Puss In Boots: The Last Wish 4K Ultra HD

Everyone’s favorite leche-loving, swashbuckling, fear-defying feline, "Puss in Boots," returns in a new adventure from the Shrek universe as the daring outlaw discovers that his passion for adventure and heroic missions have taken their toll. Puss has burned through eight of his nine lives, though he lost count along the way. Getting those lives back will send Puss in Boots into the Black Forest to find the mythical Wishing Star on his grandest quest yet. With only one life left, Puss is forced to humble himself and ask for help from his former partner and nemesis: Kitty Softpaws. They are joined in their journey by a chatty and cheerful mutt named Perrito. Together, our trio of heroes will need to stay one step ahead of the fairy tale realm’s craftiest crooks including Goldilocks and the Three Bears. (Gary Reber

Special features include commentary with Director Joel Crawford, Co-Director Januel Mercado, Producer Mark Swift, Editor James Ryan and Head of Story Heidi Jo Gilbert; the short "The Trident" (4K 04:01); six featurettes: "A Cast Of Characters" (4K 13:24), "In The Beginning" (4K 09:12), Jack Horner's Line-O-Rama (4K 01:44) "How To Draw The Purffect Pawtrait" (4K 11:53), How To Make A Paper Perrito" (4K 07:14) and "Kitty Cam" (4K 14:28; three deleted scenes (4K 07:57); "Fearless Hero" lyric video (HD 03:01) and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was animate digitally and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. The animated picture is terrific with a dynamic spread of colors that are vivid and vibrant. The wide color gamut exhibits fine hue shadings. HDR contrast is excellent. Black levels are deep with superb shadings. Shadow delineation also is excellent. White levels are extended with excellent luminance. Colors are warm and rich with strong primaries exhibited at times. Dimensional depth is superb. Resolution is excellent, especially during closeups of the animated characters, their clothes and environments. This is a terrific looking animated feature that is very colorful. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby/TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is lively and dynamic with a holosonic® surround presence that is aggressive. There are lots of accentuated sound effects including Foley sound effects, all perfectly synced to the action on screen. At times, deep bass extends to sub-25 Hz frequencies for a very dynamic effect. Accentuated sound effects are delivered with effective subtleties, as well as atmospherics. Heitor Pereira's cartoonish orchestral score occupies a wide and deep soundstage that aggressively envelops the soundfield. People group voicings are stereoized. Dialogue is directionalized. And while ADR dialogue often sounds forward overall it is believably integrated spatially.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of infrequent sound effects and atmospherics. At one point there is a robust thunder and lighting effect. At times there are brief choral voicings and nuanced music. Far, far more could have been achieved but unfortunately this dimensional element is limited.

This is a really enjoyable and dyanamic holosonic spherical surround soundtrack that does not disappoint. (Gary Reber)