Hellboy II: The Golden Army 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Hellboy II: The Golden Army 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has released the 2008 Guillermo del Toro sequel film 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army' to the UHD format. This new disc includes 2160p/HDR-enhanced video and a new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. The bundled Blu-ray is identical to that which released in 2008. Unfortunately, it is missing key extras due to the absence of the bonus DVD.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army 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.

It's not always the case these days where decade-plus-old transfers that rated very highly back then still hold up today and hold strong against new, shiny UHD releases, but that's certainly the case with Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Universal's 2008 1080p offering -- which is conveniently included with the UHD disc -- remains a fairly impressive bit of Blu-ray visual excellence, revealing terrifically tight textures and fine color reproduction. The UHD isn't that a leaps-and-bounds improvement, at least not broadly. Universal's 2160p/HDR presentation certainly betters the video in both categories, but the textural increases are modest and while the color improvements are a bit more readily evident they certainly don't fundamentally change the way the movie looks, which is exactly how one should want HDR to operate.

Getting the resolution increase and resultant upgrades out of the way first: there's not a massive increase in raw detail and clarity to be found. The picture was shot on film but finished at 2K, unsurprising given the effects-heavy nature. But at the same time, there are a number of wondrously complex practical costumes, set pieces, and makeup work that the UHD reveals with modestly, but critically, more definition and clarity than the Blu-ray. Subtle elements shine and major focal points enjoy a slight boost to basic clarity. Some of the character work is striking on the UHD, showcasing an amazing array of perfectly revealed lines, seams, scales, whatever the case may be; yet none of it offers eye-opening improvements over the 1080p transfer. Sharpness is slightly improved and grain management is likewise more sound on the UHD, though both UHD and Blu-ray images reveal a wonderful filmic texturing that is much of the reason why the old Blu-ray still holds up so very well. Obviously advantage to the the UHD in this category for the greater textural finesse, intimacy, clarity, and encode efficiency. It's a smaller edge, but an edge nonetheless.

The HDR color application makes a bigger difference. It's been carefully applied so as to remain true to the film's color aesthetics, rendering an already dark and warm image a bit more so but to the benefit of greater tonal stabilization, color detail, and color depth. HDR handles blacks quite well, offering a noticeably increased feel for dark area precision and depth without absorbing details, complimenting rather than compromising the film's many low light scenes. The picture is darkened a bit overall, but contrast is improved across the board, offering firmer, more stable colors even in low light. Abe's scaly blue skin, for example, stands as one of the great HDR beneficiaries in the transfer, enjoying more substantial color depth and detail, tightening the tone and allowing the color to pop against most any background. Hellboy's red skin color is likewise more pronounced, again a bit darker but firmer and seemingly more accurate to the character and the movie's overall tonal approach. General human skin tones are improved in similar ways. HDR allows the film's color palette to explore its predominantly darker and warmer constructs with improved efficiency, more subtle nuance, and more complete spectrum range.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The DTS:X track is certainly impressive and while not a fundamental transformation compared to the previously issued 5.1 lossless track, it is a more finessed and expansive experience by configuration and by delivery alike. It's very large and spatially aware, highly detailed, and takes full advantage of every speaker at its disposal. A training session to begin chapter two offers a substantial full stage engagement, which includes detailed overhead components that are both discrete and complimentary. A monstrous growl a few moments later saturates the stage with an impressive depth and immersion. City din, dialogue reverb at an auction, falling rain, booming thunder...the following sequence has much to offer, particularly when the auction is attacked and the symphony of chaos offers a wonderfully detailed and full range explosion. The track is amazingly active through every action scene, and most every non-action scene, too. The track finds a harmonious balance between its more substantial outputs and its more subtle details. Nothing is overpowered and nothing is wanting for more power. Total clarity is excellent, surrounds and overheads are utilized in perfectly balanced harmony with the fronts, and low end extension is excellent, right on the money in terms of depth and detail. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized with a firm front-center positioning.

Hellboy II: The Golden Army 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Hellboy II: The Golden Army's UHD disc includes a pair of audio commentary tracks recorded for the film's original home theater release. The bundled Blu-ray is identical to that which released in 2008, which includes a number of extras, including those commentary tracks. Unfortunately, Universal has not included a DVD disc that released with the 2008 Blu-ray that included several additional features, including a 155-minute making-of. Fans will have to hang on to that older release for a complete Hellboy II supplemental experience. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

UHD:

• Audio Commentary: Director Guillermo del Toro.
• Audio Commentary: Cast Members Jeffrey Tambor, Selma Blair & Luke Goss.

• U-Control
  
  
  • Scene Explorer: Schufften Goggle View
  • Director's Notebook
  • Set Visits
  • Concept Art Gallery
• Audio Commentary: Director Guillermo del Toro.
• Audio Commentary: Cast Members Jeffrey Tambor, Selma Blair & Luke Goss.
• Troll Market Tour with Guillermo del Toro
• Production Workshop
• Deleted Scenes
• Zinco Epilogue Animated Comic
• Comic Book Builder
• Gallery

Hellboy II: The Golden Army 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Hellboy II: The Golden Army's UHD is excellent but it's not a drastic improvement over the Blu-ray, which even at 11 years old is still quite the looker (and it sounds great, too). If one is looking for an explosive increase to both texture and color over a very strong Blu-ray, this UHD does not deliver. If one is looking for a perfectly wonderful transfer that produces modest improvements on the macro level but critical micro adjustments that yield a wonderfully filmic, tight, and true image, then the transfer will satisfy. Same goes for the audio. Universal has brought over the old 2008 Blu-ray to carry the extras, but the studio has dropped a DVD that contained several key supplements. Recommended, but fans will want to hold on to the old Blu-ray for those missing extras.