6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Cypher enlists the help of Jakob, Dom's younger brother to take revenge on Dom and his team.
Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris BridgesAction | 100% |
Thriller | 23% |
Crime | 9% |
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)
Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
French: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The Fast & Furious franchise has been steadily saturating the cinema landscape since 2001 when the original film, Director Rob Cohen's excellent The Fast and the Furious, sped into theaters and set the pace for a franchise that nobody could see coming, certainly not with this much ferocity, so much kinetic energy, all of this extensive depth and breadth, with such massive budgets, and almost limitless earnings potential. Two decades later, and now on the ninth film in the series (which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic), overcoming the loss of star Paul Walker (not to the franchise but to real-life tragedy), and managing to evolve into more involved (if not increasingly inane) plot lines, the franchise continues to hum along as one of the highest grossing of all time (currently ranked at #7 per CNBC). By now, Furious fans know what to expect: increasingly complicated stunts and insane action, an ever-ballooning character roster, and a universe plot line that continues to be stretched to its breaking point. But the films remain on-point; they deliver, no question about it, even if it's within the age-old context of "it is what it is."
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.
Universal's 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation of F9 offers modest gains over the excellent Blu-ray, offering the expected boosts to color grading and clarity, albeit not so
dramatically improved as to blow away the 1080p version. The refinements here add precision to both scales. The Dolby Vision grading offers superior
color management to bold tones in evidence throughout the film, like black cars, natural greens, fireballs, or even a red tractor seen at Toretto's farm in
the film's early minutes. Even washed-out skies
look more precise and lifelike. There is definitely a feel for livelier, deeper, more obviously accurate colors in this version. They are steadier, healthier,
just
more pleasant to be around and look at. Flesh tones look fuller and less overcooked overall. Whites enjoy the usual boost to luminance and intensity
while black levels are fuller, deeper, more absolute without overwhelming and crushing. Textural gains are agreeable, too. overall image clarity is
noticeably improved, and while the increase from the Blu-ray is not dramatic, the resolution bump allows superior definition to faces, clothes, and
various environments, whether natural or manmade. Noise management is better here, too. As far as UHDs go this one is merely good; it's not going to
stand head and shoulders apart from the larger 2160p family. But it's still a solid boost from the Blu-ray and well worth the extra cost to enjoy the film
looking its very best.
Is an audio review even necessary? Here's a Dolby Atmos mix for a high energy, relentlessly kinetic, massively budgeted Action film released in 2021 (and it's not from Disney) so of course the audio experience is going to be perfect. And perfect it is. Universal's audio presentation is a classic. It's got action aplenty spilling from every speaker with vehicular mayhem, incessant gunfire, rocking explosions, and score all filling the stage from above, behind, around, and up front with nothing but seamless excellence, perfectly placed discrete effects, and effortless audio cue movement and stage traversal. The subwoofer kicks in with ferocious intensity as needed, but the track is also well capable of defining mild atmosphere and subtle audio cues with equal elegance. Dialogue is clear and center positioned for the duration. No more need be said. This one is a beast and an easy candidate for track of the year 2021.
This UHD release of F9 includes two cuts: Theatrical (2:22:52) and Director's (2:29:55). On-disc supplements include an audio
commentary track, numerous featurettes, and a gag reel. A Blu-ray copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included with
purchase. This
release ships with an embossed slipcover. Note that the title of one of the supplements constitutes a major spoiler for the film and the franchise!
F9 is far from the best film in the series (that title still belongs to the original), but it might be its most emblematic since the original. The blend of high octane action and personal, intimate characterization with a tighter focus than some of the more sprawling past entries (which is all here, to be sure) altogether make this a fine entry and certainly a delight for longtime fans who know the series' ins-and-outs. For newcomers it's an adrenaline rush but established core fans will get the most from it. Universal's UHD is terrific. Excellent video and audio are expected, and delivered, and the disc includes a healthy allotment of bonus content as well. Recommended.
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2023
2017
2019
2006
2003
2009
20th Anniversary Edition
2001
Extended Edition
2013
2017
Extended Edition
2011
2023
2015
2018
2022
Collector's Edition
2021
2007
1967
Limited Edition / Reprint
2018
IMAX Enhanced
2020
2019