4.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her.
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eric Johnson (I), Eloise Mumford, Bella HeathcoteRomance | 100% |
Erotic | 59% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS:X
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS Headphone:X
Spanish: DTS 5.1
French (Canada): DTS 5.1
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
To say that the original Fifty Shades of Grey was poorly received by critics would be an understatement. Even as the source novel was a worldwide sensation and the film was a box office smash, the picture represented a sharp divide between mainstream audiences hungry for a filmed adaptation of E. L. James' novel and cinephiles who couldn't look past the film's shortcomings. With a box office more than ten times the budget, it's no surprise that a sequel has come out of the gate so quickly. Also based on the second book in the trilogy, Fifty Shades Darker explores the characters in greater depth, pushes their relationship to new bounds both in the bedroom and in the heart, and introduces a pair of antagonists who will darken the days of the dominant Christian and the submissive Anastasia. Even as the film progresses the story, it hasn't gained much ground in terms of quality of product. It's slickly made but empty, defined by poor performances and cliché storytelling mechanics wrapped around several of the franchise's trademark titillating scenes of bondage and kink.
Note: The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.
Fifty Shades Darker was reportedly shot at 3.4K but finished at 2K, making this, presumably, an
upscale from that source. The image is a solid one at 2160p, offering a noticeable, but not significant, uptick in detail. Anastasia's hair is much more
refined here, offering a boost in individual strand clarity and identification. Facial features are sharper, more finely revealing of little details and flaws
that are noticeably lost on the 1080p, even outside of a direct comparison. The differences become a bit more noticeable when checking various scenes
out back-to-back rather than just watching the movie through. The 4K release is much tighter, showing much more refinement to every surface detail.
Colors are noticeably changed. The HDR-boosted color palette is much warmer. Skin tones are deeper, a bit more red, but feel more natural. The
Blu-ray is comparatively pasty. There's much more nuance and deeper saturation to practically every shade. A few scenes appear organically different
insofar as the color temperature has been so altered that the scenes take on a different emotional dynamic. It's not serious in any but a few moments,
but the movie is so empty otherwise it really doesn't matter. Black levels, as seems to be the norm with the format, are a shade less deep here.
Overall, it's a better image, but more by incremental degrees rather than a major alteration, particularly to detailing. The color palette is more of an
obvious difference.
Fifty Shades Darker features a DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. The movie might not immediately appear to be one that would benefit from such a high end configuration, but it makes honest and somewhat regular use of the added backside and top-layer speakers at its disposal. Thunder gently rolls along the top (and filters through the rest of the stage) in an early scene. Elevator music heard inside a grocery store around the 18-minute mark enjoys a pleasing upside layering. Environmental sounds at an art gallery filter through with realistic presence, and the more aggressive din at a masquerade essentially draws the listener into the high dollar event. City ambience, such as traffic, sirens, and chatty pedestrians enter the stage with very pleasing immersion. A fireworks show at film's end enjoys tangible overhead pops. The track never lets the listener go too long without some interesting and engaging sound effects, many of which make strong use of that overhead configuration. Music enjoys expert richness and definition, strong instrumental clarity and seamless front-side width along with gently supportive back channel usage. A couple of notable action-esque effects deliver a satisfying level of depth and detail, notably a helicopter crash in the third act. Dialogue still drives much of the film, however, and it's presented with all the expected clarity of a new release film.
Fifty Shades Darker contains several featurettes, deleted scenes, and a preview for the next film in the franchise. This release also contains
two cuts of the film: Theatrical (1:57:48) and Unrated (2:11:28). A voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy is included with purchase. All of the
supplements are included on the 1080p Blu-ray disc.
Fifty Shades Darker hardly qualifies as smart moviemaking. Edgy, maybe, but beyond its signature sex-capades is a vacuous character drama with little to offer beyond various romps and sex toys and their rather explicit usage. Universal's UHD release offers a better picture. It's a modest upgrade, but immediately noticeable, again, one that 1080p-only viewers will not necessarily miss, but one that 4K owners will find worth the upgrade. It sits in that murky middle ground where 1080p borders on "good enough" while the 4K is better enough to notice, but not dominate, for lack of a better term, its modestly inferior competition. Audio and supplements are fine. Fans can buy with confidence and should choose this version if they're 4K-capable, or plan to be in the future.
2017
Unrated Edition | Fifty Shades Freed Fandango Cash
2017
with bonus content
2017
Deluxe Edition | with bonus content and gift with purchase
2017
2017
2017
Unrated Edition
2017
Unrated Edition
2018
Unrated Edition
2015
Special Edition - Theatrical Version
2011
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Special Edition
2010
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2022
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Charlie St Cloud
2010