4K Ultra HD – US Edition – Paramount Pictures – 115 min – 05 April 2022
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 4K
• Standard HDR: Dolby Vision
• Ratio: 2.39
Soundtrack
• English DTS-HD MA 7.1
• French (Parisian) Dolby Digital 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.
WORK – Ghostface is (again) back!
Twenty-five years after the peaceful city of Woodsboro was hit by a series of violent murders, a new killer is wearing Ghostface's mask and targeting a group of teenagers. He is determined to resurrect the dark secrets of the past.
If this (unwanted) renaissance ceased to pay homage to the first episode (and at Wes Craven) until she returned to the crime scene, she never managed to renew the slasher's formula (used up to the rope) and turned into a mischievous meta discourse (the concept was much sharper 25 years ago).
Little inspired, covered by lazy attacks and populated with characters to slam, this suite that forgot the suspense on the doorstep (Billy Loomis does not haunt the film) « screaming » with all its forces already seen (a pastiche of the best moments of the saga).
To return (the 6th opus was officially launched), the franchise will have to question itself (and not just a little) because it has been in circles for a very long time. But when she takes refuge in the past, can she only?
IMAGE – A sharp knife?
Taking the lead on its counterpart 1080p, this UHD Dolby Vision transfer all but flat (there is texture and depth) delivers rather eloquent images.
The definitional contribution is really significant (see the sharpness of the background), the details that are more intimate reveal more marked faces (wrinkles, make-up, pores of the skin, hairiness) or even more exposed decors/clothes/accessories (the kitchen when opening, the latex mask of the killer), and the HEVC compression is not felt.
The colorimetric palette is perfected with a healthier carnation and brighter primaries (the blue sky, the greenery of the small town, the red blood), the contrasts are optimized with more precise blacks and more ethereal whites (the sequence in the hospital's dark corridor is the perfect example), and the light sources exert a better shine (inner lighting, headlights and other gyrophars).
SON – Even more scared!
Despite the (incomprehensible) absence of a Dolby Atmos soundtrack even though it had been exploited in cinema, the DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix (reserved for VO) should not be neglected because it is solid and balanced with care.
The dynamics become fierce as soon as a blade is removed (and slices the bodies), the dialogues are clear and intelligible, the surrounding scene is occupied by sometimes detonating effects (such as the « classic » telephone ringing) and many environmental atmospheres, the bass box is stimulated at the slightest violent occasion (gunshots) and music frequents all speakers.
Less wide and precise, the VF(F) remains no less alive and engaged outside a little concerned dubbing.
CONCLUSION – The phone's ringing again
Needless to wait for a phone call to guess who is hiding (for the 5th time) behind Ghostface's mask, just throw the present 4K Ultra HD which, unlike the work he attends, is not in agony! So listen to the advice of the « final girl » and definitely prefer Mister Babaook.
Artistic note
4
Video quality
9
Audio quality
9
0
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