4K Ultra HD – Edition FR – Warner Bros. - 152 min (In the school of sorcerers) // 161 min (The Chamber of Secrets) // 142 min (The prisoner of Azkaban) // 157 min (The Fire Cup) // 139 min (Order of the Phoenix) // 153 min (The Prince of Blood-Mêlé) // 146 min (The Relics of Death – Part 1) // 130 min (The Relics of Death – Part 2) – 29 November 2017
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 4K (the first two episodes) and 2K
• Standard HDR: HDR10
• Ratio: 2.40 and 2.41 (Order of the Phoenix)
Soundtrack
• English DTS:X
• English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles
• English
• French
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers as well as the viewing equipment specified and used by each tester of the MaG team, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence the rating. Moreover, the images in the article are not representative of the edition tested.
Contents
Harry Potter, a young orphan, is raised by his uncle and aunt who hate him. While he was high like three apples, they told him that his parents had died in a car accident. On his eleventh birthday, Harry received the unexpected visit of a gigantic man named Rubeus Hagrid, who revealed to him that he was in fact the son of two powerful magicians and that he also possessed extraordinary powers.
Harry Potter at the Wizard School
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 7 // Audio quality : 9
This adaptation faithful to the first novel of the successful saga imagined by J.K. Rowling is a successful family show, which transcribes in images the wonderful and magical world of Harry Potter with its unique universe, endearing characters, magnificent decors, spells and magical soundtrack. A very pleasant entertainment for both young and old (who kept their child's soul).
Despite a very unattractive opening scene (tristunette colors, stained contrasts and lots of tingling) and blacks sometimes lacking depth, this UHD transfer from a Digital Intermediate 4K goes further than its HD counterpart. The details are clearer (see the background), the wider colours (a warmer photograph) and vibrant (Quidditch's match), the carefully adjusted contrasts (the dark scenes that benefit most) and the more sparkling light sources (the glare of the lightnings, the brightness of the reflections, the intensity of the lights, the heat of the flames). However, the images have a fairly good rendering « Old-age » far away from recent productions, even though the excessive sweetness, pasty textures and faded Blu-ray colours are a distant memory.
In DTS:X, Poudlard's magical world takes shape with a certain openness and infrequent subtlety. The voices are clear, the dynamics are effective, the playful spatialisation, the enveloping atmospheres (the agitation at the station, the discussions in the dining room, the reverberations in the corridors of the castle), the active rear scene, the effects of height correctly scripted (the owls and owls, the thunderstorm, the lively gold, etc.), the score of the John Williams and surprisingly serious bass. And if this is a more contained power and a less accurate noise location, the VF (for the first time proposed in HD) has not much to envy it.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 8 // Audio quality : 9
Less magical but more dull (a strand), rhythmic, tense and especially funny (the hilarious performance of Kenneth Branagh), this second adventure of our young sorcerer is still as fantastic, and relies on the interpretation of his young actors (our heroes play much better) and the increasing quality of his special effects (of course compared to the first opus) to make the show even more exciting. A very good suite.
More attractive than those of the first part, the images of this episode are significantly improved by this UHD transfer. The planes gain in sharpness and precision (see the backgrounds) without changing the overall softness of the representation, the colors are stimulated by the WCG (red blood, green grass) and acquire a welcome tickle (orange flames), the contrasts benefit from a higher rate (brighter whites and darker blacks) and the various lights gain a more modern intensity (light of the day, torches).
Dynamics, balanced, immersive, rich in virevolant effects and doped in serious (the knocking willow blows), these amusing and striking sound tracks transport us into the fictitious universe of the world of sorcerers with great success. And while the rears (the locomotive that heels the flying Ford Anglia, the spiders in the den of Aragog) provide just as much on the VF, the absence of the upper stage (very audible in the forbidden forest and during the Quidditch scene) invites to favor the VO.
Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban
Artistic note : 9 // Video quality : 9 // Audio quality : 9
Netly superior to the two previous ones, this third part to the splendid Gothic and virevoltant realization that the Mexican director owes Alfonso Cuarón (the best in the series), develops the psychological dimension and depth of the story, and evokes with a beautiful modernity the transition to adolescence. The film that imposed the film saga over time Harry Potter.
Very filmic (good organic sensation) and soft by nature, the splendid images of this opus appear here as very different from those delivered by the Blu-ray. Not so much with regard to details, however more subtle in UHD (textural nuances of decors) even though still missing slightly precision, but well to what relates to brightness and colorimetric palette. Much darker and with much more unsaturated hues (while allowing for a few more intense colors), the planes are now much more twilight and seem more faithful to the source or at least to the spirit of this episode. Moreover, the rebalanced contrasts allow a better perception of the elements of the frame, the scenes taking place in the dark have firmer blacks and the light sources (including the sometimes blinding glow of the magic wands) make wonders.
Less rich in surround effects than its predecessor, these soundtracks, however, remain quite invigorating, populated by effects/ambiences and served with serious safety to ensure the spectacle. But it is without hesitation to the VO DTS:X that you will have to turn to « rediscover » this third school year. A host of new information at the back (cf. Poudlard's dining room), a new aerial scene (rain, the ticking of a clock, the Trappers, etc.), a more airy score and more prominent basses, it imposes itself as a major update of the old mixing.
Harry Potter and the Fire Cup
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 8 // Audio quality : 9.5
carried by the realization both fluid (the dragon test) and disturbing (everything that revolves around Lord V) of Mike Newell, this episode (THE blockbuster of the cinematic saga) to the darker atmosphere and greater human wealth than its elders, chained without time dead sequences of suspense and action with special supernatural effects until the final confrontation of an exceptional power. However, not everything is perfect because the actors are not as well led as in the past (cf. Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban). Being more adult and deep without getting rid of some humorous traits, the series has now found its cruising rhythm (the transition to maturity) by daring to saber in the text of J.K. Rowling.
Dark by nature, the images of this 4K Ultra HD are a little more darkened even if the lights are more pronounced, and use a more desaturated colorimetric palette, almost desiccated sometimes, which perfectly fits the atmosphere of this opus. The blacks are deeper (but no less detailed) and the shadows no longer hesitate to spread generously in the planes, the colors are colder and generally less intense even if there are exceptions (the blue flame of the Fire Cup), the light sources are brighter (the blinding light that opens the Quidditch World Cup, the spells cast by the magic wands) and the contrasts judiciously readjusted. The definition no longer weakens (the softness of HD transfer is no longer), the details are clearer (the hedge maze, the damaged face of Alastor Maugrey) and the traces of Blu-ray compression (the scenes in low light) are a distant memory.
Very busy soundtracks that go deep on the spectacular side and differ from those present on the Blu-ray by increasing accuracy (and a real dynamic for the VF). Spatialisation is homogeneous, all the enclosures overflow with life with swirling effects from everywhere and palpable environmental atmospheres, dialogues are always clear and bass ensure when the action demands it. As for the air scene exclusive to VO, it is not left behind and ensures the show at regular intervals (the players of Quidditch, fireworks, rain, thunder, pressure in scuba diving, etc.).
Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 8.5 // Audio quality : 9
Effective thriller with an ever darker atmosphere, this fifth episode addresses more intimate and political issues (it is a question of dictatorship is revolution). Astonishment is no longer at the meeting and it is the psychology of the characters (general questioning) that prevails here. The film is thus slower and the action sequences are less numerous (the attack of the centaurs and the final piece of bravery). Still more adult and betting on the psychological characters, the series is in perpetual evolution for the best and for the best.
The background details are more visible, the contrasts are improved, the colorimetric palette is less colored for more darkness, and the light sources shine with more force (cf. magic).
The attention paid to spatialization, the careful use of atmospheres, the evidence of aerial input (such as the wind during the attack of the Trappers) and the depth of the basses generate a particularly enveloping and physical hearing experience when narration demands it (the final in the department of mysteries). And even if the height is lost on the VF, the dynamic as the permanent use of the rear and the richness of mixing persist.
Harry Potter and the mixed-blood Prince
Artistic note : 7.5 // Video quality : 9 // Audio quality : 9
This sixth episode is like its predecessors, a high quality entertainment where the atmosphere is getting darker and where the stakes become even more dramatic. Astonishment is no longer at all at the rendezvous and it is the psychology of the characters (love feelings), always more endearing, that prevails more than ever. Much less magical and little focused on action (which is also good with superb SFX), he can count on his exciting stakes to make up for his (too) set rhythm and his few lengths.
A remarkable UHD transfer that dominates the standard Blu-ray in all areas. The compression is no longer visible, the superior resolution and the additional sharpness reveal the existence of details previously unsuspected (cf. furniture in the room on request), the colors have been deliberately reduced (a photograph more monochrome and therefore darker) if this is when using magic where they are much more vivid (the flames during the attack of the Terrier by Mangemorts), the contrasts have been improved with deeper blacks (the cave by the sea where one of the Horcruxes is located has never been plunged into such a threatening darkness), and the light sources are much brighter (the lighting of the metro, the glow of the magic wands).
Accurate and immersive sound tracks that benefit from excellent spatialisation (the Weasley brothers' crowded shop or the Horde d'Inferi), an expressive LFE channel and extensive surround activity. And for an increased development, direction the VO DTS:X which refines everything and expands the acoustic space quite considerably while using properly a frank aerial scene (the attack of the Detraqueurs, the teleportations with Dumbledore, the « cleaning » of the Moldovan residence occupied by Horace Slughorn, the fireblower on the water surface, etc.).
Harry Potter and the Relics of Death - Part 1
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 8.5 // Audio quality : 9.5
Dark and deeply melancholy, this work is much more serious and adult than previous ones. The emotion takes the step on the action (present nevertheless), the soul states of the characters are sent to us in the heart and in the face, the scenario is exciting, the staging is reflected (the terrifying prologue and the sumptuous animated sequence) and the change of frame (landscapes and scenery as cold as despair) brings a real breath to the saga. With the final confrontation of Part 2, it is a matter of doubting the darkest and most worrying episode of the franchise Harry Potter.
« Black is black, there's no hope anymore »... It is in these few words that the present UHD transfer could be presented, because if the gain in precision, sharpness and detail is perceptible (the close-up and the elements of the background of the frame that benefit most), it is well on the side of colorimetry (globally duller and desaturated) and contrasts (the atmosphere is even darker even though the textures at the detour of the lighted corridors are more visible) that the differences widen with the Blu-ray. Not to mention, of course, the light sources that allow lighting and spells to enjoy a much more pronounced radiance. This visually very twilight episode is therefore even more here.
Stunning, sharp and carefully spatialized sound tracks, where the atmospheres and thundering effects are unleashed from all sides (air scene included in DTS:X – cf. Harry's escape to Hagrid's sidecar and the opening of Serpentard's medallion -) without omitting to use a vigorous LFE channel.
Harry Potter and the Relics of Death - Part 2
Artistic note : 8.5 // Video quality : 8 // Audio quality : 9.5
Widely at the height of expectations and with great maturity, this grand final confrontation between our young sorcerers and Lord Voldemort is a very rhythmic spectacle as epic (spectacular battle within Poudlard carried by special effects of remarkable fluidity) as lyric, which closes this immense saga in the most beautiful way possible. in tears and joy. In a word, huge!
Despite a scene (in Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour's Humière aux Coquillages) where the beautiful granular structure of the work veers lightly (while compression is invisible the rest of the time, even during the turbulent sequences of the carnet passage and the battle at Poudlard), this UHD transfer remains superb. With an impeccable sharpness with its ascending resolution and its more distinct details (visible from the start on Dobby's grave and Garrick Ollivander's wrinkled face), the image looks more like an equally rich chromatic palette (even if deliberately more desaturated) but even deeper (the Feudeymon in the Hall on Demand), and a striking contrast ratio where photography gains in darkness (the blacks are magnificent) without sifting the whites (they are very bright) or extinguishing the light sources. On the contrary even, the latter being brighter and brighter than ever (light of day, the protective barrier of Poudlard, the magic lightnings and j-en pass). Just sublime!
Highly spectacular sound tracks that push all the canals (of a height included on the VO with wind, flames, magic spells, etc.) in their last cuts (a little less with the VF which nevertheless remains of a very good level). The immersion provided by this amazing mixing is stinging (the voice of Lord Voldemort's otter-tombe that wanders on each speaker or the effect « Big eight » from carnet to incredible 5.1 effects), the LFE channel is pressed with a lot of power, the melancholy-dramatic score ofAlexandre Desplat use all available speakers and voices are crystal clear. A stunning sound experience!
« In the world there is not on one side good and evil, there is a part of light and shadow in each one of us. What matters is the one we choose to show in our actions, that's what we really are. »
[...] Inventive and purely magical, this ingenious spin-off of the Harry Potter saga taking place in New York's beautifully reconstituted 20s, is a thrilling adventure [...]