King Kong 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

King Kong 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 13, 2017

Universal has released 2005's 'King Kong' to the UHD format, offering a 2160p/HDR-enhanced image in addition to a new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. The UHD contains no new bonus features, but Universal has included the two Blu-ray discs that comprised the February 2017 Ultimate Edition release, leaving only the new video and audio this package's highlights. Read on for more information.

For a full film review, please click here (for what it's worth, I loved the film much more than Ben; the score above reflects my own).

King Kong 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.

King Kong's UHD release offers a substantial upgrade over the previously released VC-1 encoded Blu-ray, even as the UHD is not perfect and has likely been sourced from a 2K digital intermediate. The movie occasionally struggles to maintain an organic, filmic, natural look, partly due, it seems, to various visual effects shots and inserts that show their inherent weakness on the format. There's a certain artificiality to parts of the movie, particularly around those digital backgrounds. Closer, real textures sometimes suffer, too, but to a much lesser degree, with a sense of flatness and smoothness that often gives way to a much sharper presentation. The increase in sharpness and clarity over the Blu-ray is remarkable. There's a richness to complexity that's never apparent on the Blu-ray. Every element -- skin, period clothes, physical props -- reveal a high level of enhanced clarity beyond the 1080p image. It's a remarkable boost, for the most part, particularly once one gets beyond that artificiality that hangs over various scenes. The level of increase in clarity is often breathtaking. HDR color improvements are obvious as well. Greater color distinction and vividness are obvious from the get-go. Shading and saturation are much more fluid, highlights are more precise, and transitional nuance is greatly improved, particularly in many of the first act's more amber-influenced scenes. Jungle greens are not quite so brilliant but they are more lively and more richly saturated. Backs -- Kong fur or shadow detail on some of the darker terrain in the movie -- are much more firm and stable. Flesh tones are fuller and much better defined. this is a substantial improvement over the Blu-ray. Note that the review score for the Blu-ray dates back many years and is from a different reviewer. A lower numerical score for the UHD is not an error but rather an unavoidable limitation of the scoring system.

King Kong 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The film's previous DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack was well-received at the time it was reviewed and holds up very well today. The DTS:X Master Audio track isn't a revelation over it but the improvements and refinements are evident and the increased spacing is a major boost. Certainly the film's many thunderous effects, those bass-heavy, furniture-rumbling moments are maintained here with an added benefit of improved spacing along three axes. What was thunderous then remains thunderous now, but with an increased sense of fullness and natural vitality. But it's perhaps the jungle atmospherics where the track finds its calling. The sense of wide-open place is greatly expanded here with all of the minor, but mood-critical, little insect, flowing water, blowing foliage, and scampering creature details creating a more believably rich and expansive atmosphere. Listeners are pulled into the world alongside the party, immersed in the world in a way that is perhaps even more crucial to the film than the improved clarity the UHD video offers. Indeed, both action and environmental elements feature greatly improved coverage and saturation, more seamless movement and more precise location specific placement. With dialogue remaining firm and well prioritized, this is nothing short of an outstanding track from Universal.

King Kong 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of King Kong contains two cuts of the film: a Theatrical Version (3:07:16) and an Extended Version (3:20:08). The UHD disc includes the previously released filmmaker commentary track on the extended version only. All additional bonus materials may be found on the two included Blu-rays, which are identical to the previous Ultimate Edition release. No new content is available. A UV/iTunes digital copy voucher is included with purchase. For more on the expansive supplements included, please click here.

King Kong 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

King Kong's UHD occasionally struggles to find greatness but nevertheless stands as a substantial improvement over the Blu-ray. Much stronger detail and a more convincing, more evenly saturated color palette are the strengths. The new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack is fantastic, and the volume of bonus content on the included Blu-ray discs is second to none. Very highly recommended.