Sonic The Hedgehog 2 4K Ultra HD

"Sonic The Hedgehog 2" (voiced by Ben Schwartz), aka The Blue Blur because of his incredible speed, embraces his new home on Earth settling in Green Hills. Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles (Idris Elba), in search of an emerald thst has the power to destroy civilization. Sonic teams with his own sidekick, Tails (Collene O'Shaughnessey) and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director Jeff Fowler and the voice of Sonic, Ben Schwartz; the animated short "Sonic Drone Home" (HD 05:19), seven deleted and extended scenes (HD 17:17); bloopers )HD 03:18); music video: Kid Cudi––Stars In The Sky (HD 03:06); five featurettes: "Finding Your Team" (HD 06:31), "The Powerful Puncher: Knucklesz" (HD 05:43), "Rapid Fire Responses With Ben Schwartz" (HD 03"20), "Robotnik Reimagined" (HD 05:37) and "A Sibling For Sonic: Tails" (HD 04:46) and a digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/Dolby Vision picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally in anamorphic Panavision® using the Arri Alexa Mini LF and Red Komodo camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Color fidelity is excellent wth a wide spectrum of nuanced and deep hues that exhibit color accuracy and realism. Primaries are strong and vivid. Sonic's blue physicality is nicely saturated with other accents such as his furry chest, body, and red shoes. The blues that define Sonic are rich and warm as are the golden hues of Tails and the oranges that define Knuckles. The animation is amazing in parts exhibiting vivid colors that pop. Facial tones appear accurate, HDR contrast is excellent with well defined black levels and shadows, as well a bight white levels. Resolution is superb throughout and exhibits fine detail in facial features such as the lines and the mustache on Dr. Robotnik's face and the body features of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. Object textures and atmospherics are realisticaly defined. Clothing is perfectly detailed as well. This is a vividly compelling visual experience that is sure to please fans of Sonic The Hedgehog. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with loads of sound effects. The orchestral score is quite active but a bit compressed while delivering extensively aggressive dimensionality and surround envelopment. Surround energy is extensive and energetic, and at times directonalized. Bass is intense and extends to sub-25 Hz frequencies, especially during the foot movement of Dr. Robotik's robot. Sonic's speedy slips and zooms are always amplified and are panned throughout the soundfield. Dialogue is heavily ADR-produced and forward sounding, though, intelligible throughout.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of the orchestra score extended to the height layer, plus numerous panned sound effects, such as explosive sounds, whizzing sounds, speeding vehicles, an alarm, wind effects, helicopter-type sound of Tails, thunder and lighting, powerful bangs, rocket ship entering Earth's gravity, swishing, sounds on snow slopes and numerous other intense sound effects. This is a very effective height layer presentation that provides excellent spherical surround immersion.

This is very active and fun holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack with loads of dynamic sound effects to energize Sonic's and Dr. Robotnik's presence and antics. (Gary Reber)