Ex Machina 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.5

Ex Machina 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Maybe there’s a parlor game someone can create to explain the linkage between a trifecta of catalog items Lionsgate has chosen to release in tandem in the 4K UHD format. Dredd 3D, Snitch and Ex Machina (the links point to the original 1080p releases) would seem to have relatively little in common, but for 4K UHD aficionados, there are both visual and aural pleasures to be had.

Ex Machina 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Ex Machina is presented on 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 2.39:1*. This is to my eyes the nicest looking and clearest upgrade of the three films being released simultaneously on 4K UHD by Lionsgate. Presumably the film's 4K DI was sourced for this transfer, and the uptick in fine detail levels and more nuanced reproduction of a really interesting palette are noticeable from the get go. Even the first few seconds detailing the office environment where Caleb gets notified of his prize win have some really beautiful new tones in the colors adorning the walls. The digital effects on Kevin's face when he's scanned also are more precise looking. Some of the most breathtaking changes are in the gorgeous vistas of external environments that are first part of the flyover scene, but which are later used interstitially. Fine detail on textures like veined leaves or branches is almost staggering at times. Kind of interestingly, given the sleek, almost textureless look of the ultra modern interior of Bateman's mansion, there are subtle upticks in fine detail here, as in the pattern of wood paneling in Caleb's room. One of the coolest (actually warmest, in terms of color temperature) changes in the 4K UHD version comes in the many red hued scenes, which have a real depth in this version that they lacked in the 1080p version. Despite the prevalence of reds in several key scenes, fine detail levels remain strong throughout. The many cool gray scenes have new tonal balances as well. Shadow detail, an area I found lacking in the 1080p presentation, is noticeably improved throughout this version. As I've tended to do in some other 4K UHD presentations, and something which I freely admit may simply be part of my visual cortex processing, I perceived some very slight judder at times, as with some tree branches when cameras panned during outdoor moments.

*Note: The site automatically measures the aspect ratio of our screenshots, which in this case reported 2.40:1, the aspect ratio of the 1080p Blu-ray version. A member has private messaged me to report he physically measured the 4K UHD presentation and it is in 2.39:1.

Ex Machina 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

I didn't yet have a receiver able to decode DTS:X when I reviewed the Blu-ray release of Ex Machina, but I still gave the audio top marks. There's not a whale of a lot of difference between the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix and the DTS:X mix on the 4K UHD disc, but some of the effects are noticeably more present in midair, including some of the effulgent synth pads that make up parts of the score. There's also some fantastic panning in the early sequence featuring the helicopter, a sequence which also offers some surprising low end that isn't quite as noticeable on the Blu-ray version. The cloistered setting of the film probably inhibits more showy audio effects, but this track offers superb fidelity and a glut of nicely placed sound effects which help to create a suitably otherwordly ambience.

Ex Machina 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

In a slight step backward, the 4K UHD disc ports over none of the supplements from the Blu-ray release (hence the lack of a score above). The 1080p Blu-ray disc included with this release contains all of the supplements detailed in our Ex Machina Blu- ray review. The two other 4K UHD releases coming out from Lionsgate in tandem with Ex Machina port over all of the supplements from their original 1080p Blu-ray releases.

Ex Machina 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ex Machina remains a fascinating and thought provoking enterprise, and the good news is it looks and sounds incredible on 4K UHD. Lionsgate refrained from including the Blu-ray disc's supplements, as they've been doing lately (and indeed did with the two other 4K UHD re-releases that are coming out in tandem with Ex Machina), which is the bad news. At least those supplements are still accessible on the Blu-ray disc included with this release. Highly recommended.