In the fifth season of "The Crown," it's a new decade, and the royal family are facing what may be their biggest challenge yet –– providing their continued relevance in 1990s Britan. As Diana and Charles wage a media war, cracks begin to splinter the royal foundation. (Gary Reber)
Special features include the featurettes "A Royal Transformation" (HD 07:00), "War Of The Waleses" (HD 10:06) and "Script To Screen" (HD 07:25).
The 2.00:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally and sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate. As with the previous season's picture quality is superb across the four Blu-ray discs that house the fifth season. The imagery is impressively clear and very finely detailed, allowing wonderful glimpses of the various locales, most all of them luxurious and well appointed with intriguing textural appreciation. Color fidelity is excellent with rich and warm hues that are vivid and bold throughout. The color palette is simply amazingly realistic. Primaries exhibit natural intensity and nuanced hue shadings. Flesh tones are perfectly rendered. Facial detail is superior as exhibited in fine lines, hair and makeup compositions. The imagery is wonderfully and infinitely sharp throughout. Contrast is well balanced with crisp whites, deep blacks and revealing shadow delineation. This presentation is sure to again wow fans of the series with compelling imagery throughout. (Gary Reber)
The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is nicely crafted throughout with wonderful, realistic dynamics whether in hushed interiors or lively gatherings and outside events. Sound effects enhance the realism of the various settings. Atmospherics are precise throughout as are the Foley sound effects, which enhance realism. Surround energy is supportively enveloping and at times directionalized. The orchestral score occupies a wide and deep soundstage that aggressively extends to the surrounds. The music is dynamic sounding and envelops the soundfield with exceptional fidelity, clarity of instrumentation and spatial dimensionality. Dialogue is perfectly presented with excellent spatial integration and intelligibility no matter whether in intimate conversations or in outdoor and formal settings. Bass response is complimentary throughout extending to natural sounding deep frequencies. Deep bass often serves as a strong foundation to the music. This is a wonderfully satisfying holosonic® soundtrack that is an amazing audio production that does not disappoint. Reference quality throughout. (Gary Reber).