Red Planet 4K Ultra HD

"Red Planet" provides an exciting glimpse into a future where humankind's last hope for survival rests on escaping the bounds of Earth and colonizing the cosmos. In the not-to-distant future, the ecological crisis on Earth has taken a turn for the worse, and humanity's only hope may lie in seeking refuge on neighbouring Mars. After years of unmanned missions to terraform the planet, a crew of astronauts aboard Mars-1 are finally sent to establish Earth's first Martian colony. But a giant solar flare sends their landing module crash-landing on the planet, leaving our pioneers stranded in a harsh crimson wasteland. As the crew battle the elements and rising inner tensions, they soon discover that Mars newly formed atmosphere has had unexpected and terrifying consequences. (Gary Reber)

Special features include "The Martian Chronicles" new interview with Visual Effects Supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun (HD 21:51), "Shuiting Up" new interview with helmet and suits designer Steve Johnson (HD 10:45), "Angry Red Planet" new visual retrospective with film critic Hearth Holland (HD 18:42, nine deleted scenes (HD 14:24), theatrical trailer, reversible sleeve and illustrated collector's booklet.

The 2.39:1 HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on 35 mm Kodak and Fujifilm film using the Panavision Panaflex camera system and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate. The original 35 mm camera negative was scanned in 4K/16 bit resolution at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging and restored by Arrow Films..Film grain exhibits a smooth texture that is very filmic and never objectionable. Peter Suschitzky's cinematography is often quite stunning with vivid photography and image depth. The Mars production design is orange rock and dirt amidst a hilliness environment and an area of rich greens. The landscape appears absolutely not inviting or livable. The Mars-1 spacecraft is an engineering marvel and displays numerous gadgets, lighted switches, and effective lighting effects, The color palette exhibits nicely saturated hues. Mars displays an orange-sepia tinted saturation on the landscape and the astronauts walking about. The interior of Mars-1 appears perfectly natural in terms of structure and furnishing attributes. Flesh tones appear natural under varying light. HDR contrast is excellent both on the spaceship and on Mars. Resolution is excellent throughout. Facial features, especially during closeups, reveal detail in complexions, skin pores, beard stubble and hair. Costumes and spacesuits are nicely textured. Set structures and machinery attributes of Mars-1 and the AMEE robot exhibit excellent textural detail This is a well crafted science fiction presentation that is visually fascinating and compelling. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic with aggressive sound effects boosted at times with deep bass and .1 LFE energy. Atmospherics, such as prominent howling winds on Mars and the constant environmental mechanical hum on Mars-1, are effective sound field effects. Foley sound effects are precise and enhance realism. Graeme Revell's dynamic orchestral/coral score is spread wide and deep on the frontal soundstage with enveloping extension to the surrounds. Surround energy is rather constant with aggressive directionality. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with generally good spatial integration. The narration moments also are clear and nicely integrated. This is an effectively dynamic presentation with at times powerful and intense sound effects and atmospherics that fully engage the sound field. (Gary Reber)