Testing the Best New 4K Releases
As part of my ongoing mission to push home cinema setups to their limits, I have spent the month evaluating seven new 4K Blu-ray discs. For these tests, I utilized a reference system comprising an LG G6 OLED TV, a Panasonic DP-UB820 player, and the Samsung HW-Q990C 11.1.4 soundbar. The focus here is strictly on picture and audio quality.
Project Hail Mary
This sci-fi adaptation delivers a visual masterclass. The 4K transfer excels in contrast, rendering the deep black void of space with exceptional precision while maintaining stellar shadow detail within the ship’s corridors. Dolby Vision brings a vibrant, punchy color palette to the screen, especially regarding Ryland Grace’s iconic yellow attire. The Dolby Atmos track is equally impressive, offering an immersive soundscape that maps subtle effects—like the movement of a space suit—across the rear channels with great clarity.
Michael
The Michael Jackson biopic offers a polished, high-budget presentation. Its primary strength lies in the concert sequences, where the Dolby Atmos mix provides a sophisticated balance between vocal clarity and instrumentation. Visually, the film features vibrant, lifelike colors. The 4K disc shines during performance scenes, showcasing excellent contrast and depth that highlight the intricacies of stage lighting and production design.
Troy
Arrow Video’s 4K restoration of this epic is a triumph of detail. The textures on display, particularly regarding armor and skin tones, possess a lifelike, three-dimensional quality. While the disc lacks Dolby Atmos, the DTS-HD 5.1 MA track is highly effective, utilizing surround channels to create a visceral sense of battle, complete with clear directional audio for arrows and clashing steel.
West Side Story
This legendary musical benefits immensely from its 4K restoration. The colors of 1950s Manhattan are vivid without being oversaturated, and the skin textures have been significantly refined. The DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack, sourced from the original 70mm master, offers a clean, balanced audio experience where musical numbers sound crisp and well-defined across all channels.
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey
Another strong restoration from Arrow, this disc emphasizes bold, neon aesthetics. The color reproduction is vibrant, maintaining accuracy even in the darkest sequences of the afterlife. The audio performance is a standout; the DTS-HD 5.1 MA track provides a surprising level of detail, from the distinct hum of time-travel effects to the powerful bass in the film's musical sequences.
Hunt For The Wilderpeople
The lush New Zealand landscape is the star of this release. The vibrant greens of the wilderness are captured beautifully, providing a striking contrast to the character’s bold clothing. The audio track is notably atmospheric; bird calls and environmental sounds are mapped accurately to the rear speakers, creating a natural and immersive experience for the viewer.
Mars Attacks!
Tim Burton’s alien invasion romp looks better than ever in 4K. The film’s gaudy Las Vegas aesthetic is enhanced by excellent color saturation and deep black levels. The Dolby Atmos track is a highlight, featuring punchy, controlled bass during explosion sequences and effective use of height channels as spacecraft zoom across the screen.