Source France | Publisher : Metropolitan Video | Release date : 1 September 2023
Video format
2160p24 – Ratio 2.40
Dolby Vision / BT.2020 – HEVC encoding
Master intermediate 4K (Expendable 3) and 2K
Soundtrack
English Dolby Atmos
English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles
French
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 7 | Video : 8 | Audio : 10
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers that, in addition to the specified and used viewing equipment, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence notation. Moreover, the images in the article are not representative of the edition tested.
Test equipment and condition (Config. HP: 5.1.4)
Video broadcaster : Sony Bravia XR-65A80J (Dolby Vision Luminous)
Sources : Oppo UDP-203 Audiocom Reference | Zappiti Reference
Pregnant : Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar (Dolby Atmos | DTS Neural:X), SVS SB-4000
Contents
Expendables: Special unit, sounds of anarchy
Living on the sidelines of the law, a group of experienced mercenaries accepts a secret CIA-funded operation to infiltrate a South American country, the Vilena, and overthrow its ruthless dictator...
This nostalgic tribute to the action films of the 1980s which brings together the elite of genre cinema yesterday and today (Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, etc.), is a jubilatory entertainment to the shocking scenes of action (it defurles, slices and castagne to all-va) and to the humorous dimension welcome (the cult encounter Willis / Schwarzenegger / Stallone). And if the result is not free of defects (a scenario « excuse » and a montage too cut), we still spend a very pleasant time in the company of these obsessive heroes.
A high level of detail (more subtle than in HD especially in shadows), precision of contours to any test, intense contrasts, a colorimetric palette of great richness and a voluntary grain that pleasantly textures all. And if it's a little more visible than on the Blu-ray, the best compression of this UHD Dolby Vision transfer prevents the opposite from mowing in the background. The colours are more nuanced (blues and greys) and/or warm (red/orange hues), much more realistic lighting (exterior) and brighter (motorbike lights, neon bar/garage/tool tattoo lounge), and dark scenes with much richer blacks. Back from the medal, the few CGIs are now more visible.
Cataclysmic soundtracks (including the most beautiful VF) where explosions, shooting and fighting with bare hands are powerfully distributed across all channels in addition to being judiciously supported by omnipresent bass. On the VO, the input of the rear surrounds (very used during the final explosive) and the speakers dedicated to the Atmos (the vibrations of the Grumman HU-16 Albatross' carling, « Watering » the port area) make it possible to better immerse in the action. A real acoustic fireworks.
Artistic : 7 | Video : 8 | Audio : 10
Expendable 2, war dogs
After an operation that seemed easy but resulted in the death of one of them, Barney Ross's team will try to prevent a dangerous terrorist from seizing five tons of plutonium that can alter the balance of global forces...
With his cast of resurrected old breakers, his hyper-referenced humour (there is even a « Chuck Norris Facts » hilarious), his crazy replicas that often pay tribute to the cult films of each actor and his severely burned action scenes (the inaugural assault and the attack of the airport against the team JCVD are anthological), this new mission of our « Sacrificed » favorite is more fun, more muscular and better led than the previous, even if more simplistic and less well torched, and never hesitates to release heavy artillery to gather the nostalgic movies of action of the 80s. An ultra-jouissive show.
As with his HD counterpart, the artistic wills of the work (the photograph is signed Shelly Johnson) as well as the development problems during the shooting (many blurry planes) do not allow the present UHD Dolby Vision transfer to constantly delight the retina as the rendering constantly oscillates between the mediocre and the sublime. The definition is generally correct, but sometimes it continues to fall drastically, with the sharps fluctuating from one plane to another even though the broad planes and close-ups are much more detailed here (most dirt/dust visible on weapons, clothing and vehicles are not on the Blu-ray), and the deliberately pronounced grain can always turn into tingling (but less often anyway). For the rest, the generally earthy colors are well restored, the contrasts really have a mouth and once is not customary, the CGIs seem better integrated. This 4K disc actually improves the experience experienced in the dark rooms, but the particular rendering of the image will necessarily cause discontent. However, it would be to forget the colder colorimetric palette at the more realistic primary (the green of the leaves), the perfectly blue skies and the more burning explosions (better shades of yellow, red and orange), the brighter light sources (the sun, the flames at the exit of the cannons, the shines on the metal surfaces) and the dark scenes better cut off thanks to deeper blacks.
From bourrine sound tracks (even more the VF) and sometimes even exhausting (but in the right sense of the term) to subtle spatialization (yes yes it is possible), to pyrotechnic effects (blazing) rich and well-handled in space, to omnipresent ambient noises (people speaking, passages of vehicles), to highly solicited surround speakers, to energetic score and devastating bass. The gain in directionality as well as the shoulder of an effective aerial scene (explosions, gunshots, helicopters, music, etc.), allow the Atmos mixing to propel us completely to the heart of the battlefield. It sends heavy, even very heavy!
Artistic : 7.5 | Video : 7 | Audio : 10
Expendable 3, kill the gringo
Barney, Christmas and the rest of the team face a dreadful gun dealer, Conrad Stonebanks, who was once one of the founders of the Expendables...
Less violent but still as abundant in highly spectacular action scenes and in humor referenced, this third opus led by a fairly talented director and carried by an even more extensive casting of stars from Dantan (Antonio Banderas, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson, Wesley Snipes), obviously summons the old breakcards followers of the old school but also the young thumbs (Glen Powell, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey) experts in high-tech, for a clash of cultures and generations that evokes the differences between the Hollywood operators of the 1980s and those of today. As deprecated as it is, this B-series of action is certainly not at the height of its predecessors (it is too sweetened to rub it) but remains rejoicing.
Overall superb (although the CGIs are now much less realistic), this UHD Dolby Vision transfer delivers a state-of-the-art definition, a first-order pique (there is a clear improvement in the details visible for example on the faces with more hollow pores or on the decors with more visible textures), bright colors, sustained contrasts and faultless blacks. Moreover, the noise or blurred planes of its HD counterpart are no longer so. The colorimetric palette increases in vitality (the light plates in the bar, the gilding on Barney's lucky ring, the heat emitted by the flames and/or explosions), the luxuriant lighting (vehicle lights, luminaires, solar radiation), the skys in light (the clouds are larger) and the dark scenes in precision (the shadows are better cut).
Demonstrative soundtracks to the salient dynamic (more in VF), hyper-precision spatialization and rich in micro-details, generous surrounds, explosive score (still and always composed by Brian Tyler) and low vehement. Moreover, as soon as the enlivened scenes point the end of their heavy artillery on the VO, the Atmos scene arrives in reinforcement with a whole bunch of pyrotechnic effects (helicopters, cranes, aircraft, burst fire, missile, etc.) particularly well balanced. Immersion is palpable.
Artistic : 6.5 | Video : 9 | Audio : 10
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