Chouinard (founder of Patagonia apparel) and Doug Tompkins (founder of The North Face and co-owner of ESPIRIT).
Inspired by the journey that took the two men on a road trip in a van through Latin America to Argentina to scale a hazardously towering peak, Johnson embarked on his own adventure that would see him travel the South American coast by boat, end up shipwrecked in Rapa Nui, experience the wildlife of the Galapagos and ascend Cerro Corocavdo.
It would become something of an inner journey, more than just an outward experience to relive his mentors’ long-ago adventure; a challenge of mind, body, and spirit. Captured by director Chris Malloy with marvelously fitting music by Mason Jennings and Jason Mercer of The Shins, 180° South is a travelogue for the soul that is well worth watching. If you’ve seen Into the Wild and enjoyed it, then this is a must see adventure.
Video Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
Multiple sources including archival personal camera footage and loads of slow motions shots mean that 180° South doesn’t necessarily look great all of the time. The beautiful nature shots and vistas are often suppressed by softness of detail, grain, and video noise, but otherwise the video quality is rather acceptable for a documentary of this nature. The presentation does not get in the way of the “feel” of the content, and there are no excessive artifacts to worry about.
Audio Quality
[Rating:3.5/5]
180° South comes with a rather straightforward English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless mix that never really hints at the openness and adventure inherent in the documentary itself. The soundtrack is rather effective, however, at putting forth a clear and precise narration as well as the excellent soundtrack from the members of The Shins. If you don’t go into this one expecting something bombastic, you shouldn’t be disappointed.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2.5/5]
The main focus of the supplemental section is the music that supports this film. The Shins perform in the open, as well as native musicians and it is a treat for anyone who appreciates good folksy tunes.
The supplements provided with this release are:
- The Making of 180° South (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:23.49)
- Deleted Scenes (1.78:1; 480i/60)
- The Music:
- Mason Jennings “Your New Man” (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:04.22)
- James Mercer “Gone For Good” (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:03.39)
- Mason Jennings “Something About Your Love” (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:04.50)
- Chile Music — Part I (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:01.14)
- Chile Music — Part II (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:02.32)
- Chris Malloy Jump Cut — Filming the Score (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:03.00)
- Emmett Malloy Slideshow — Recording the Score (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:02.00)
- Keith Malloy (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:02.53)
- Making of 180° South Music (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:02.53)
- Makohe Sings — Rapa Nui (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:03.12)
- Makohe Sings — Interior (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:02.38)
- Mason Jennings “Something About Your Love” (Bus) (1.78:1; 480i/60; 0:04.16)
- BD-Live
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:3.5/5]
My recommendation is that anyone with a taste for wildlife, adventure, and inner journeys should definitely pick up this inspiring documentary. It is delicately handled by Chris Malloy and beautifully filmed.
Additional Screen Captures:
BestBuy.com:
Purchase 180° South: Conquerors of the Useless on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
