Resident Evil: Extinction 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Resident Evil: Extinction 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony has released Director Russell Mulcahy's video game adaptation film 'Resident Evil: Extinction' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. The UHD contains a featurette previously unreleased to Blu-ray and new trailers while the bundled Blu-ray, identical to that which Sony released nearly 13 years ago, includes the stable of legacy supplements. See below for a review of new content. The UHD is currently only available as part of a 'Resident Evil' franchise collection box set.

Resident Evil: Extinction 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

So far Sony has not disappointed with its Resident Evil UHD releases. Extinction is just about as good as its predecessors, holding fast to a tight, natural grain structure, offering improved clarity over its Blu-ray counterpart and making good use of the HDR color spectrum even within the film's color timing parameters. As was the case with the first two films there's a depressed color palette at work here but one that favors a brighter, earthier barrage of beiges and yellows rather than gray and blue and black, the primary output found in Resident Evil and Apocalypse. Some scenes retain that older aesthetic, but largely it's the under the sun, well baked tones that dominate. HDR allows for far greater color depth and natural presentation. The Blu-ray is comparatively flat and overly bright whereas this is more thoroughly saturated, boasting superior nuance and accuracy both in intimate gradations and the largest splashy colors, respectively. There are a number of examples of opportunity for color expansion, the most so far in the series. Blue skies, red blood, and intense orange and yellow flames stand apart as some of the more extreme examples of the most interesting color depth available. Additionally, the opening sequence is quite the revelation. The improvement to white level balance, luminance, and accuracy is striking. The Blu-ray appears flat, washed out, and lacking anything close to the HDR's crispness and color fidelity.

It's also a wonderful example of the resolution's substantial uptick in visual finesse and sharpness. The picture excels at its filmic base, like the first two retaining and displaying a fine grain structure with impressive ease and efficiency. Grain is organic and naturally occurring, light but obvious, a welcome companion that boosts the image's visual credentials by quite a substantial margin. It's very cinematic and the resolution's ability to reveal extremely fine skin, clothing, and world details -- with sharpness far exceeding the Blu-ray -- delight with every opportunity. Like the other films, this one is not a visual powerhouse. It might not blow anyone away but it appears to be incredibly faithful and quite stout in its own right. It's the film as it was seemingly meant to be seen. Add perfect compression and very limited print blemishes (there are two or three speckles at the most, if that) and Extinction joins the ranks of Resident Evil UHD excellence.

Resident Evil: Extinction 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Extinction's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is nowhere near so insane (in the best way possible) as its predecessor's, but that does not make this any less of a track. It's fluid and highly energetic, featuring a steady, practically endless barrage of listening excellence, whether considering action, music, or environmental effects. The latter is perhaps amongst the most interesting elements in the film's sound design. It's the first in the series with real opportunity to stretch its legs, to offer ample natural atmosphere, notably outdoors where winds and insects and, sometimes, crackling fires harmoniously converge to draw the listener into the barren environment. Of course action elements drive the track, bringing with them hefty depth and fluid special awareness. A flamethrower in chapter eight sprays its heat around the listener with identifiable movements, from point of origin on through its sweeps around the listening area. Prodigious depth accompanies, and the scene is sure to push any sound system to its extreme limits. Action scenes of all types only reinforce the aural excellence, with gunshots and other sounds of action chaos presenting with a perfect marriage of aggression and finesse. Music plays with organic detail, depth, and spacing. Dialogue is clear, well prioritized, and center positioned. Like the first two films, this one's a delight to experience.

Resident Evil: Extinction 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Resident Evil: Extinction's UHD disc contains two new extras, which are outlined below. The bundled Blu-ray includes the extras also outlined below. Please click here for full coverage.

UHD:

• NEW! Resident Road Map: Reflections on the Future of the Series (1080p, 6:59): Anderson discusses his love for the game franchise and how that helped him make the first three films in the franchise. He also covers the process of building a sequel, constructing Alice's character and Jovovich's performance, story plots and themes, and more.
• NEW! Trailers (1080p): Included are Teaser Trailer (1:45) and Theatrical Trailer (2:32).

• Audio Commentary: Director Russell Mulcahy, Writer/Producer Paul Anderson, and Producer Jeremy Bolt.
• Beyond Raccoon City: Unearthing Resident Evil Extinction
• Deleted Scenes
• Resident Evil: Degeneration
• Under the Umbrella: Picture-in-Picture Experience

Resident Evil: Extinction 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Extinction is a fun ride and a thoroughly enjoyable UHD. It looks terrific -- finessed HDR application, fine grain, and razor-sharp details -- and sounds quite good, too, exploring its world with full-throttle intensity and subtle ambience alike. The carryover extras are fine and there's a new featurette on the UHD as well. Very highly recommended.