4K Ultra HD – US Edition – Warner Bros. – 119 min – 1 October 2019
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 2K
• Standard HDR: HDR10
• Ratio: 1.85
Soundtrack
• Spanish DTS-HD MA 5.1
Subtitles
• English
• Spanish
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.
WORK – innocence is stronger than evil
Spain 1944. Ofelia settled with her mother in a garrison led by Vidal, her stepfather, authoritarian captain of the Franco army. Near the large family house, the girl discovers a strange maze guarded by a creature named Pan. The monster reveals to her that she is none other than the princess of an enchanted kingdom. In order to discover the truth, Ofelia will have to submit to three trials that nothing prepared him to face...
Anchored in a sad historical reality (French Spain) and populated by human watches (Vidal, the incarnation of fascism) or imaginary (such as Fauna and Male Pale), this variation ofAlice in Wonderland is a fairy tale for adults as bewitching as it is fascinating, where the wonderful one prevails over totalitarianism not without shed tears and blood. A rare beauty (the staging is a crazy elegance) and an unusual writing depth, this fantastic major work is a hybrid film (between horrific fable and historical drama) where it is good to get lost in the maze.
IMAGE – The hollow tree, the dining room and the underground world
Operator the same 2K master from the original 35 mm negative as his HD counterpart appeared at Criterion in 2016 (which I don't own) without the color changes approved by Guillermo del Toro, this UHD HDR10 transfer is somewhat disappointing...
Because if the higher resolution of the format allows this presentation 2160p to gain sharpness, the use of a noise reducer (some less excessive than on the Blu-ray New Line Cinema 2007 makes the images lose details while changing the beautiful silver texture of the work from one plane to another (globally preserved despite everything). Similarly, if the contrasts are now more marked and allow dark scenes to be more refined, it is regrettable that a handful of blacks are showing with a clear lack of depth.
Compression is no longer a problem, the colorimetric palette with ochre and golden hues benefits from better saturation, and the light sources shine with a new radiance (light of the day is radiant).
SON – Magic doesn't exist!
Despite the absence of the track « alternative » 7.1 Yet present on the two previous Blu-ray (!), this 5.1 mixing remastered from the original medium remains remarkably immersive.
Spatialisation is perfectly orchestrated with a very wide sound field, Javier Navarrete's fantasy score is as clear as it is enveloping, the rear scene is incredibly active, the bass come out of the wood as soon as action allows and the dynamics are intensely strong.
CONCLUSION – Dream or reality?
Guided by an ultra HD 4K with lucid dreams, this little girl who was afraid to become a woman (under a fascist regime) will yet be raised up through her faith in the imagination (the resolute hope of a better world). When the woman's body is no longer damaged, it becomes a territory of freedom!
Artistic note
9
Video quality
7.5
Audio quality
9
0
What did I like about this movie? It sweats an atmosphere without equivalent. A touching and controlled tale from beginning to end!
What more can I say? 😉