Predator: Badlands 4K Ultra HD

"Predator: Badlands" is a new chapter in the legendary franchise. Set in the future on a deadly remote planet, the story follows Dek, a young Predator outcast from his clan, who finds an unlikely ally in Thia and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director Dan Trachtenberg, Producer Ben Rosenblatt, Director of Photography Jeff Cutter and Stunt Coordinator Jacob Tomuri; six deleted and pre-visualization scenes with optional commentary (HD 27:37); the featurettes: "Embodying The Predator" (HD 05:43), "Authentic Synthetics" (HD 06:41), "Building The Badlands" (HD 06:53) and "Dek Of the Yautja" (HD 06:11) and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally in anamorphic Apollo Scope using the Arri Alexa Mini LF camera system and sourced from a 4K Digital Intermediate. A 3D conversion was performed by SDFX Studios, Seecubicand Outsyders Technology but no 3D Blu-ray was provided for review. The setting is an alien planet with masterful production design by Ra Vincent and cinematography by Jeff Cutter. The color palette exhibits beautifully saturated hues that are warm and rich. The planet's composition is comprised of lush green foliage , the habitat of incredible creatures that are lethal at every turn. The creatures are unusual and like nothing seen before. The Yautja appear as incredible warriors. Dek is especially outstanding. The androids are the only form that exhibits human features. Flesh tones on androids Thia and Tessa appear humanly natural. The Yautia exhibit brown and dark beige tones. HDR contrast is superb. Black levels are deep. Shadow delineation is revealing of dark shadings. White levels are brightly illuminated and appear realistic with at times, extremely bright highlights. Resolution is excellent. Facial features of Thia, Tessa and the Yautia exhibit fine detail and texture, The costumes are incredibly complex in design with textural features finely detailed. Environmental features and textures are incredibly detailed. This is an amazingly dimensional and cinematic visual experience with incredible creatures, settings and visual effects that are absolutely compelling. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with incredible environmental sound effects that at times are explosive. The voices of the Yautia and the Kalisk are deep and powerful. Atmospherics are creative and unique sounding. But sound effects are the outstanding element. Deep bass is strong and powerful. At times, bass extends to sub-25 Hz in the .1 LFE channel. Soundstage imaging is excellent. Surround energy extends aggressively to envelop the sound field, along with directionality. The orchestra score is haunting and dynamic sounding, with a wide and deep soundstage that aggressively extends to the surrounds. Dialogue, whether that in English or that of the Yautia (with subtitles) is largely ADR produced but with satisfying spatial integration.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an aggressive extension of the music to the height layer as well as o occasional atmospherics, various sound effects, such as thunder and fiery explosive sounds and creature sounds, as well as subtle dialogue. This is an excellent treatment of the height layer that enhances sound field dimensionality.

This is an absolutely amazing holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that is well produced with exciting sonic creativity that results in an exciting dimensional experience. (Gary Reber)