The Da Vinci Code 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Da Vinci Code 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 17, 2016

Sony has released 'The Da Vinci Code' to UHD to celebrate the film's 10th anniversary and tie-in with the upcoming release of 'Inferno.' It's also been paired with the film's 1080p Blu-ray reissue, a two-disc set which is also included with this UHD disc. This new UHD release features new 4K video, Atmos audio, and a blend of new and old supplemental content, most of which is the latter. Note that this release does not include the extended version, either on UHD or Blu-ray, which was all that was previously available on Blu-ray; only the film's shorter theatrical cut is included. Unfortunately, those who prefer the film's longer presentation and wish to view it under the newly remastered video presentation and Atmos audio are out of luck.

On the hunt.

The film's theatrical cut runs about 26 minutes shorter than its monster extended version. In this format, the film plays with an improved cadence and more refined storytelling chops, still dragging, at points, but finding a firmer footing as it explores Dan Brown's controversial world of would-be revisionist history. The film is well done, technically and stylistically. Performances are a bit unintentionally hammy and the story itself plays out as an all-too-serious sort of filmed beast version of some wall-of-text, conspiracy-laden chain E-mail. It has its moments of interest and intrigue, but between some of the more absurd plot lines, flat characters, and overextended runtime (even in its theatrical form), even Ron Howard's rather fluid and complimentary filmmaking approach isn't enough to save the movie.

For a more in-depth film review (extended cut; but it by-and-large still applies), please click here.

The Da Vinci Code 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.

The Da Vinci Code's 4K remaster gives the movie a very attractive facelift. Sourced from the 4K digital intermediate, this is one of the select few releases in the early going of UHD's lifespan not to be upscaled to 4K from, usually, a 2K DI. The results are very impressive, generally. The image is beautifully filmic, with an attractively fine grain structure appearing over the film for the duration. Details are very firm and natural, a bit more revealing and finely intimate than on the 1080p Blu-ray. Skin textures are particularly more stout, with pores and facial hair proving a couple of the big winners, particularly in close-up but also at medium range. The movie is lightly soft by nature, and while it remains so in 4K, the sense of definition and attention to detail accentuate the cinematography and greatly enhance the movie's look, flow, and feel. The movie's color scheme is more reserved than many, favoring shadowy backgrounds contrasted with brighter foreground lighting. Black levels aren't as finessed here as they are on the Blu-ray, seeming to push a bit more bright and attract a bit more spiky grain. Nevertheless, blacks at least don't push to crush in the darkest corners and the peltate, particularly reds, holds up nicely. The HDR color enhancement is more an aid for fuller flesh tones and revealing finer intricacies than it is reworking the movie's inherent look and feel. No discernible print wear is evident, neither are artifacts in any quantity to merit concern. This is a very good UHD picture presentation from Sony, and it's nice to see native 4K content in the deluge of 2K upscale releases.

The Da Vinci Code 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Da Vinci Code's UHD debut brings with it a very well done and refined Atmos soundtrack (TrueHD 7.1 compatible) that reflects and enhances all of the fabulous qualities of the 1080p release's lesser-speced, but not substantially less impressive, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The Atmos' best attribute is its great sense of coverage and its wider, more open, and inviting stage. Some of the track's best moments come not in direct, assault-style blasts of sonic mayhem but critically robust support elements. Langdon's fear of enclosed spaces is revealed early on when he's forced into an elevator. All of the enhanced sounds he hears, sounds that convey his sense of dread, are impressively presented. Very deep rattles, heavy thuds, and the sense of inclusive terror throughout the ride is remarkably positioned and executed, all the while preserving and prioritizing critical dialogue inside between Langdon and Fache. Likewise, various scenes that feature dialogue reverberation in expansive settings, such as a lecture hall, feel more revealing and naturally pronounced, with the top layer adding a heathy bit of nuanced support that more effectively places the listener in the middle of the room. The track handles everything that comes its way with expert precision, including some gunfire, police sirens, and more basic, environmental-defining ambience. General dialogue is clear and well prioritized with firm center placement.

The Da Vinci Code 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Sony's UHD release of The Da Vinci Code contains most of its core supplements on the included Blu-ray disc labeled "Disc 2," while "Disc 3" contains the feature on Blu-ray and a few additional extras, including new content. The UHD contains a collection of "moments" (2160p, HDR, Atmos) that are, essentially, categorized highlight reels from the movie. Included are Code Breaking (8:08), Robert Langdon (7:53), Sophie Neveu (10:12), and Sir Leigh Teabing (11:00). Also included is the "Cast & Crew" tab that features still photos of key cast and crew. A UV digital copy voucher is included. Below is a breakdown of what's on each Blu-ray disc. New material is marked as such, and reviewed. For reviews of previously released material, please click here.

Disc Two (Legacy Supplements):

• First Day on the Set with Ron Howard
• A Discussion with Dan Brown
• A Portrait of Langdon
• Who Is Sophie Neveu?
• Unusual Suspects
• Magical Places
• Close-Up on Mona Lisa
• The Filmmakers' Journey Part One
• The Filmmakers' Journey Part Two
• The Codes of The Da Vinci Code
• The Music of The Da Vinci Code
• Book to Screen
• The Da Vinci Props
• The Da Vinci Sets
• Re-Creating Works of Art
• The Visual Effects World of The Da Vinci Code
• Scoring The Da Vinci Code

Feature Disc Plus Supplements:

• Audio Commentary
• NEW! Launching a Legacy with A First Look at Inferno (1080p, 4:26): Cast and crew chat up the upcoming movie, covering core qualities including characterization, plot, translating Dan Brown's novels to the screen, how the stories reflect on the world, and story details from the new film. Clips from all three films are included. Note that the back of the box advertises this supplement (labeled as "A First Look at Inferno") as well as "A Look Back with Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, Dan Brown and Brian Grazer." That latter supplement doesn't appear to actually exist on its own, so it seems like Sony made it sound like two extras when it is, in reality, just this one (Hanks, Howard, Brown, and Grazer all appear in this extra). The packaging listing definitely demarcates them with a "-" symbol. Pretty shady if that's the case.
• (Sort Of) NEW! Extended Cut Scenes (1080p, 35:27): While audiences cannot watch the extended cut in full, the trimmed scenes are at least here to peruse separate of the picture proper. Included are How Well Did You Know the Curator, Containment, In the Air, The Pentacle, In the Bathroom, They Didn't Send Her, He Reached Out to You, The Sacred Feminine, I Will Destroy the Painting, The Getaway, Silas Flashback, You Let Them Get Away, Patrol, Money, Prayer, Welcome Bishop, Petty Cash, The Teacher, Quite a Performance, Silas Sins Flashback, I Chastise My Body, You Don't Believe in God, Sophie Was Trained, At the Hospital, Hot Tamale, Looking Through the File, He's Fantastic with Sauces, The Holy Grail, Mortal Man, Opus Dei, They Never Wanted You, Tell Me Next Time, To London, Temple Church, Glove Box, Holy Land, Listening Post, He Forgot Everything, Da Vinci, She Was Here, His Last Breath, and Through the Streets.
• NEW! Teaser Trailer (1080p, 2:05).
• NEW! Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:20).

The Da Vinci Code 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Sony's UHD release of The Da Vinci Code offers a complete experience for those only interested in the film's theatrical cut. Fans of Director Ron Howard's lengthier version will have to stick with a good, but aging, Blu-ray from 2009. The UHD is very good, featuring excellent 4K-sourced 2160p video, an impressive Atmos soundtrack, and a nice assortment of mostly legacy extras. Recommended.