Cutthroat Island 4K Ultra HD SteelBook

"Cutthroat Island" is a tidal wave of nonstop action and adventure in this swashbuckling saga of ruthless pirates, buried treasure, and bloodthirsty betrayal. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary from Director Renny Harlin; "Ecce Pirate": a short film by Matthew Modine,; six featurettes: "The Adventure Of A Lifetime: Making Cutthroat Island", "Charting The Course: Creating Cutthroat Island", "Across The Bow: Editing Cutthroat Island", "Summon Your Courage: Scoring Cutthroat Island", "Behind The Scenes" and "Interviews" (HD ); a making-of featurette; storyboards; original trailer and a digital copy.

The 2.35:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photograph on 35mm film stock in anamorphic Panavision® using Arriflex, Panavision Panaflex Lightweight and Panavision Panaflex Platinum camera systems and sourced from a 4K Digital Intermediate. The restoration is a sharp transfer with a very thin veneer of film grain, which enhances the filmic nature of the imagery.. Production design is wonderful with detail and depth exhibited throughout. The location shooting is beautiful. The color palette is vivid express with rich and warm hues such as the read coats of the Royal Navy officers, deep greens of the jungle foliage, the ocean's turquoise gleam and the blue skies. A ship explosion in one segment is visually spectacular. Nuanced hue shading are exhibited throughout. Flesh tones appear generally natural though at times a bit toward orange . HDR contrast is wide with solid blacks, deep shadows and brilliant white levels. Resolution is superb with detail exhibited in closeup skin texture, hair lines, veins, pores, wrinkles and ground-in dirt and grime. Clothing exhibits clear weaves and tears in fabrics. Object texture detail in wood grain such as the structure of the two full-sized galleons, intricate carvings, and crumbling walls. This is a colorful cinematic visual experience that really looks sharp and detailed. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack features a wonderful score by John Dabney. The occupies a wide and deep soundstage that extends aggressively to the surrounds for an enveloping experience. Atmospherics and environmental sounds are bold at times, such as birds panned around the soundfield Battle scenes are enhanced with solid Foley sound effects including the clanging of swords. Explosions are convincing as powder kegs burst and send out splintering debris enhanced with deep bass attack. Dynamics overall deliver solid, room-shaking LFE enhancement as a ship crashes through a thunder storm and during battles segments with cannon balls and musket gunshots. Discrete separation with the mix is excellent. Dialogue is intelligible but largely ADR produced and forward sounding. Overall, this is a thrilling and satisfying Holosonic® soundfield experience that brings to life the world of pirates. (Gary Reber.