Borderlands 4K Ultra HD

In "Borderlands," Lilith (Cate Blanchett), an infamous bounty hunter with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home, Pandora, the most chaotic planet in the galaxy. Her mission is to find the missing daughter of Atlas, the universe’s most powerful SOB. Lilith forms an unexpected alliance with Roland (Kevin Hart), a seasoned mercenary on a mission; Tiny Tina (Ariana Greenblatt), a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg, Tina’s musclebound protector; Tannis, the oddball scientist who’s seen it all; and Claptrap (Jack Black), a wiseass robot. Together, this ragtag team goes on a mission to save Tiny Tina, battle alien species, and discover one of Pandora’s most explosive secrets. The fate of the universe could be in their hands — but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other. (Gary Reber)

Special features include seven featurettes: "Borderlands – From Game To Screen" (HD ), "Meet The Team" (HD 04:29), "All Aboard The Death Choochoo" (HD 05:10), "Bringing Borderlands To The Screen" (HD 05:29), "Badonkadonk Time" (HD 05:11), "Fashion And Action On Pandora" (HD 07:37) and "High Tech Hellscapes" (HD 09:17) and a digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa 65 and Arri Alexa Mini LF camera systems and sourced from a 4K Digital Intermediate. The picture exhibits a unique stylistic production design, and costume affair. As such everything is intricate in design. The color palette is extremely wide and vivid with warm and rich hues that are nuanced in shadings. Primaries pop, especially reds. Earth tones also are prominent with reddish rock planet formations and reddish dirt roads. Interior scenes are rich is complexities and color. The finale fireworks celebration is spectacularly colorful. Flesh tones appear naturally hued. HDR contrast is superb with natural black levels, revealing shadows, and well-illuminated scene. The imagery is dimensional with excellent color depth. Resolution is superb. Fine detail is revealed throughout in facial features such as skin pores lines, makeup. hair and facial hair. Costumes are amazingly stylistic with textural resolution, Object texture is extremely varied with complexity exhibited throughout. The imagery is consistently sharp and clear but rather "videoish" in appearance. This is a stunning visual experience with its numerous complex settings, color intensities, and dimensionality. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding. There is a vast expanse of atmospherics and sound effects. Sound effects are comprised of lots of gunfire, from both small and large guns, and explosions. Sound effects, action sequences, and lots of explosions are enhanced with deep and strong .1 LFE bass extension to sub-25 Hz frequencies. Front stereo imaging and soundfield discrete and panned effects occur routinely. The orchestral/choral score is prominent and occupies a wide and deep soundstage that wraps around the soundfield and provides aggressive dimensional surround envelopment. Dialogue is prominent and integration generally is decent.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an extension of the music to the height layer, as well as numerous sound effects, prominent atmospheric din, swirling wind, some nuanced dialogue, small explosions and fireworks. The height layer provides a good measure of constant dimensionality, especially with the application of atmospheric din. But still moe weight to the proceedings would have better enhanced the dimensionality of the soundfield.

This is an amusing action-packed holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that should please fans of the video game genre. (Gary Reber)