Welcome to The 4K Ultra HD Bazaarvo monthly appointment to find out all about the latest 4K releases and the visual and audio experience they offer. Born of his author's passion for physical media and his desire to share with you the pleasures of cinema at home in his most accomplished form, each issue is the opportunity for the celest wolf to test and evaluate the audio/video performances of many discs released in France and internationally, guiding you through the subtleties of the HDR, the nuances of the WCG and the immersion of 3D soundtracks.
Whether you're a seasoned cinephile looking for the best editions of the market or an amateur wishing to maximize its home-cinema installation, follow the recommendations of our expert and prepare to be amazed by a quality image and sound you thought so far reserved for cinemas. Good reading and enjoy every issue to come! #WeLovePhysicalMedia 📀✨
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.
Video broadcaster (QD-OLED 4K) : Sony Bravia XR-65A95L
Universal reader : Oppo UDP-203 Audiocom Reference
Multimedia player : R_volution PlayerPro 8K Signature Edition
Pregnant (7.1.4): Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus, SB-4000
Image Modes : Professional (SDR or HDR) | Dolby Dark Vision | IMAX Enhanced
Listening modes : Dolby Atmos | Dolby Surround | DTS:X | DTS Neural:X
Contents
Captain America: Brave New World
Source France | Publisher : Disney | Release date : 12 June 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English Dolby Atmos
English Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Subtitles
English
French
Rated 3.5 out of 5
Artistic : 6 | Video : 9 | Audio : 9
WORK – With this fourth iteration of Captain America, the great return of the star shield unfortunately misses its flight in a geopolitical thriller certainly rhythmic but which has absolutely nothing new. A little thrilling mainstream product that goes over its subject (especially as Red Hulk is just a distraction), preferring action (agreed) to narration (rapid). Remains a very friendly Anthony Mackie and the obvious desire to reconnect with the MCU - In the past. Can we see red?
IMAGE – Even if unattractive with its cold colours, its variable texture (reshoes are visible) and its dim lighting, the photograph finds in this UHD Dolby Vision transfer a weight ally. The increase in resolution (which highlights the lack of care of some CGIs) is undeniable, the enrichment of the colorimetric palette (coming to liven up the primary) significant and the improvement of the range of contrasts (the darkness at Camp Echo One) manifest.
SON – Filled with intensity and multi-directional effects, the VO Dolby Atmos strongly supports the action. The dialogues are clear, the energetic dynamics, the circles determined, the notable verticality (see aerial scenes), the extended score and the solid bass. Properly immersive and deliberately noisy mixing, which a hint of finesse would nevertheless have raised. Even if less sustained in its scale and spatialization, the VF does the job. Coupling well incorporated.
Criminal Squad: Pantera
Source France | Publisher : Metropolitan Video | Release date : 16 May 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English DTS-HD MA 7.1
French DTS-HD MA 7.1
Subtitles
French
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Artistic : 8 | Video : 9.5 | Audio : 9.5
WORK – Far from following in the footsteps of his predecessor, this roaring suite sharpens his claws to plunge us into a gallantly choreographed robbery with feline precision. The tension (crute) never looses its prey, the action (well dosed) does not lack biting and Gerard Butler (The Opera Ghost, President's Fall) requires an animal presence. In the mobility of the incontourable Heat, a robbery film (on the Riviera) tested with licked urban realism.
IMAGE – This UHD Dolby Vision transfer comes from an 8.2K capture finalized in 4K and is a treat for the eyes. Digital chiseled at will (with much more fine details than in 1080p) reinforced by a dynamic demonstrative range (solidified contrasts to better defined ink blacks and purified light whites), where the colorimetric palette (dorated by day and cyan at night) displays Azurean landscapes magnified by the reinforced radiance of its primarys. Effective HEVC compression.
SON – In the absence of Dolby Atmos mixing (present on the US disk), it will take just two tracks DTS-HD MA 7.1 to succeed the break of the century. Fortunately, they are under the hood... Percussive if necessary (racing-prosecutions) and with great clarity as to the restitution of dialogues, they show a very convincing spatialisation (the club atmosphere, the shots) and a beautiful amplitude. VF less impacting in serious. Well-integrated dubbing.
Kingdom of Heaven - Director's Cut
Source United States | Publisher : 20th Century Studios | Release date : 27 May 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English Dolby Atmos
Subtitles
English
French
Rated 5 out of 5
Artistic : 10 | Video : 9 | Audio : 10
WORK – As the fervour of the crusades mingles with the inner quest of a man in exile, an epic breath passes through this magisterial fresco where the light of Jerusalem vacillates between hope and destruction. A symphony of grand battles, sumptuous decorations, performances of notable actors and moral dilemmas that Ridley Scott (Alien, The Fall of the Black Falcon), through the burst of swords and the murmurs of destiny, raises to the rank of film legend.
IMAGE – Resulting from an oversampling of the original DI 2K, this UHD DV transfer « massacre » the previous Blu-ray released in France Pathé. The improvement of the edges is no longer, as the fade of the blacks (they were grey) and the lack of compression. Instead, the encoding is unattainable, the management of contrasts significantly improved (see details in the shadows) and the pique well marked. The shades (blue and amber) increase in nuances and the silver grain in finesse.
SON – In turn refined and muscular, the VO Atmos with established clarity, enveloping environmental effects, extensive medieval partition and dynamic battles is an acoustic marvel. The (directional) voices are solidly exuded, the rear scene is constantly pressed (sandy winds), the basses are solidly formed and the verticality is a path (standards, wildlife, balasters) within an incredibly authentic sound design.
You will not kill
Source France | Publisher : Metropolitan Video | Release date : 06 June 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
HDR10 | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 2K
Soundtrack
English DTS-HD MA 7.1
French DTS-HD MA 7.1
Subtitles
French
Rated 4.5 out of 5
Artistic : 9 | Video : 9.5 | Audio : 9.5
WORK – This major film work that plunges into the horror of war with a unleashing of violence to the hallucinating realism (even surpassing We have to save Private Ryan.), is a great fable on pacifism orchestrated by an extraordinary director (the Mel Gibson of Braveheart and Apocalypto). An essential reflection on the nature of true courage, where heroes are not only those who fight, but also those who save. Terrasting!
IMAGE – A UHD master with exceptional clarity, clear definition, remarkable details, subtle monochrome (brown/green) colours, perfect contrasts and color banding (unlike Blu-ray in smoke clouds). The colorimetric palette is much richer (darker blood, bluer sky) and nuanced (the uniforms), the brightness stimulated by the HDR10 is more dazzling (the sun's rays) and the darkness benefits from more penetrating blacks.
SON – Between incredibly immersive effects (balls) and atmospheres (cries) (crash falls at 360°), a thundering dynamic (clashes against Japanese) and robust basses (explosions), it is in the heart of Pacific hell that we project these very high-fly DTS-HD MA 7.1 tracks. But the absence of the Atmos mix (at the visceral aerial stratum) proposed on the American disc is a great pity. French dubbing rather matte and detached atmospheres.
The Tonton gunners
Source France | Publisher : Gaumont | Release date : 29 November 2017
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 1.66
CSD | BT2 BT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
French DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
French
English
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 8 | Video : 8 | Audio : 8
WORK – Scenes of anthology (the sequence of the kitchen), cult replicas of Michel Audiard (« I'm gonna make her a prescription. And a severe one! I'll show him who Raoul is. At the four corners of Paris that we will find it scattered in small pieces puzzle way... »), roped dialogues and irresistible treachery, make all the salt of this timeless mafia comedy which it is useless to present. The old cons know that, a great classic of French cinema!
IMAGE – Reinvigorating the HDR process in the closet to remain true to the period photography, this 4K restoration, which has been carried out since the original negatives, offers a cure of youth at work. Wider frame, perfectly cleaned film, better defined plans (faces, costumes, decorations) and contrasts reworked successfully (blacks less blocked) without any modernization (whites sometimes grey remain soft). Focus errors and tingling inherent to the more visible source.
SON – A mono dual mixing of a great homogeneity and a beautiful vitality, where the voices (without breath), the sounds (the famous silent pistols) and the few notes (set to all sauces) of the mythical score composed by Michel Magne, are delivered with clarity and without the slightest distortion. With irreproachable cleanliness and never acidic, this soundtrack with very little difference in level is a treat to listen to, even without the fire power of a cruiser.
2019 after the fall of New York
Source France | Publisher : Pulse Video | Release date : 17 May 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 1.85
CSD | BT2 BT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English DTS-HD MA 2.0
French DTS-HD MA 2.0
Italian DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
English
French
Rated 3 of 5
Artistic : 6 | Video : 8 | Audio : 7
WORK – Long before Doomsday, this rip-off of Mad Max 2 and New York 1997 was already afraid of nothing despite the thinness of his budget. A nugget of the Italian post-nuke of 80s that sweats the bis every second, for a very well rhythmic nawak orgy. And written on a corner of the table, this apocalyptic nanar barded with actions serves us from the good old cinema of exploitation to absurd dialogues, approximate make-up, actors in the game, cheap decors and pacolette cascades. Che piacere!
IMAGE – Never republished in France since its operation in VHS, this radioactive sweetness sendimanche of a magnificent UHD SDR transfer (solidly supported by an average bitrate of 67.8 Mbps) resulting from a 4K scan of the original negative (directed by Studiochannel). The 35 mm texture is perfectly restored, the details are eloquent, the colorimetric palette is well saturated (with a beautiful richness in the primary), the contrasts are excellent and the copy is rather clean.
SON – Proposed in 24-bit, these three audio tracks encoded in DTS-HD MA are not worth it. For if the Italian dual mono version performs its function very correctly (a clear and clear rendering to the score and balanced effects), its English consoeur is more hollow and stifled (cf. dialogues). As for the very artificial VF 2.0 surround (at the delirious dubbing), it must wipe a constant breath as well as a rocking sound enlargement (since it is intermittently cut).
Extra Blood
Source United States | Publisher : Shout Factory | Release date : 25 March 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 1.85
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English DTS-HD MA 5.1
English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
English
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 7 | Video : 8.5 | Audio : 8.5
WORK – When The Night of the Dead Meeting American Pie in a video club, Invaders The leeches laugh. A movie UFO that smells good 80s and sebum, where SF, teen movie and zombie flirt in a good mood. But grotesque and poorly raised, this deprecated and heavily armed B-series doesn't suck just brains... For yes, this great whatever also sucks the marrow of all narrative logic! Jubilatory though.
IMAGE – Solidly encoded in HEVC and resulting from a new 4K restoration of the original 35 mm negative (approved by Fred Dekker), this UHD DV transfer impresses with its silver emulsion. The source is in good condition, the grain (imposing in the darkness) is fully preserved, the details are superbly textured (no blur of capture), the colorimetric palette is adorned with attractive primarys and the contrasts have been reworked (blacks are no longer blocked).
SON – Rhythmed by the stimulating score of Barry De Vorzon, this soundtrack presented in DTS-HD MA 5.1 supports the video in a beautiful way. The dialogues are clear, the musical dynamics fly at the slightest note of synthesis and the effects regularly take place at the rear. Even if they reinforce extraterrestrial activities and the detonation of firearms, the low frequencies remain hidden... Like the creeping threat, before she jumps on everything that moves!
Don't say anything (2022)
Source Germany | Publisher : Plaion Pictures | Release date : 07 December 2023
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.40
CSD | BT2 BT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
Danish DTS-HD MA 5.1
German DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles
German
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 8.5 | Video : 7.5 | Audio : 8.5
WORK – Brilliantly playing on excessive politeness and fear of conflict to create discomfort, this distressing Danish psychological thriller confronts us with our passivity (for the sake of courtesy) in the face of discomfort. A shocking work that takes the guts and tests our limits so that we spectators never close their eyes when the unacceptable comes. A real social criticism to brilliant performers and mastered staging, whose icy outcome leaves no voice.
IMAGE – Digital lightly sharp and somewhat noisy as this UHD SDR transfer, by more efficient encoding, reproduces with a more precise hair than Blu-ray. The definition makes a small leap forward (see background), fine details are displayed with slightly increased sharpness (face hair) and digital noise is more homogeneous. Absence of HDR implementation requires, colors (hot then cold) and contrasts (well balanced) remain unchanged.
SON – Under the constant threat of a clumsy score, this DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack with surprising dynamics (the horns) never stopped alerting us about the real danger that is around. Effects such as atmospheres, which are rapidly oppressive (cicadas singing and the murmur of the wind give way to an increasingly worrying presence), are as palpable as measured, and dialogues, between terrifying normality and unsaid subtension, are of great clarity.
The Game Rule
Source France | Publisher : Rimini Editions | Release date : 04 June 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 1.37
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
French DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
None
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 8 | Video : 8 | Audio : 7
WORK – When the high society draws its reverence by waltzing on its own hypocrisy, Jean Renoir signs a comedy of manners disguised as vaudeville where masks fall but white gloves remain impeccably ironed. And while everyone (the aristocrats and servants) runs after a love he does not understand, the social farce slaps the elites with a velvet glove embroidered with irony thread. A killing game in tuxedo in worldly France of the 1930s.
IMAGE – Result of the laboratory restoration of 2021 Hiventy from a composite countertype (original negatives destroyed during World War II by allied bombardments), this UHD Dolby Vision transfer beautifully contrasted corrects the random HDR implementation of publishing ESC (published in 2022) and brings precision to fine details... An improvement made possible by use (harmonious*) of the IA when the master's TCS.
* Already at work on 1984, laboratory AI-driven tools TCS seem to have found the right balance to limit to the maximum artificial falsification (a few contour accentuations and small confusions in the development are uncommon) while optimizing the delineation (well-reinforced contours) and fineness of the silver grain (neither glued nor dragged).
SON – Restored in 2021 by the studio L.E. Diapason From an incomplete nitrate countertype and from the 1959 blending negative, this 2.0 dual mono soundtrack to the welcome roundness is certainly not perfect (audible breath, choked dialogues) but is only little impacted by the outrages of time. The sharps are of great clarity and the music enjoys an amazing dynamic. Absent from the British Blu-ray, the compliment « You're a hero » Make his return.
Mission Alarum
Source Germany | Publisher : Splendid Film | Release date 25 April 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
HDR10 | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English DTS-HD MA 5.1
German DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles
German
Rate 2 of 5
Artistic : 3 | Video : 8.5 | Audio : 8
WORK – This industrial accident is a thriller of action to the screenplay of bullets (nothing is ever clearly explained), to the laborious execution and to lazy performers (except Willa Fitzgerald), in which Sylvester Stallone (Rambo, Demolition Man, Expendable) comes to sleep for five minutes. In addition, served by digital effects of another time (blood, explosions, the point of impact of the projectiles), this direct-to-video that shoots blank is visually dated.
IMAGE – Even if technically impressive, this UHD HDR10 transfer cannot face the ugliness of photography. The encoding is therefore irreproachable (in contrast to the Blu-ray where color banding passes cuckoo), ultra-precision rendering and controlled contrast management (deep blacks and a beautiful dynamic in high lights). But the colorimetric palette, cold and desaturated, remains terribly bland despite barely more alive primary (red lighting).
SON – Good spatialization, with effective lateral effects distributed (cf. shootings), clear voices and well ventilated music (horribly generic). However, the mix lacks punch (scale and low fear) and the dialogues are awfully phoned. That said, the immersion officiates without breaking (ambient noises frequently coming to the rear channels) even if the sound design is basic to the possible.
Knight (2001)
Source France | Publisher : Sony Pictures | Release date : 28 May 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English Dolby Atmos
English DTS-HD MA 5.1
English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles
English
French
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 7 | Video : 9 | Audio : 10
WORK – Messires and gentes ladies, this heretical but very rejoicing entertainment told by a sorcerer by the name of Brian Helgeland, valiantly blends medieval and pagan music thundering so that the young Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), plucked with a cathedral smile, overturns feudal order with blows of estoc and daeye-liner. In the end, a brave tournament dressed in modern and narrated brilliance with this impudent insolence unique to the 21st century bards.
IMAGE – Coming from the original 35 mm negative, this 4K restoration unwinds the 2006 Blu-ray without difficulty. The UHD master is very clean, the silver texture once smoothed (a MPEG-2 compression) covers with its finesse, the medieval details (like the inlays) captured in Super 35 are otherwise more visible, the colorimetric palette becomes bolder (the saturation of the primary) and the contrasts are more nuanced. Very bright day scenes.
SON – While the equestrian joustes (the galloped horses, the shock of the spears, the crowd in tears) and the rock pieces ‘n-roll (Queen, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Robbie Williams) are in the first lodges to quench the magnitude and spatialization (supported at the back and striking in the heights) of the VO Dolby Atmos, each second also benefits from subtle atmospheres, marked effects and clear dialogues. Tracks DTS-HD MA 5.1 less striking (see bass) and more tightened.
Scarecrow Night (1981)
Source France | Publisher : BQHL Editions | Release date 29 May 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 1.33
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles
French
Rate 2 of 5
Artistic : 6.5 | Video : 4 | Audio : 7.5
WORK – Like an old Halloween costume, Final destination Before the hour is out of date, a little grated, but has a strange charm that makes it come out every year from the closet. And while it diverts the codes of the slasher (no gore nor jump scares, just from the tension) to take on the bad conscience of a rural America eaten by its own demons, this macabre fable poses a social parable about the fear of the other, intolerance and collective cowardice.
IMAGE – Forbidden by sensitive tractors, this 4K restoration supervised by Frank De Felitta is a carnage where corn is not the only one to fall! DNR over the boots (scratching of the grain and waxy appearance), HDR at full hoof (scursors pushed beyond reasonable), colorimetry far from being (too bright) douche and night artefacts, this is a pig job that sows terror. More beautiful and natural, Blu-ray edition 88 Films use the same source without the use of the fireworks.
SON – In the absence of the original mono mixing, it will be necessary to settle for two Dolby TrueHD 5.1 tracks. Using surrounds for Glenn Paxson's frightening score and occasional small effects, although it remains firmly anchored at the front, the VO is otherwise clearer (dialogues), broad and deep (dangerous bass) than the French track. Because anemic, limited to the frontal scene and very poorly post-synchronized, the latter carries in addition the weight of voices completely stifled.
Captain Sky and the World of Tomorrow
Source United States | Publisher : Shout Factory | Release date : 27 May 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 1.85
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English DTS-HD MA 5.1
English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
English
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 7.5 | Video : 8.5 | Audio : 9.5
WORK – When Indiana Jones is propelled into a world of fuseled airplanes, giant robots and old-fashioned adventure, the film time machine dresses in pulp and heads straight towards the unknown, roaring engine and poached look towards tomorrow. A dream retrofuturistic superannuous fuel to nostalgia, where the aesthetic inventiveness that slams like a black movie kiss embarks the enthusiasm of an intrigue that put on the clichés like a pilot put on his gloves.
IMAGE – Soaked in a sepia bath of sky, this BD silkscreened with the sweetness of Dantan, artificial grain, deaf colorimetry (black and white hand tinted), sharp contrasts, thicker darkness than an intergalactic plot and very diffuse lighting, is a sweet post to the forgotten serials of the 1930s. And presented in DV, this 4K transfer from the 35 mm digital negative improves the depth of the compositions as well as the details in the high luminances.
SON – Despite slightly back voices (to be increased by 2 or 3 dB for more listening comfort), this DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack (option 2.0 is its downmix) urged by the symphonic score of Edward Shearmur is a power concentrate! The LFE channel is there to get rid of it (the trampling of robots in New York, explosions), the dynamics fly at the slightest incartade (the flights of Curtiss P-40 Warhawk) and the multi-directional effects abound throughout.
The fatal weapon
Source France | Publisher : Warner Bros. | Release date : 25 June 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 1.85
HDR10 | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English Dolby Atmos
English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles
English
French
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 8 | Video : 8.5 | Audio : 9
WORK – If Glover (including moustache) is too old for this bullshit, we're asking again. For having set fire to Christmas before John McClane This buzzy movie who likes to laugh between two shootings controlled by Gibson (including brushing), drew a comic alchemy that transformed itself into a massive distraction. When it guns and swings punchlines like verbal fragmentation grenades, testosterone and virile tenderness fly.
IMAGE – Riggs and Murtaugh didn't ride... or almost. A successful digital facelift (resulting from a new 4K restoration of the cinema version and of the false Director, Cut) where the definition makes a big leap forward, the colors find nerve (no bleached shades or pinkish veil) and the HDR10 boosts contrasts (dense blacks and bright light sources). But as « Fatal weapon », the 35 mm grain is turbulent due to the support under control of DNR.
SON – When one grunts with plume, the other shoots in the mile... A VO Dolby Atmos that just sounds without trying to make any crates, in which immersion offends with discretion since faithful to the frontal nature of the original soundtrack (includes with the cinema version). The dialogues are clear, the jazzy saxophone is ample, the shots (modernized) are striking, the channel of serious energetic and the vertical effects are appropriate (airways). VF 5.1 lacks a safe.
Ho!
Source France | Publisher : Corner of Mire Cinema | Release date : 20 May 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 1.66
HDR10+ | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
French DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
French
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 7.5 | Video : 9 | Audio : 8
WORK – Signed Robert Enrico, this 1968 polar carbide with oversized ego and fly replicas, sometimes purr like an old DS on the highway but allows Belmondo (Class all risks, The Beautiful), in gentleman burglar, to vromb to each plane. And allowing us all the leisure to admire the fall of a man who thought he was riding above the laws, elegant staging prefers the straight line to the acrobatic pin. Yes, the robbery has style!
IMAGE – Available in HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, this laboratory-led 4K restoration Hiventy Since the negative image 35 mm, displays a beautiful silver texture (finely preserved) that does not conceal anything of the unprecedented precision of the piqué (minutely detailed), of the new consistency of the colors (joliment nuanced) and of the surprising aplomb of the range of contrasts (audiciously raised). Almost completely cleaned, the copy is of exemplary stability.
SON – This dual mono mix (in DTS-HD MA 2.0) restored from magnetic French sound is as clean as well balanced. Neither breath nor damage related to the dread of time, but energy and surprisingly fresh sounds. The voices most often enjoy a good presence, the music of François de Roubaix (The Samurai) creates a casual tension and the atmosphere does not fail to exist (urban and prison sounds).
Kingdom Bans
Source United States | Publisher : Lionsgate Films | Release date : 25 February 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.40
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 2K
Soundtrack
English Dolby Atmos
Subtitles
English
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 7 | Video : 9 | Audio : 10
WORK – When Peregrination to the West Meeting The Wizard of Oz, le fan de kung-fu pian se prend dans la gueule le choc culturel le plus débridé depuis qu’un panda a appris les arts martiaux chinois ! Une quête mystique dans la Chine ancienne guidée par deux légendes vivantes (Jackie Chan et Jet Li), où hommage sincère et pastiche assumé croisent la route de combats virevoltants. Flambé à la nostalgie VHS mais peu relevé (un plat familial), ce bol de riz sauté est bien gourmand.
IMAGE – Du cisèlement des détails au lustre des contrastes en passant par la chatoyante des couleurs (cf. les verts et les dorures), le gap en qualité est évident. L’alliance (homogène) entre les captations HDCAM SR et Super 35 gagne en finesse (les parures, les costumes), le grain argentique s’affiche avec nettement plus de volonté, la palette chromatique joue au grand maître du yin-yang (entre un passé plus chaleureux et un présent plus froid) et la pénombre profite d’ombres affermies.
SON – Ajoutant une véritable dimension céleste au précédent mix 7.1, cette bande-son Dolby Atmos à l’immersion constante use d’une activité surround acrobatique, de basses fréquences percutantes et d’une dynamique en furie. Les coups pleuvent, les sabres dansent et la musique (entre percussions orientales, cordes envoûtantes et cuivres héroïques) fait des saltos arrière, sans que les voix ne soient jamais vaincues. Un ballet sonore à faire frémir le plus stoïque des moines Shaolin.
Color Out of Space
Source United States | Publisher : RLJ Entertainment | Release date : 25 février 2020
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
CSD | BT2 BT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2 NT2
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles
English
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 8 | Video : 8.5 | Audio : 9.5
WORK – Portée par un Nick Cage en grande forme, cette courageuse adaptation d’une nouvelle de H.P. Lovecraft est un cauchemar éveillé ultra-malaisant, où l’innommable prend chair au travers d’une forme de body horror (les SFX sont bien foutus) âprement répugnante. Et parvenant sans peine à accoucher de l’ambiance si particulière qui émane des écrits du maître, ce film terrifiant aux évènements monstrueux est à conserver précieusement au côté du sous-estimé Dagon.
IMAGE – Très étudiée au niveau des couleurs (le « personnage central » venu d’ailleurs) et des éclairages, la fantastique photographie restituée en SDR (à la demande du chef op’) va plus loin en UHD. Un peu plus vives et contrastées (les niveaux de noir) en raison d’un encodage en HEVC 10-bit (en dépit de petites traces de solarisation), les images profitent surtout d’une source nativement 4K où les détails s’affichent avec nettement plus de précision (cf. les prothèses et autres maquillages).
SON – Pourvu d’une excellente dynamique et d’une forte activité multicanale (les ambiances plus ou moins naturelles abondent à l’arrière), ce surprenant mixage (en particulier lors des interférences cosmiques) aux dialogues distincts, à l’étrange musique insidieuse (de Colin Stetson) et aux basses saisissantes, dérange tout autant qu’il envoûte. Chaque note suinte l’angoisse, chaque silence hurle l’aliénation et l’immersion reste totale malgré l’absence d’un mix Atmos. L’Écho Mauve est là !
The Insider (2025)
Source France | Publisher : Universal Pictures | Release date 23 July 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
HDR10 | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles
English
French
Rated 4 out of 5
Artistic : 7.5 | Video : 9 | Audio : 9
WORK – Alors qu’il joue à cache-cache avec la vérité, ce thriller d’espionnage feutré débusque une réflexion maline sur les fondations du couple amoureux. Le scénario de David Koepp organise un Cluedo conjugal, les dialogues sont ciselés comme un cran d’arrêt suisse, le montage maîtrise l’art de la dissimulation, les agents respirent le glamour tactique et chaque scène pèse son pesant de secrets. Un jeu de dupes où personne n’abat ses cartes… sauf peut-être au moment de tirer.
IMAGE – Brillante comme un microfilm oublié dans une mallette diplomatique, la photo stylisée est volontairement vaporeuse (ou comment brouiller les pistes) de par l’usage de filtres doux. Le HDR10 sublime les contrastes, révélant chaque ombre suspecte dans les ruelles londoniennes. Le WCG enrichit l’ambre feutré des intérieurs et le bleu clinique des bureaux, affichant une élégance encore mieux repassée que les smokings de James Bond. Quant à la résolution accrue, elle ne trahit pas.
SON – Pas de gadgets tonitruants dans l’agence, mais une précision chirurgicale dans les dialogues (centrés) et les ambiances ouatées (bruissements, fond urbain) qui colle à l’espionnage de salon. Le mixage, d’une élégante discrétion, préfère donc murmurer son suspense à l’oreille que le crier sous les toits. Claire, équilibrée et immersive dans son intimité, la spatialisation en dit long… même quand elle ne fait pas de bruit (les silences tendus). VF moins enveloppante. Doublage soigné.
High-risk flight
Source France | Publisher : Metropolitan Video | Release date : 06 June 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.39
HDR10 | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
English Dolby Atmos
English DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles
French
Rated 3.5 out of 5
Artistic : 6 | Video : 10 | Audio : 9.5
WORK – Accrochez vos ceintures et éteignez vos cerveaux, car voilà un thriller aérien qui décolle sans plan de vol… Les clichés font autant de passages en cabine qu’un chariot de duty-free pendant des turbulences, l’intrigue suit une trajectoire balisée emplie de trous d’air et les SFX sortent d’un simulateur Windows 95*. Pourtant, cette série B old school qui ne réinvente pas le cockpit et voyage en classe éco (au côté d’une distribution solide) reste très divertissante et ne s’écrase pas.
* S'ils avaient raté l'embarquement lors de l'exploitation ciné, les CGI larguent les amarres sur supports physiques et passent même étonnamment bien à travers le hublot. Une retouche (plus que) bienvenue, loin d'être un vol d'essai dans l'industrie. Pour preuve, The Lion King (2019), Spider-Man: No Way Home, Morbius, Thor: Love and Thunder and The Flash ont réservé un siège ces dernières années.
IMAGE – Des instruments numériques de haut vol où la définition (stable), les contrastes (homogènes) et la palette colorimétrique (neutre) filent droit comme un avion bien réglé… assistés par le copilote compression qui ne vient pas à décrocher. Les textures sont encore plus chirurgicales qu’en 1080p (le crâne rasé de Marky Mark, les montagnes enneigées), le HDR10 turbine à plein régime (le ciel d’Alaska) et les noirs étoffés profitent à la pénombre (l’arrestation et l’atterrissage).
SON – Ne faisant pas dans le silence radio, la VO Dolby Atmos déploie ses ailes avec vigueur et garde le cap tout du long. Les moteurs grondent avec ampleur (les infra-graves sont régulièrement sollicités), les balles sifflent avec précision, les ambiances envahissent l’espace telle une rafale (les arrières et la verticalité sont pleinement exploités) et les dialogues restent clairs même lors des avaries. Évitant de rester sur le tarmac, la VF lossless (dynamique et bien répartie) arrive à bon port.
Subway
Source France | Publisher : Gaumont | Release date : 25 June 2025
Video format
2160p24 | Ratio 2.35
HDR10 | Dolby Vision | BT.2020
HEVC encoding | DI 4K
Soundtrack
French DTS-HD MA 5.0
French DTS-HD MA 2.0
Subtitles
French
English
Rated 3.5 out of 5
Artistic : 7 | Video : 8.5 | Audio : 8
WORK – Quand Luc Besson (Nikita, Leon) transforme le métro parisien en jungle électrique, les punks philosophent et les criminels dansent sous néons. Un clip new wave à l’arrière-goût de poudre et de saxophone, où la narration, dissoute dans le style, flotte comme une ligne de basse perdue dans un tunnel sans fin. Et carburant à l’errance chic de contrebande, cette cavale existentielle perchée fait se rencontrer un Lambert lunaire et une Adjani sous spleen glacé. Du culte en marge.
IMAGE – Grâce à cette restauration 4K (semble-t-il issue du négatif 35 mm d’origine), le métro n’a jamais autant transpiré la classe. Le grain argentique (variable en fonction de l’éclairage), couplé à un encodage solide, est sainement restitué. La précision du cadre, malgré quelques plans flous, est impressionnante. Les couleurs, aux teintes soulignées (les rouges), ne flirtent plus avec les dérives verdâtres. Et la plage de contrastes, étendue, donne autant de cran à l’obscurité qu’à la lumière.
SON – Ouverte à certaines ambiances surround (la rame de métro, l’agitation dans les couloirs) mais prioritairement frontale, la proposition 5.1 divague au rythme du score électro-jazz-rock d’Éric Serra, dynamique et usant de basses fréquences appréciables (alors même qu’il n’y a aucun canal de grave dédié). Truffés de non-sens poétique, de provocations à froid et de petites bombes existentielles lâchées l’air de rien, les dialogues ne sont pas toujours distincts. Piste 2.0 un peu plate.
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