Dracula Untold 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Dracula Untold 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has been slowly but not necessarily steadily releasing relatively recent films to UHD, some that debuted prior to the format's arrival and some after. Dracula Untold falls in that former category, the film releasing to Blu-ray a good year or so prior to the 4K format's marketplace debut. The new disc contains no new supplements but does offer spiffy new video and a great new soundtrack, both replacing highly regarded Blu-ray presentations.

Dracula Untold 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.

Dracula Untold was shot on film and finished at 2K. Universal's 4K/HDR-enhanced UHD upscale delivers a pleasing image that boosts over the Blu-ray not substantially, but with enough added crispness and color depth to make the upgrade a worthwhile one. The image is impressively filmic; grain remains intact and complimentary, helping to bring out the finest in the textural qualities throughout the film, even as it's a relatively and consistently dark film. Even through the inherent limitations, sharp textural qualities are easy to spot. Skin tones are more complex here than at 1080p; pores show consistent depth and facial hair reveals fine detail strands, both evident even by candlelight. Flowing attire, more rigid armor, terrain, even down deep in some dark caves where only hints of light illuminate the interior walls reveal satisfying textural definition. The HDR-enhaned color palette shows no betrayal of the film's inherently dark and dense filtering. Skin tones enjoy a boost in depth. Well-lit exteriors -- as well lit as the film allows -- reveal capably deep and dense green grasses and splashes of significant color, such as red and blue attire or golden armor. But even earthy shades, blacks and blues, and deliberately drained hues reveal enhanced depth and clarity. Black levels, absolutely critical to the film's visual success, hold impressively firm. Neither artifacts nor print wear are of concern. This is certainly not the most attractive UHD if only for the movie's rather limited visual scope, but Universal's upscaled 4K/HDR presentation suits it very well.

Dracula Untold 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Dracula Untold's UHD release offers a boosted sound mix over the Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack, progressing to a DTS:X Master Audio presentation. The results are very impressive. The track certainly never wants for large-scale sonic aggression. Bats rush out of a cave early in the film, a mass of sound but a the same time distinct as the creatures rush through every speaker, which includes a tangible overhead component. Chapter six features a large assortment of varied and intensive sounds. More bats are a highlight, but so too are reverberating voices, cave atmospherics, and a swinging sword that swooshes around the stage with a precision metallic hum. Some of the larger battle scenes offer impressively defined yet still chaotic and immersive action: clanking swords, screams, crashes, even some throaty and intensive canon fire that results in impactful explosions and debris scattering in all directions throughout the listening area. When Vlad experiences his heightened senses for the first time, discrete effects and larger areas of dense and detailed saturation offer a compelling, immersive moment in the track. Lighter atmospherics are well defined and properly positioned, whether dripping water in a cave or light breezy winds outside. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized from a natural front-center location. The movie's sound design lends itself very well to the expansive DTS:X format and Universal's offering never disappoints.

Dracula Untold 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Universal's UHD release of Dracula Untold contains no new bonus content. The UHD disc does contain the audio commentary track. All supplements can be found the included Blu-ray, which is identical to the disc Universal released back in 2015. Below is a list of what extras are included. Please click here for more. A UV digital copy code is also included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary
• Luke Evans: Creating a Legend
• Alternate Opening
• Deleted Scenes
• Day in the Life: Luke Evans
• Dracula Retold
• Slaying 1000
• The Land of Dracula

Dracula Untold 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dracula Untold certainly doesn't rank amongst the elite films featuring the world's most famous vampire, but it offers a somewhat substantial tale of his origins in a movie that manages a satisfying balance between slick and gritty. It's overwhelmingly dark both visually and narratively. Production design is impressive, performances are fine, and the movie plays at a tidy pace with little filler. Universal's UHD is very good. The HDR-enhanced and upscaled 2K presentation sourced from a film shoot delivers a pleasing boost over Blu-ray. The same can said of the reference-grade DTS:X soundtrack. No new extras are included, but the ported supplements are fine. Recommended to newcomers and fans will find the UHD a worthy addition to their collections or replacement for the Blu-ray.