BLU-RAY REVIEW

The King's Man 4K Ultra HD

Featured In Issue 259, January/February 2022

Picture5
Sound5
Immersive3
WSR Score5
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):
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
158868
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Sequences of strong/bloody violence, language, and some sexual material
(Retail Price):
$39.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-66)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
131
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
ABC
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
2/22/2022
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Matthew Vaughn
(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):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Subtitles):

Set during WWI, "The King’s Man" tells the exhilarating origin story of Kingsman, the world’s very first independent intelligence agency. As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions across the globe, one man and his associates must race against time to stop them. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the documentary "The King's Man: The Great Game Begins" (HD 89:33), the featurettes "No Man's Land: Silent Knife Fight Sequence Breakdown" (HD 15:43) and "Remembrance and Finding Purpose" (HD 26:28), official Red Band trailer 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 digitally in anamorphic Panavision® using the Arri Alexa 65, Arri Alexa Mini LF, Arri Alexa Mini, Arri Alexa SXT, Black Magic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and Blackmagic Design Micro Studio Camera 4K camera systems and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. The early 1900's period settings are wonderfully intricate and realistic. The color palette is nicely saturated with warm and rich hues. Hue shadings are nuanced throughout. Flesh tones are absolutely accurate and natural in appearance. HDR contrast is superb with natural white levels, deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. Lighting effects create wonderful interior settings. Resolution is amazing with the finest detail exhibited throughout whether pertaining to facial features, clothing or object textures. The fine detail can be appreciated in the intricate production deign and in the fabrics of the clothing worn. This remarkable picture quality will be most appreciated on well-calibrated home theatre displays. This is a truly reference quality cinematic picture. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is quite dynamic sounding with deep bass transient support of gunfire and artillery explosions and otherwise sub 25-Hz extension that never sounds exaggerated. The orchestral score nicely envelops with a wide and deep soundstage that extends to the four surrounds to fully envelop the soundfield. Atmospherics are satisfyingly realistic to enhance the period. Foley sound effects are precise and realistic. Sound effects are strong and directionalized, extending to the surrounds.The sound of swords and knives scraping each other during an intense fight scene is absolutely realistic. Dialogue and voiceover is intelligible throughout but ADR produced or body miked, which sounds unnaturally forward.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised solely of the extension of the orchestral score. No atmospherics or sound effects whatsoever. This is so disappointing given the excellent quality of the ear-level soundtrack and the endless possibilities for effective height layer dimensional enhancement.

Otherwise this is terrific ear-level holosonic® soundtrack with orchestral extension for spherical surround support. (Gary Reber)