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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    News Of The World 4K Ultra HD

    Featured In Issue 254, March/April 2021

    Picture5
    Sound4.5
    Immersive3.5
    WSR Score4
    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):
    Universal Studios Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    61213252
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    Violence, disturbing images, thematic material and some language
    (Retail Price):
    $44.98
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-66)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    118
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A
    (Theatrical Year):
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    3/23/2021
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    (Director):
    Paul Greengrass
    (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):
    Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (Subtitles):

    Based on the novel by Paulette Jiles, "News Of The World" follows Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Hanks) five years after the Civil War as he moves from town to town as a non-fiction storyteller, sharing the news from the far reaches of the globe. In the plains of Texas, he crosses paths with a 10-year-old girl (Zengel) taken in by the Kiowa people and raised as one of their own. Kidd agrees to deliver the child where the law says she belongs. As they travel hundreds of miles into the unforgiving wilderness, the two face tremendous challenges of both human and natural forces as they search for a place they can call home. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include commentary with Co-Writer/Director Paul Greengrass; deleted scenes (HD 11:16); four featurettes: "Partners: Tom Hanks & Helena Zengel" (HD 07:01), "Western Action" (HD 07:37), "Paul Greengrass Makes News Of The World" (HD 10:59) and "The Kiowa" (HD 03:57); and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

    The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/HDR 10+ picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa LF and Arri Alexa Mini LF camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. The imagery is pure western delight from scattered wooden town buildings to the open plains, exhibiting warm brownish and earthy hues, with greens of tree foliage. Colors are warm and natural throughout with accurate fleshtones. The wide color palette exhibits fine nuances of shades of hues, which enhances the realism of the western environment. HDR contrast is excellent. The darker scenes exhibit superb shadow delineation with effective natural dramatic lightening. Black levels are deep and natural. Textural resolution is excellent as exhibited in buildings and object textures, such as the wagon the Captain and girl travel in, as well as the clothing worn in the period. Facial features appear accurate. This is a welcome genre and has been produced with loving care. Beautifully natural imagery. (Gary Reber)

    The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is rich in atmospherics and sound effects that convey the sounds of a wagon moving over rough terrain, horses, gunfire and crackling campfires. This provides both directionalized and nuanced surrounds. At one point, the horses gallop and the wagon steers off the path to its destruction, which provides aggressive surround and dynamics. The orchestral score is wonderful and perfectly complementary to the storytelling. The music occupies a wide and deep soundstage that aggressively envelops the soundfield. A powerful sandstorm stirs intense winds and earthly matter completely engulfing the soundfield with holosonic® envelopment. Foley sound effects are perfectly executed.Dialogue is intelligible but largely ADR produced, except for the interior setting in which the spatial integration is natural.

    The Immersive Sound element is limited entirely to the extension of James Howard Newton's orchestral score, which enhances dimensionality when present.

    This is a very realistic-sounding and satisfying soundtrack. (Gary Reber)

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