Superman 4K Ultra HD

When "Superman" is drawn into conflicts both abroad and at home, his actions to protect humankind are questioned, and his vulnerability allows tech billionaire and master deceiver Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) to leverage the opportunity to get Superman (David Corenswet) out of the way for good. Will the Daily Planet’s intrepid reporter Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), together with the aid of Metropolis’s other metahumans and Superman’s own four-legged companion, Krypto, be able to help Superman before Luthor can completely destroy him? (Gary Reber)

Special features include 10 featurettes: "Krypto Saves the Day!: School Bus Scuffle" (HD 5:32), "Adventures In Making Superman (HD 60:00), "Icons Forever: Superman’s Enduring Legacy (HD (6:05), "Lex Luthor: The Mind Of A Master Villain" (HD 5:18), "Kryptunes: The Music Of Superman" (HD 6:31), "Paws To Pixels: Krypto is Born" (HD 5:54), "Breaking News: The Daily Planet Returns" (HD 5:23), "The Ultimate Villain" (HD 5:30), "The Justice Gang" (HD 10:37) and "A New Era: DC Takes Off" (HD 4:53) and a Movies Anywhere digital copy

The 1.90:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Red Komodo, Red V-Raptor and Phantom Flex4K-GS camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. A 3D conversion was performed b DNEG but no 3D Blu-ray was provided for review. Picture quality is stunning with a dynamic vividness and dimensionality. Settings are interiors and exteriors in a future time. Everything appears plausibly natural. Henry Braham's cinematography is wonderful and Beth Mickle's production design is impressively imaginative. Visual effects are incredible. The color palette is vivid with saturated natural hues that are warm and rich. Colors appear solid such as Superman's red cape and attire. Other colors are dynamic with a wide gamut that exhibits intricate hue shadings. The lighting design is dynamic with numerous scenes that intensely illuminate. As such, flesh tones are impacted which, at times, stylizes skin tones, particularly on Loris Lane's face. But other complexions appear perfectly natural. HDR contrast is wide. Black levels are deep and textured. Shadows during dark scenes exhibit detail and depth. White levels are brightly illuminated. The imagery throughout stretches the boundaries of contrast and result in a dynamic visual experience. Resolution is superb with fine detail exhibited throughout in tight closeups and wide shots with sharp and clear imagery. Facial features exhibit detail in complexions, character appearance attributes, skin pores, lines, beards and hair. the dog Crypto appears realistic. Environmental habitats and backdrops are clear and defined. Object textures are nicely detailed, This is a visually striking picture that lights up the screen. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with exciting and intense sound effects that occur during the numerous action scenes. Atmospherics are powerful, but it is the sound effects that are amazing and formidable. Sound effects are supported with powerful bass extension to sub-25 Hz with intense .1 LFE energy. Sound field imaging is well executed. The orchestra/choral score is dynamically powerful as well. The music occupies a very wide and deep soundstage and aggressively extends to energize the four surrounds. The soundtrack's full dynamic range delivers excellent fidelity. Dialogue is mostly ADR produced but generally well executed.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an aggressive extension of the orchestra/choral score, infrequent atmospherics such as strong winds and din, and occasional though effective sound effects that excite and energize the height layer. The music is the prominent sound element but far more treatment of the sound effects and atmospherics would have further enhanced dimensionality.

This is a powerfully exciting holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack with incredible sound effects and a dynamic immersive sound field. This is a perfect challenge to a home theatre system. (Gary Reber)