New to Blu: July 4 – 10

Pacific Rim: Uprising

➢ “Pacific Rim: Uprising was shot digitally in the ARRIRAW codec (at 2.8 and 3.4K) using ARRI Alexa cameras and Panavision anamorphic lenses. It was finished as a 2K Digital Intermediate, upsampled to 4K, and graded for high dynamic range in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It’s presented here on Ultra HD in the 2.39:1 theatrical aspect ratio. The image is very good looking overall, with nicely deep blacks and generally bright highlights. Colours are rich and vibrant, with all the desired pop, and detail is quite nice too. Fine texturing is only moderately-refined, though the anamorphic photography lends a pleasing cinematic quality to the image. There’s also a bit of noise in the upscaling, especially in visual effect shots, but this is a largely satisfying Ultra HD presentation.” — The Digital Bits.

➢ “The image is very sharp, insanely crisp, and displays plenty of dazzling colour, all considering both live action and digital construct elements.  The 1080p resolution reveals as much intimate skin texturing, fabric complexities, sweat, grime, and other character details with supreme ease, while environments, whether complex and somewhat dark interiors or bright daylight exteriors, are both showcases for image clarity and ease of complexity. Probably the most agreeable factor is the maintenance of high-end sharpness and intimate definition through what is often a very complex maze of moving parts, digital and practical alike … This is a very high-quality image from Universal.” — Blu-ray.com.

➢ “The fight against the apocalypse readies for battle with a fantastic, highly-satisfying Dolby Atmos soundtrack that’ll have the house feeling exhausted from the bonkers pandemonium. The screen is continuously showered with a variety of background activity fluidly moving across the three-front channels and convincingly into the front heights, generating a highly-engaging and awesomely broad half-dome soundstage.” — High-Def Digest.

Peter Rabbit

➢ “Peter Rabbit was captured digitally at 3.4K resolution on Arri Alexa XT cameras and completed as a 2K digital intermediate with Dolby Vision high dynamic range in select theatres. Sony’s UHD Blu-ray contains an upscaled 2160p transfer, retaining the film’s theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1, with HDR10 high dynamic range. Even though this is an upscale, this UHD version is a major step upwards from the included Blu-ray. Colours are more vibrant and natural, as expected, resulting in lusher greens in particular. Contrast is also improved, with deeper blacks and brighter whites that are instantly noticeable. There is also a major uptick in detail.” — Home Theater Forum.

➢ “This upscaled 4K release offers a modest upgrade over a perfectly good Blu-ray. Details are a little firmer, certainly not by leaps and bounds but there is a noticeable, but in no way critical, add to overall sharpness. Improvements to the fine complexities of the dirt terrain in the garden are particularly noticeable, while skin textures, clothes, and digital characters enjoy a little more clarity and complexity when compared to the Blu-ray. The 10-bit HDR color palette is hit-or-miss. There’s an added depth to several colours to be sure …. Overall, the movie is notably a little more darkly filtered.” — Blu-ray.com.

➢ “This is a solid looking HD image that can be compared to its 4K UHD counterpart. Detail is sharp and vivid with individual fur from the rabbits and other animals showing nicely on screen. It even moves freely in wind and water. That being said, it could look a little soft in darker sequences. Other live-action facial features, such as wrinkles or makeup blemishes, show up very well … The Blu-ray unfortunately does not come with a Dolby Atmos track, but rather a lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix. It’s quite similar to the Atmos option on the 4K UHD Disc, but it isn’t as open or immersive.” — High-Def Digest.