Additionally, flesh tones are highly realistic. Blacks are a perfect pitch black and the image boasts excellent contrast under all lighting conditions. This highly atmospheric mix does subtle sound effect placement really well, making the creepiness of certain scenes even more off-putting. Channel separation is excellent across both the forward soundstage and the split surrounds. The sound designers really take advantage of the discrete nature of Dolby Digital during those moments when the hero touches the ethereal plane, having sounds to swirl around the viewer creating an otherworldly effect.
Dialogue is well recorded and reproduced, with everything maintaining complete intelligibility.
There is little need for the lowest octaves of the bass channel, but the track never sounds shallow. The interactive menus are nicely designed and feature animation, sound and full motion video. Through the menus, one can access the expected scene selection feature as well as the DVD s supplements. Director David Koepp supplies a very good audio commentary that mixes both the personal and technical sides of the film s production. Recommended to them and anyone who likes a good scare.