Challengers

"Challengers" stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist ), Tashi's strategy for her husband's redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O'Connor) –– his former best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win. (Gary Reber)

Special features include a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on 35mm Kodak Vision 3 film stock in Super 35 using the Arricam LT, Arricam ST, Arriflex 235 and Arriflex 435 camera systems and sourced from a 2K Digital Intermediate. Film grain is smooth and never distracting. The color palette exhibits perfectly natural hues that are not overly saturated. At times, hues pop but for the most part colors are realistic and well balanced, The greens of the tennis court are realistic as well at colorful tennis attire. Flesh tones are natural with good complexion delineation. Contrast is well balanced and realistic with natural black levels and revealing shadow delineation. White levels are natural considering the outdoor overcast sky conditions. The imager is slightly soft but resolution during closeups is far more detailed in facial features, clothing, tennis rackets, and other object textures. This is a realistic sports drama with pleasing visuals. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dialogue and tennis game focused. Atmospherics are perfectly natural and enhance the realism of the settings, both on the court and in real life. Sound effects, such as the transient bass boost at every tennis stroke, provide some excitement. Foley sound effects are precise. Surround envelopment is enveloping and includes atmospherics and the music and choral score. The score is diverse and nicely dynamically loud with a strong deep rhythmic presence and occupies a wide and deep soundstage that extends to the four surrounds. Dialogue is intelligible throughout and for the most part projects good integration.

The Immersive Sound element is very weak and ineffective with sporadic subtle din/crowd sounds and one instance of subtle music and a ball scraping the net sound effect. This is not the first soundtrack that should have never been credited as Dolby Atmos as there is NO meaningful, if any at all, height layer sound placement.

This is a compelling ear-level holosonic® soundtrack with a terrific music score and atmospherics and sound effects that deliver realism, but their is no effective height layer. (Gary Reber)