First of all and for the sake of transparency, know that in my opinion the primary goal of a good UHD transfer and soundtrack is to respect the original intentions for the image and soundtrack. This remark is very important for you to understand that the silver grain is not in any way an image defect but a artistic will. Moreover, but you must already know if you have been following me for a long time, it is the VO that I listen to preferably and therefore the one that I note in the end. So don't be surprised to find in the different rankings of editions offering only a VF lossy.
Then I would like to award a favourite to the publisher Sony Pictures. Why? Because to this day it is the reference in the field (not to mention the IMAX Enhanced label here). It's very simple, the image quality is constantly there (for the films in the catalogue, all restorations are made from a scan of the original negative) and the sound tracks are not left out either (a quasi-systematic remix in Dolby Atmos). So yes, some are going to tell me that there's a lot of grain on some of their releases, but it's the only publisher ever to apply a noise reducer (from Digital Noise Reduction if you prefer) for a silver texture of all beauty.
This is also what the Ultra HD 4K support allows, namely the return of real silver grain which could not be fully preserved on Blu-rays (editors have always applied and continue to apply a more or less visible DNR on Blu-ray editions of granular-image films), for a palpable cinematic sensation (and more dynamic also thanks to the contribution of HDR) which was previously impossible in home-cinema. And it's obvious about the 4K DI films shot in Super 35 mm (The Fifth Element, Starship Troopers, Tiger and Dragon, etc.). Between increased resolution, greater disk space and better controlled compression, they were able to recover from their superb d After, whether we like the rendering or not, it's a whole other story with the eternal debate of « I like or I don't like grain ».
Finally, I couldn't set a top without talking about Disney editor and his anemic soundtracks. You will soon notice, but there is in the top no title belonging to this heavyweight publisher of the market. Why would you tell me? I will answer you because they are clearly back in the sound field. For some years now, soundtracks made in Disney are like « on the reservation » with a dull recording volume, packed dynamics and shy basses. And that's a shame because video quality is top in this publisher. Come on Disney, thanks for thinking about the owners of « True » home cinema and more only to the holders of sound bars.
As my introduction is over, don't lose a second and get to the standings...
Contents
Gemini Man
SF's Thriller, which smells good 90s, this very distracting B series reveals itself in HFR 60 fps for a visual spectacle of hyperrealism to « if the retina is removed ». With a fluidity of all kinds (it changes 24 images per second!) and surgical sharpness, these UHD Dolby Vision images (the WCG accentuates the vitality of the primary and the HDR considerably strengthens the intensity of the lighting) from a DI 4K project what the human eye perceives in the real world. With a fierce dynamic and ultra-realistic spatialisation (including high-level channels), this Dolby Atmos soundtrack (reserved for VO) is an acoustic demonstration of every moment.
Paramount Pictures – UK edition
Format 1.85 – DI 4K – HFR – Dolby Vision
English Dolby Atmos – French (Parisian) Dolby Digital 5.1
Artistic note : 7.5 // Video quality : 10 // Audio quality : 10
1917 (ex æquo)
Historical suspense with the Great War as a backdrop, 1917 is based on a technical prowess (a unique ingenious false plan-sequence) that is truly illustrated in 4K Ultra HD. Traumatized by the trenches, the Blu-ray (fade and little detailed in comparison) fails to overcome the stakes that are being played (except on the side of the soundtracks where it smacks with the same assets... i.e. an enveloping 3D mixing that dispatches its aerial body and makes the powder speak when necessary) where its UHD counterpart is in full possession of its means (spinned with madness, calibration designed for the HDR versions, high luminances better trimmed, lighting of a disconcerting natural). Deploying magnificent images and developing a very immersive soundtrack that plunges us into the heart of the no man
Universal Pictures – Edition FR
Format 2.39 – DI 4K – HDR10+ – Dolby Vision
English Dolby Atmos – French Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Artistic note : 9.5 // Video quality : 10 // Audio quality : 10
Joker (ex æquo)
No more laughter, DC found his masterpiece in this real movie lesson... A great dramatic work transcended by a Joaquin Phoenix in the skin of a psychopath Joker, herald of the social violence of an era. And to accompany this inexorable fall into madness, what better than a technically unattainable 4K Ultra HD where visual power (an extremely detailed 4K Dolby Vision transfer to the falsely silvery texture of absolute refinement, with somewhat unsaturated colors and more flamboyant lighting) and sound (a 3D mix to the welcome sobriety where urban atmospheres spread sneakyly in the spherical space and where the score really has a lot of weight) overflows at every moment?
Warner Bros. – EN edition
Format 1.85 – DI 4K – HDR10 – Dolby Vision
English and French Dolby Atmos – English and French DTS-HD MA 5.1
Artistic note : 10 // Video quality : 10 / Audio quality : 10
Parasite
Tragic farce eminently well-broken and interpreted that revisits in camera the class struggle, this unpredictable and decapitating political-social satire « invited » with virtuosity on 4K Ultra HD support. Revealing extremely finer details than in HD, this mastered HDR10 UHD transfer adds personality to the places of action (better designed contrasts, well-enriched light sources and more intense colorimetric palette). With absolute refinement, the Korean soundtrack Dolby Atmos is fabulous. Ultra-precise in the placement of its effects, immersive when it fills the space of atmospheres (anti-weak, deluge, flood) and intense when it faithfully engages the music, difficult in these conditions not to get into the film.
The Jokers – Edition FR
Format 2.39 – DI 4K – HDR10
Korean Dolby Atmos – French DTS-HD MA 5.1 – Korean and French DTS-HD MA 2.0
Artistic note : 9 // Video quality : 10 // Audio quality : 9.5
Le Mans 66
Human adventure above all that shows an undeniable know-how, this biopic of motorsport « Old » quickly finds its cruising speed in 4K Ultra HD. Cleanly more organic in its rendering, this UHD HDR10 transfer to the titanium compression no has stopped flaunting the retina (gain in clarity, more precise definition, significantly improved details, more natural colors with increased saturation, well enriched contrasts and more shiny light sources). Awarded for the Oscar for the best sound editing, the VO Dolby Atmos is the best acoustic proposal available on the support!!! Using its verticality as soon as necessary while engaging all the horizontal enclosures with an almost incredible directivity, it also benefits from an ultra-sportive dynamic and phenomenal bass (cf. mechanical roaring).
20th Century Fox – Edition EN
Format 2.39 – DI 2K – HDR10
English Dolby Atmos – English DTS-HD MA 2.0 – French DTS 5.1
Artistic note : 9.5 // Video quality : 9.5 // Audio quality : 10
The call from the forest
Provided with a splendid image and very energetic enveloping soundtracks at the possible that greatly improve the Blu-ray experience (cf. the notable increase in detail, the realism of lighting and the verticality of 3D mixing), make full adventures and large wild spaces in front of the 4K Ultra HD of the joyous family entertainment The call from the forest.
20th Century Studios – US Edition
Format 2.39 – DI 4K – HDR10
English Dolby Atmos – French (Parisian) Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Artistic note : 7.5 // Video quality : 10 // Audio quality : 9.5
Ad Astra
Far from being a simple SF film with a big show, this melancholic and contemplative space odyssey flies deeper into space in 4K Ultra HD. With infinite precision, this UHD HDR10 transfer stops sublimating the beautiful photography « abrupt » of the work (grain 35 mm more firm, notable increase in detail, enriched colorimetric palette, advanced contrasts, deeper blacks and brighter light sources). Mixed by Gary Rydstrom at Skywalker Ranch, this incredible soundtrack on this Dolby Atmos edition (for the huge VO), is an unforgettable « walk » acoustics with very striking realism (monstrous basses, ultra-minuous spatialization, very present surrounds, regularly requested aerial scene and dynamic with quite demential energy).
20th Century Fox – Edition EN
Format 2.39 – DI 4K – HDR10
English Dolby Atmos – French SDR 5.1
Artistic note : 9.5 // Video quality : 9.5 // Audio quality : 10
Terminator: Dark Fate
Following the second opus, this race against death, which follows spectacular pieces of bravery, is adorned with its most beautiful blockbuster in 4K Ultra HD. Particularly hilarious, the images of this UHD HDR10 transfer are much better than the 1080p version (clearer details, firm colours, better applied lighting and enhanced contrasts). As it should be, the VO Dolby Atmos imposes without difficulty as a top demo (power not retained, dynamic weight-heavy, extremely open sound scene, devastating spatialization, seasoned aerial channels, score « familiar » enveloping and ultra-physical bass).
20th Century Fox – Edition EN
Format 2.39 – DI 2K – HDR10
English Dolby Atmos – French SDR 5.1
Artistic note : 7 // Video quality : 9.5 // Audio quality : 10
Midway
Historically impeccable, this great war film that carbides to air battles is even more haunting in 4K Ultra HD. Captured in digital before the post-production addition of a typed grain 35 mm, these beautiful vintage images (more organic texture, larger definition, more living sepia colors, details in the higher, more realistic lights) transcribe to perfection the time when the action takes place. Despite the absence of a Dolby Atmos track (present on the US disk), it must be admitted that the VO DTS-HD MA 7.1 is spectacular at all possible (supported basses, displacement of ultra-precise effects and intense dynamic scene) and deploys a real arsenal of pyrotechnic effects (projectiles and explosions at all-va) to better plunge us into the hell of armed conflict.
Metropolitan Video – English edition
Format 2.39 – DI 2K – HDR10 – Dolby Vision
English and French DTS-HD MA 7.1
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 9.5 // Audio quality : 10
Dr Dolittle's Journey
This new adaptation of Hugh Lofting's novels is a hair and feather adventure for the little ones, which takes Downey's arch inside of a top-quality 4K Ultra HD. The image of a remarkable sharpness is full of vitality with colors of deep richness. The soundtrack is solid with dynamic action and fully enveloping atmospheres.
Universal Pictures – Edition FR
Format 1.85 – DI 2K – HDR10+ – Dolby Vision
English Dolby Atmos – French Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Artistic note : 6 // Video quality : 10 // Audio quality : 9.5
Bloodshot
B series stupid but terribly fun at the back of the 90s, Bloodshot is a guilty pleasure where the weapon of mass destruction interpreted by « baboulinet » Never need to be recharged in 4K Ultra HD. Armed with an over-stylish image and a reference soundtrack suitable for carnage, the action addicts should be delighted... especially that improvements to the Blu-ray are also visible (even higher clearance, significant implementation of the HDR and explosive colorimetric palette) that can be used (« bubble » immersive of all moments and ultra-physical basses).
Sony Pictures – UK Edition
Format 2.39 – DI 4K – HDR10
English Dolby Atmos – French (Parisian) DTS-HD MA 5.1
Artistic note : 7 // Video quality : 9.5 // Audio quality : 10
Wouldn't godzilla vs kong be missing? Image and top level, just like fury road
He was released in 2021. 😉
It is a top 2020 only. At the end of the year, I'll be writing the 2021 one and an article about the best 4K Ultra HD support... Since 2016! 😉