6.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A look at how American football players suffer from major head injuries and life-long debilitating problems as a result of repeated concussions and efforts by the National Football League to deny it.
Starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David MorseSport | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Sony has released a 4K UHD Blu-ray release of Concussion day-and-date with the 1080p Blu-ray, the first such release from the studio.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.
Most living things are fragile. Some are more resilient than others, and while man may fall somewhere in the middle of the most hearty-hardly
hearty organism scale (completely unscientific placement), his brain power -- reason, logic, memory, discovery -- have allowed him to
cheat the system, to learn how to become stronger, more immune, and generally safer from the most common pitfalls to be found out there in the
wild.
Combine
that with his unique dexterity and he can build shelter, grow food, and take natural and manmade medicines. He's learned how to eat right, take
care
of his body, and live longer and stronger than ever before. Indeed, the human brain -- and the entire human body, for that matter -- is a
marvelous
thing, the thing that has allowed man to rise in the ranks to the top of the food chain and make his world a better place. Yet that human brain
remains a very fragile thing. For all its complex wonders, there's not a lot of cushioning around it. A blow to the head can be fatal, or it can cause
irreversible trauma. Protecting the head is paramount in nearly every activity that involves some form of risk, like riding a skateboard or a
motorcycle, working in construction, or playing sports, perhaps the most satisfying, yet potentially dangerous, of "friendly" human endeavors and
competition. That want, that almost innate need, to take risks for the sake of the goal seems a uniquely human
characteristic, much like all of the aforementioned gifts that have seen mankind improve his place in the world over the years. Football has long
recognized the need to protect the head, and the technology that does so has greatly improved over the years, from leather pads to the custom fitting gear of today that are the safest they've ever
been. But even that's not enough. Concussion tells the story of a doctor, a man completely distanced from the passion, propaganda, and
power that dominates in the National Football League, who challenged the status quo that head injuries were serious business and that the game
itself
was driving many of its players into an early grave.
Sony's 2160p UHD/HDR release of Concussion offers modest improvements and refinements over its already stellar Blu-ray release.
Generally,
looking at it in full and away from raw A-B comparisons, the image immensely satisfies. Details are outstanding, exquisitely refined and effortlessly
complex. Facial pores and
other features are probably the most immediately striking component. Close-ups are captivatingly realistic. The digital source is indeed a touch flat
and
inorganic
-- there's not much of a tactile, textural feel to the movie -- but that doesn't prevent the source material from capturing seriously complex detailing
as
intimate as the camera can capture, the television can display, and the human eye can see. The movie was reportedly photographed at 3.4K and finished at 2K; neither the
standard Blu-ray nor the UHD make any mention that they were "Mastered in 4K," leaving it likely that this UHD is simply an up-convert from the 2K
DI.
Still, there's no mistaking the UHD's ability to offer finely honed pinpoint detailing across the board, which also includes surgical scrubs, fine attire,
and
small accents around medical facilities, courtrooms, homes, and offices, is quite the sight to see. Black levels hold true. Source noise or any other
artifacts are never
problematic.
The UHD disc is definitely a little more flush and full. Color depth is certainly greater with the HDR brush-up, though whether the slightly warmer
flesh
tones and generally deeper palette are reflective of the photographic intent is anyone's guess. It's not quite as cold as the BD, but it still hangs on
to
its broader color scheme while tightening up some of the more prominent colorings. Details are definitely a little more refined, too. Pores and
wrinkles
are a little deeper, and even where the Blu-ray doesn't quite reach the absolute finest little skin details -- where it smoothes out even just a tiny bit
on
cheeks, chins, or foreheads -- there's more raw detail on the UHD. It's not leaps-and-bounds better, but it is noticeable. That's on a direct A-B
compare, though. Anyone watching the standard BD, particularly on anything other than a gigantic screen size, won't feel as if they're missing out on
anything. Both are plenty good. At 65", the differences are noticeable, but not so
revolutionary as to render the Blu-ray obsolete. UHD/HDR scoring is still in its evolutionary phase. The release looks terrific, but is it a "5?"
Arguably, yes, but it's neither the sort of image that defines the UHD/HDR experience or, even if it's simply by the film's own nature, presents a
canvas that truly dazzles in every respect. 4.0-4.5 feels more apropos at this stage of the format's lifespan.
Beyond the boost in video resolution and HDR colors, Sony has further spruced up Concussion with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, replacing the standard Blu-ray's traditional DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. This review is based on a 7.1.4 setup, which is the "traditional" seven-channel plus subwoofer configuration with the addition of four "object" or "overhead" speakers to the mix. Unfortunately, there's not much to distinguish one from the other. The Atmos track, with the added back-surround channels, feels more enveloping at several key junctures, chief amongst them at a dance club where Omalu and Prema share their first dance to the song Move Ya Body by Nina Sky. Music, whether popular or score, enjoys terrific spatial awareness, separation about the stage, and flawless clarity. Instrumentals are precise and the sense of big, cinematic detailing is terrific. Trains rattle and power through the stage with a heavy, foreshadowing presence. Again, the sense of precision placement and clarity to the effect is notable. Mike Webster's injection at the 22-minute mark is a revelation in sound delivery. Gentle rain falls in chapter seven, but the Atmos overhead speakers fail to offer a serious overhead sensation. Dialogue delivery enjoys rich clarity and natural center placement. Prioritization is always excellent. As a general listen, there are no complaints; as an Atmos track, it's a bit underwhelming. Score it 5/5 for its raw excellence, but the real lack of notable use of the overhead channels knocks the final score down.
While Concussion contains no new "supplements" on the UHD disc (the commentary track is available on the UHD disc), it does offer a slick new menu system (and presumably the early standard for Sony UHD releases) in which different pages are selected by scrolling up and down and side-to-side. Beyond the usual scene selection and language tabs, there's also an option to watch character-specific highlights under the "Moments" tab for Dr. Bennet Omalu (16:04), Prema (13:24), Dr. Julian Bailes (12:43), and Dr. Cyril Wecht (9:42), all of which offer both 2160p video and Dolby Atmos audio. There's also a Cast & Crew tab that appears to only offer a still image accompanied by character and actor name. All of the previous edition's supplements carry over on the included 1080p Blu-ray disc (click here for more information). The 1080p Blu-ray and a UV digital copy code is also included with purchase.
Concussion brings a serious discussion about sports and safety to the forefront. The medicine surrounding concussions is improving. The NFL is re-examining its concussion protocols. Other sports are taking the issue seriously. One can only wonder, though, whether it's all enough considering that athletes are getting faster and stronger by the season; do those incremental improvements in athletic ability offset incremental improvements in player safety? This is not an easy film to watch. What happens to the former players is harrowing, and just as disturbing is the larger world around the NFL that pushes back against Dr. Omalu's findings. The movie doesn't enjoy much of a traditional "entertainment" value but it's a very well done dramatized exposé and a must-see. Sony's UHD release of Concussion features very strong 2160p video and an Atmos track that does everything well, except offer a more organic or noticeable overhead presence. A few good extras are included on the 1080p disc. Buyers with the proper equipment to run this release should have no reservations about choosing it over the standard release. Highly recommended.
2011
2016
Target Exclusive 30 mins of Bonus Content
2013
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1993
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2015
2009
2016
2021
Commemorative Edition
2001
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2017
2017
2021
2006
1998
Special Edition
2010