SourceFrance |Publisher: Paramount Pictures |Release date: 04 October 2023
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.35
and 2.40 (The Ryan Initiative)
HDR10 |Dolby Vision| BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
and 2K (The Ryan Initiative)
Soundtrack
EnglishDolby TrueHD 5.1
EnglishDTS-HD MA 7.1 (The Ryan Initiative)
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles
English
French
Rated 3.5 out of 5
Artistic : 7.5 | Video : 7.5 | Audio : 8
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-65A95L (Dolby Dark Vision)
Sources: Oppo UDP-203 Audiocom Reference | Zappiti Reference
Pregnant: Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Max (Dolby Surround | DTS Neural:X), SVS SB-4000
Contents
In pursuit of Red October, underwater failures
The Russian submarine « October Red » the United States. In his first sea trials, he was hijacked by Captain Ramius. The Soviet and American fleets began to pursue him, while Ryan, CIA analyst, tried to interpret the officer's real intentions: provocation, act of dementia or peace?
This exciting closed espionage which is played at 10,000 feet under the sea, first film adaptation aroundJack Ryan, one of the iconic characters of the famous writerTom Clancy, is a thriller on the background of cold war and nuclear attack where the uncertainty that hovers over the true intentions of Captain Ramius creates a palpable tension. And between the ever so strong staging ofJohn McTiernan (Predator, Crystal Trap) and the quality interpretation of the entire casting (dominated by aSean ConneryIt is hard not to get caught by this deep-water paranoid hunt.
While it is undeniable that this 4K Ultra HD leaves its HD counterpart far in its wake, the image it delivers is no less perfectable per place with good and at least good. Very soft by nature and not always clear, however, it is reinforced thanks to a more solid definition and more refined details (the various instruments and onboard displays), even if there are still a few small tasks on the master and that the imposing silver grain continues to operate without camouflage (this is not a defect). Very dark because it illustrates the underseas' lightless interiors, it is rebalanced by less altered contrasts than in the past (deeper blacks for still darker places) and intensified by revived light sources (light of the day, sparks, buttons on consoles, interior lighting). Taking advantage of a highly studied colorimetric palette, but until now it has become glossy with more saturated hues (oranges and reds) and much more shaded greys. And if it managed to mask a little better the too blatant nature of its special effects (submersible underwater plans and final incrustation) by the lesser resolution of the Blu-ray, it can no longer do so and thus let the latter appear fully without having corrected the color banding that pollutes them. Significant visual improvements have therefore been made but the source limits do not allow this Dolby Vision UHD transfer to shine.
Between the choral music and the effects/ambiences of the warships (movements underwater, buzzing engines, steps on deck, etc.) that fill the entire listening area, difficult not to be propelled in the middle of the action... Especially since the dialogues are clear, the dynamic is in the taboo (the shots sound loudly) and the bass give to the heart joy. As often, however, the sound design is somewhat dated (but it has its charm) and cannot compete with that of recent productions. As for the game of differences between VO and VF, the latter lacks precision and breadth.
Artistic : 8 | Video : 7 | Audio : 8
War Games, CIA vs IRA
During a stay in London with his wife and daughter, Ryan witnessed an attack by Irish extremists. He managed to shoot down one of his attackers and capture his older brother. The latter, released by his own quickly, then had more than one idea in mind: liquidate Ryan and his own to avenge his brother...
Two years laterIn pursuit of Red October, Jack Ryan, one of the iconic characters of the famous writer Tom Clancy, returns to the screen asHarrison Ford. And preferring action to suspense (if not during the final assault) by almost completely abandoning the trade of secret agent (!), this opus which does not lack technical know-how (cf. the staging) plays it rather big artillery. Much less original and taking than its elder but more entertaining.
Although not very flattering (the very filmy aspect of the early 90s), this UHD Dolby Vision transfer still greatly improves the images present on the Blu-ray. Compression is more perfectable (goes well with tingling in the background) and allows the thick granular structure to breathe, which is no longer fixed according to the planes (it is therefore uniform), sharpness is increased with a more solid definition (the background information is more evident) and a more precise pitch (even if the soft planes remain so), the sober and a little loosened colors are better nuanced and allow to puncture more saturated primaries (the red title or blue photography during scenes taking place in London), the contrasts are less flat (clearly brighter whites and richer blacks) without being very marked, the light sources are a little brighter (reflections on the metal edges, the sun in Africa) while remaining moderate, and the dark scenes enjoy a better gradation (it is the end that benefits the most).
Wider than the VF which gives the false impression of being more generous by over-mixing the effects/ambiences (the dynamics are thus reached), the VO which benefits as a bonus from a more robust bass channel (explosions have more weight) remains however (too) confined on the front with a still unsolicited rear scene. However, the partition ofJames Horner (AliensThe dialogues are broadcast clearly and the frontals give everything they have (a beautiful width).
Artistic : 7 | Video : 7 | Audio : 7
Immediate danger, in the jungle of cartels
Jack Ryan is responsible for elucidating the murder of a friend of the President, a businessman involved in drug trafficking. Risting his career to break the truth, Ryan will have to fight on all fronts, including in the White House corridors...
If it does not equal the stifling suspense ofIn pursuit of Red October, this thriller of espionage always adapted from a novel by Tom Clancy remains a very good entertainment, not tender which is more with the American administration (the political magouilles of the White House). And what do we have on the program? An effective staging, a catchy scenario (which goes back to the background work of spy agencies), a steady pace, top actors (Harrison Ford is very elegant) and fished action scenes.
All the components of the image have been improved here, and it is ultimately only the photography ofDonald McAlpinewhich prevents this UHD Dolby Vision transfer from shining (it's not especially « Beautiful » if you prefer). We find ourselves, moreover, with a rendition quite similar to that ofWar gamesif this is a less pregnant granular structure (a 35 mm turning). And while some plans are softer than others with some development defects (the use of anamorphic lenses), the improvement is already noticeable on the details that are much more distinct (the pores of the skin, the folds of clothing, the furniture of CIA offices, the foliage of the jungle). For the rest, the range of colors is wider (it is the primary ones that benefit the most and the heat of the tropical climate in Colombia), the naturally moderate contrasts are a little more marked (the new radiance of whites), the lights are more subtly brilliant (the natural light of the day or artificial of the offices) and the dark scenes are better defined thanks to richer blacks.
A solid mix that is characterized by exemplary clarity, a dynamic at the right time, coherent voices that dominate the frontal scene, realistic spatialisation delivering striking effects (cf. the shootings and more precisely the Bogotá ambuscade) and enveloping atmospheric atmospheres on all channels, and a score (where James Horner never stops citing his own work like48 hoursandAliens) faithfully transcribed. However, the surround speakers and the LFE channel could have been used even more. More powerful in appearance (it is just mixed up above), the VF is especially less immersive because less precise in the positioning of its sound objects.
Artistic : 8 | Video : 7.5 | Audio : 8
The Sum of all fears, WW3 approaching
The Cold War is about to be revived when Russia's president dies and is replaced by a man of the dubious past. East-West relations deteriorate even further when the CIA suspects Russian researchers to develop nuclear weapons. Jack Ryan is in charge of investigating. He follows an extremely perilous track, which leads him to discover that terrorists intend to provoke a war between the United States and Russia – by detonating a nuclear bomb in the middle of an American football game!
Captivating despite some clichés,The Sum of All Fearsis a geopolitics thriller to the halating scenario, constant tension, the second roles involved and square realization. But here it is,Ben Affleckis not particularly charismatic in Jack Ryan. However, the work remains thrilling.
Slightly muzzled by a very dark photograph by nature (even more here with more marked shadows), the images of this UHD Dolby Vision transfer enjoy however a perfectly cleaned master's degree (the little tasks of Blu-ray have disappeared), a stronger compression, a clearer definition (the backgrounds are more visible, even those that are poorly lit), more distinct details (the faces, the seams of clothing), a pleasant silver grain, richer colours (the reds are deeper) and shaded (yellow/brown shades after the nuclear explosion), more striking contrasts (whites are as often brighter) and more intense light sources (cf. the shine of the reflections on metal objects).
Very effective sound tracks (even the small VF) that allow to coexist devastating effects (nuclear explosion) and clarity of dialogues, moving from calm to fergue with adequate dynamics. Spatialization is fluid, immersive atmospheres, faithful score and robust basses. It's effective.
Artistic : 7 | Video : 8 | Audio : 8
The Ryan Initiative, good kisses from Moscow
Former Marine, Jack Ryan is a brilliant financial analyst. Thomas Harper recruits him to the CIA to investigate a terrorist financial organization. Hidden the nature of this first mission to his fiancée, Jack Ryan goes to Moscow to meet the businessman whom he suspects to be at the head of the plot. On the spot, betrayed and delivered to himself, Ryan realizes that he can no longer trust anyone...
Despite the awkward writing and writing facilities of an intrigue of good outfit that mixes somewhat modernism and archaism, this fifth part of Jack Ryan's adventures, inspired by characters created by Tom Clancy and restored to the taste of the day byKenneth Branagh, is a well calibrated spy thriller that lets itself be watched without displeasure thanks to a perfectly oiled staging, nerve action scenes and a three star casting.
Apart from some plans that continue to accuse the presence of blur in the frame (a 35 mm shooting with anamorphic lenses), this UHD Dolby Vision transfer is even more accomplished than its HD counterpart. The silver grain is more homogeneous, the definition is still as superb, the piqué is slightly more chiseled, the level of detail no longer loses its density during the scenes in low light, the colorimetric palette is more balanced (the shades of the skin are less yellow) and richer saturated (the blue eyes of theChris Pine), the contrasts are enhanced by several notches (the clarity of whites), the light sources are much brighter (light of the day, interior and/or night lights, computer monitors) and the blacks are denser.
If the VO remains more tufted and precise than the VF, these are still two robust sound tracks with overwhelming dynamics, voices of beautiful clarity, varied effects ventilated throughout the sound scene thanks to maximum use of channels, a rich rear scene and solid bass.
Artistic : 7 | Video : 9 | Audio : 10
« Take the bravest sailor, the most intrepid aviator, the bravest soldier, and gather them around a table. What are you getting? The sum of all fears. »
Subscribe
Connection
0Remarks
oldest
