No Time To Die 4K Ultra HD

In "No Time To Die," James Bond (Daniel Craig) has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain (Rami Malik) armed with dangerous new technology. (Gary Reber)

Special features include five featurettes: "Anatomy Of A Scene: Matera" (4K 11:32), "Keeping It Real: The Action Of No Time To Die" (4K 06:15), "A Global Journey" (4K 97:50), "Designing Bond" (4K 11:04) and "Being James Bond" (4K 46:39) and a
Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed in anamorphic Panavision on Kodak Vision3 film stock using the Arriflex 235, Arriflex 435 ES, Arriflex 765, IMAX MKIV, IMAX MSM 9802, Panavision 65 HR , Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL2, Arriflex 235, Arriflex 435 ES, Arriflex 765, IMAX MKIV, IMAX MSM 9802, Panavision 65 HR, Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL2 and Panavision Panaflex System 65 Studio camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. A 3D Conversion was performed by DNEG Stereo but no 3D Blu-ray Disc was provided for review.

Picture quality is superb throughout with an exceptionally filmic feel, exhibiting excellent clarity and sharpness. The color palette is perfectly natural with excellent color grading and saturation and nuanced gamut shadings that excel in texture depth and realism. Fleshtones are perfectly natural. Visual effects are exciting and very effective. HDR contrast is well balanced with realistic weight in deep black levels, revealing shadow delineation and bright luminous white levels exhibited in lighting effects throughout and in the opening snow scene. Resolution is exceptionally excellent with fine detail exhibited in facial features such as complexions, skin pores, facial lines, hair and beard stubble, as well as in clothing and fabrics, and object texture that heightens the resolution attributed to the production design and settings. This is a fabulously visually arresting picture that impresses and will thrill James Bond fans. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack exhibits superb fidelity throughout among every sound element, except for dialogue, which is largely ADR produced and enhanced with low-frequency bouts, which at times causes intelligibility problems. Atmospheric sound effects are naturally realistic and nicely integrated. Sound effects are intense but perfectly integrated into the soundtrack with precise transient response and deep bass extension, at times to sub-25 Hz frequencies. The bass provides excellent depth to the music and action effects. There is a lot of gunfire, which sounds realistic and intense. Surround activity is constant and at times subtle, as well as aggressive, directionalized and enveloping. In a scene Bond's Aston Martin is peppered by gunfire with the barrage of bullets emanating from throughout the soundfield. The bullets hit the car's bulletproof glass with incredible depth and power. Hans Zimmer's orchestral score is wonderful and presented with a very dynamic and wide soundstage presence that extends to the surrounds. The opening theme sounds as fantastic as the score throughout.

The Immersive Sound element is disappointing with height layer sonics limited to some bird chirping and subtle wind, surf and din, Bond speaking through earsonics to a female agent, an overhead airplane, rattling sounds of the interior of a cargo plane, more subtle din later on, bunker doors closing and rockets in the air. Far, far more atmospherics and sound effects could have been extended to the height layer to make for a compelling Immersive Sound presentation.

This is a darker Bond movie that delivers a tremendous holosonic® ear-levell surround experience that sounds very dynamic. (Gary Reber)