4K Ultra HD – UK Edition – Universal Pictures – 109 min – 20 September 2021
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 4K
• Standard HDR: HDR10
• Ratio: 2.35
Soundtrack
• English DTS-X
• French (Parisian) SDR 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 – Earth in Antarctica!
In the heart of Antarctica, twelve scientists saw a dog chased by hysterical Norwegians trying to shoot him from a helicopter. This one crashes leaving the twelve men with the dog and questions. But at night, the dog gets convulsions...
Fascinating, captivating, scary and paranoid, The Thing is a timeless masterpiece with trying suspense, implacable script, perfect casting (even dogs that is to say) and special effects still as impressive nearly 40 years after their makings (the thing is an extraterrestrial creature really nightmaredesque). Simply the most striking horror film in the history of cinema with Alien, the eighth passenger !
IMAGE – It's cold!
From a 4K scan of the original negatives, this UHD HDR10 transfer takes off the retina !.. It must be said that the images, captured in 35 mm with the use of anamorphic lenses (where the presence of sometimes blurred edges) are just fantastic with a noticeable gain of relief (day and night) vis-à-vis the previous Blu-ray.
Compression is of any strength (no artefact is travel), the silver grain is much finer than in the past (although rare plans betray the moderate use of DNR), the details appear to be much more perceptible (faces, clothes and decors), the colour palette is illustrated with an unprecedented richness (primitives jump to the eyes), the contrasts use a greater thoroughness (it is darker now) to add depth to the least enlightened corners of the research station (and its surroundings), and the HDR's contribution is subtle enough to increase the high lights without excess (torches, fire, outdoor loupes).
SON – In the ice, no one will hear you scream!
From the chase of the dog by helicopter, the marked presence of the height scene we « alert » on the 3D remix operation in VO... What the background noises of the storm and the action of the flamethrower will never cease to remind!
Featuring an unprecedented development, this DTS:X track allows you to live the work more viscerally. The dynamic is not there to laugh, the atmospheres simmer everywhere, the dialogues are always clear, the bass box is savourily pressed (see explosions) and the slow pulses of the score are rhythmic.
Deciding in the rendering of its effects and less deployed at the rear (not to mention the absence of the verticality of the sound), the VF remains a dreadful vehemence for a mid-debit DTS track.
What « amazing » If so, the elements of the mixing are not always broadcast with the same volume from one soundtrack to another... The sound effects (except a small amount which, unlike previous mixing 4.1 and 5.1, may lack clarity) have for example more biting in VO where the music takes over in VF.
CONCLUSION – The thing is among us...
Finally available on 4K Ultra HD support, John Carpenter's classic indisputable is rewarded with high-end A/V services that give a big boost to this « Old » Horror!
Artistic note
10
Video quality
9
Audio quality
8.5
0
The best horror movie with Alien, everything is said! ^^^
I only saw it on DVD, I'd like to see the difference!
Facing the DVD, I don't even imagine the gap!!!
To no doubt, it would be a complete rediscovery for you. 😉
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