Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Fifty Shades Freed 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Fifty Shades of HDR.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman April 26, 2018

The Fifty Shades film series has emerged as the 21st century's big budget cinema answer to "Skinamax." Loose plots and looser clothes have resulted in, what, around six hours of the not-so-fabled romance between Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), the man as hunky as he is rich, and Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), the beautiful girl-next-door who falls for the man whose bondage playroom is larger than many apartments. Perhaps the novels are richer in texture and flavor -- this reviewer has not read them -- but the films have largely been dramatic black holes and exercises in shoddy acting and scriptwriting, favoring disrobed leads and disengaged narratives rather than sturdy storytelling with salacious sex thrown in for good measure. Fifty Shades Freed, the final installment in the trilogy, sees the power couple take a couple of big steps in their relationship, though not without taking a few back and taking everything off on several occasions.

Tub kiss!

Christian and Anastasia are tying the knot! After years of rough sex and struggle, the two marry in a beautiful ceremony, Anastasia wearing a flowing white gown, Christian a traditional tuxedo, followed by a romantic, and sexy, Parisian honeymoon. Meanwhile, back in the States, so much for Grey Enterprises security. A man, Anastasia’s former employer, Jack (Eric Johnson), enters the building with a bag containing a disguise and an explosive device. He steals critical digital files and sets fire to the room to cover his tracks. When the couple is prematurely recalled from European bliss to deal with the situation, Anastasia struggles with the perks and privileges of being Mrs. Grey. That includes 24/7 security and servants at her beck and call. Her new husband also chastises her for using her maiden name at work, and his controlling persona becomes more dominant than he his in the playroom. But at the same time, she learns to take command of any given situation as Mrs. Grey, putting female charmers in their place and asserting her desires as a wife. But with Jack lurking and a new wrinkle in the relationship threatening to pull them apart, it will take all the love, and maybe a few pairs of handcuffs, to keep Ana and Christian together in wedded bliss.

The Fifty Shades films can't really be considered to be wholly insufferable, but they're certainly not known for accomplishing more than stripping a couple of pretty people down to their birthday suits. Fifty Shades Freed follows suit. The plot is predictable, the twists are stock, and the drama is vacuous. Most of the narrative is merely a propellant for sex -- honeymoon sex, make-up sex, just-because sex -- and beyond finding new ways to be kinky, like the couple having ice cream sex, it's nothing that the other films's haven't already explored, and in some intimate detail to be sure. In Freed, there's a boogeyman who vowed revenge in the previous film and some personal struggles between the newlywed couple. Apparently they never discussed things like Christian's perceived need for his wife to be followed by security or his want that she hand off her housework to hired help. Whatever the case may be, nearly everything in the movie is a flimsy excuse to forward what little plot it builds and offer ample opportunity for sexual encounters between, now, husband and wife.

As it was in the previous films, acting is stiff and stilted, but so too is the script, so there's ample opportunity to play the blame game along both ends of the spectrum. Dornan and Johnson don't lack spark in the bedroom, at least, and even if the performances are otherwise not great, there is some conviction behind them. They appear to deal with the various issues that arise from some emotional center, which helps to elevate otherwise clumsy and cut-rate material a bit higher than it otherwise should. The film does end on something of a sweet-and-sincere note; it's too bad the rest of the movie, and the series, is fairly sour.

Fifty Shades Freed 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Fifty Sahdes Freed was reportedly photographed at a resolution of 2.8K and finished at 2K. This upscaled 4K release builds on the Blu-ray's exemplary image, offering a solid upgrade in overall clarity, sharpness, and color. It makes for a good example of the exchange rate, so to speak, from one format to the other. Even without "true" 4K resolution, the boost in essential detailing is obvious. Skin and clothing textures are, of course, prominent highlights throughout the film, if only because they're generally front-and-center, but environmental details, too, impress with improved robustness. Not only are textures a bit more refined, the sense of brilliant clarity over the Blu-ray is really quite remarkable. The image is crystal-clear; it's very obviously digital, lacking that desirable film texture, but image flatness is never an issue, even if it is somewhat glossy (and beautifully so) in places. The 10-bit HDR colors sparkle. The film's sun-drenched exteriors offer remarkable depth and dazzle, with particular praise for the opening honeymoon stretch that is of reference quality for the format. Colors are very firm, very cheerful, and somehow find greater balance, brilliance, and nuanced accuracy over a Blu-ray that is at the top of the SDR color spectrum. Black levels remain superb, whites are blinding, and flesh tones are wonderful, finding just a shade more warmth and a hint more vitality on the UHD. Universal has done a great job with one and if anything else, the movie is a joy to look at on UHD.

Fifty Shades Freed 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Fifty Shades Freed features a DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. Music is lively. Notes are energetic and spacious, vocals are crystal-clear, and the low end kicks in for support. Environmental fill effects are realistically engaging, whether street-level city din, airport ambience, or background music and chatter at a restaurant. Both of the latter come together nicely in a club scene in chapter 13, where the energetic music melts into the background with the location din for a key dialogue moment and kicks back up front-and-center for a dance scene moments later. The track produces some quality depth to sports car engine revs in a few scenes (brought to you by Audi). Overhead channels are not used discretely but add a little extra space for the music and effects to breathe. Dialogue is presented without flaw from a natural front-center home.

Fifty Shades Freed 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Fifty Shades Freed, rarity here, contains all of the supplements from the Blu-ray on the UHD disc. The 1080p Blu-ray and a movies anywhere digital copy code are included with purchase. The UHD also contains both cuts of the film: Theatrical (1:45:18) and Unrated (1:50:18).

• Deleted Scene: Hickey and Apology (2160p, SDR, 1:08).
• The Final Climax (2160p, SDR, 32:39 total runtime): A nine-part feature that explores making the film's various scenes and exposing a few key elements and secrets. Included are The Wedding, The Honeymoon, Mr. and Mrs. Grey, Ana Takes Charge, Ana & Mr. Hyde, Aspen in Whistler, Ana's Revelation, Resolution, and The Meaning of 'Freed.'
• Christian & Ana by Jamie & Dakota (2160p, SDR, 6:02): The actors discuss the series' lead characters.
• A Conversation with E L James and Eric Johnson (2160p, SDR, 8:52): The author of the Fifty Shades series and the actor who plays Jack Hyde discuss the series prior to this film's premiere.
• Music Videos (2160p, SDR): "For You (Fifty Shades Freed)" by Liam Payne & Rita Ora (4:15), "Capital Letters" by Hailee Steinfeld X Bloodpop (3:51), and "Heaven" by Julia Michaels (3:26).

Fifty Shades Freed 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Fifty Shades Freed is hostage to bland plot lines and tired themes. The film never breaks from cruise control, not in its story, not in its sex, not in its character advancement. Performances are rather poor but are fairly spirited and comfortable, at least. Universal's UHD dazzles with a picture that's a nice boost over a brilliant Blu-ray. Audio is strong and the supplements are fine. 4K/HDR-capable fans will definitely want to choose this version over the standard Blu-ray. The upgrade is well worth the added cost.