George Clooney stars as Captain Billy Tyne, the skipper who takes his men beyond the normal fishing areas just as three weather fronts collide to create one of the most powerful storms in recorded history. The special effects work on this film is visually stunning, with the storm sequences appearing very real, and the difficult to create CGI water hardly ever showing signs of digital trickery. Scenes before the storm in bright sunshine are gorgeous, however the darker, more difficult to render sequences are clear, detailed and precise. Flesh tones appear very realistic, while the overall color balance is firmly grounded in the reality of every situation. More intense hues never show signs of Chroma noise or bleeding.
Blacks are deep and true, plus the image boast very impressive shadow detail and excellent contrast.
The first-rate Dolby Digital 5.1 channel soundtrack is very much the equal of the video presentation in terms of quality. The mix is bold and completely enveloping. There is an aggressive use of all of the discrete channels to create a cohesive sound field that really places the viewer into the center of the storm. In fact, there was a moment or two when I felt my stomach lurch from the sounds storm tossing the boat about. Individual sound effects are cleanly reproduced and distinct, despite the multiple layers of sound.