Thor: Love And Thunder 4K UltraHD

In "Thor: Love And Thunder," the God of Thunder (Hemsworth) teams up with King Valkyrie, Korg and ex-girlfriend-turned-Mighty Thor Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) to take on a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale). (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Taika Waititi, four deleted scenes (HD 07:45), a gag reel (HD 02:45), the featurettes "Hammer-Worthy: Thor And The Mighty Thor" (HD 05:36), "Shaping A Villain" (HD 06:11) and "Another Classic Taika Adventure" (HD 07:53), upfront previews; and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 UltraHD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally in anamorphic Panavision® using the Arri Alexa LF IMAX, Arri Alexa Mini LF IM AX and Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL2 camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. A theatrical presentation was presented as a 3D conversion by Stereo D but not released on 3D Blu-ray. The movie was also exhibited in IMAX.

Picture quality is absolutely superb. The picture is clear and sharp. Color fidelity is nuanced throughout with an exceptional wide color spectrum of saturated hues that light up the screen and pop with intensity, yet exhibit warmth and richness. Shadow depth is deep with very dark shadings. HDR contrast is excellent with deep blacks and shadows. White levels are brightly illuminated. Special visual effects are unusually imaginative as well as the production design in the other world environments. Spatial dimensionality is excellent with a convincing three-dimensional effect. There is a scene in black and white, which exhibits excellent gray scale. Impressively detailed throughout, the imagery is mesmerizing with super sharp resolution that displays a vast complexity of nuances. Costumes are rendered with revealing complexity. Flesh tones are revealing of fine detail in lines, pores, makeup and hair. Object textural detail is excellent. As with the previous Thor feature, this is an exceptional visual experience that is incredibly sharp, detailed, and colorful. This is sure to thrill fans. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack features a predominately ADR dialogue. Sound effects galore. The orchestral/choral score is expansive with a dynamic presence. The score though is laid back with an overall background presence, but presented with a wide and deep soundstage that extends to the four surrounds. Foley sound effects enhance the sonics. Bass energy is intense with sub-25 Hz extension that is powerful. there is no shortage of surround content with discrete localized sound effects that dimensionality enhance the creative sound design. Atmospherics nicely complement the engaging set designs, and sound effects are often powerful, with a directional and panned effect extending to the surrounds.

The Immersive Sound element is sporadic though the orchestral/choral score is at times extended to the height layer a well as Thor's hammer crashing sounds and other atmospheric sound effects such as wind, birds and jungle sounds, wispier voices, thunder, crowd chatter, shadowy rumblings, swishes and swoops and other effects. While the elements are effective much was not addressed by the sound designers as there are long sequences of silence in the height channels. Much more could have been done to make the Immersive Sound component more exciting and dimensional.

Still, this is a superb holosonic® experience with impressive fidelity and dimensionality that at times extends to the height channels and delivers fine nuances. (Gary Reber)