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.
