BLU-RAY REVIEW

5th Wave, The

Featured In Issue 207, June 2016

Picture4.5
Sound5
WSR Score
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
47062
(MPAA Rating):
PG-13
(Rating Reason):
Violence and destruction, some sci-fi thematic elements, language, and brief teen partying.
(Retail Price):
$$34.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
112
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
5/3/2016
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
J. Blakeson
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Subtitles):

Four waves of increasingly deadly alien attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie (Moretz) is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother (Arthur). As she prepares for The inevitable and lethal 5th Wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final help—if she can only trust him. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director J. Blakeson and Chloé Grace Moretz; five featurettes: Inside The 5th Wave (HD 14:26), Sammy On The Set (HD 06:57), The 5th Wave Survival Guide (HD 02:11), Training Squad 53 (HD 05:09), and Creating A New World (HD 05:58); a gag reel (HD 03:17); 11 deleted scenes (HD 25:10); sneak peak excerpt of The Last Star by Rick Yancey; upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.39:1 1080p AVC picture exhibits a natural color palette throughout, with good fleshtone hues and otherwise seemingly accurate colors. Occasionally, a bright primary will be seen, but otherwise the tone is more subdued with grays and blues. The forest scenes are earthly rendered, for a natural look. Interiors are well balanced and never exaggerated. Contrast is also nicely balanced with deep, natural blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail exhibited in textures, close-ups of facial features and hair, and in clothing and uniforms. The imagery is nicely rendered throughout, for a pleasing visual experience. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel soundtrack is quite dynamic sounding in parts, especially during the onslaught of the mounting waves of destruction and fear, with extended .1 LFE bass energy in the sub-25 Hz range. During such sequences, SPL is quite intense, and the surrounds are fully energized and directional. Atmospherics sound natural, which enhances the sense of realism. Sound effects can be quite intense at times, such as in explosions, which tend to fully energize the soundfield. The music score is characterized by orchestral and electronic scoring and fully engage the surrounds and soundfield. Fidelity is quite good. Dialogue is intelligible throughout, with good spatial integration. Overall, this is an effective sonic experience that at times sounds holosonic®. (Gary Reber)