The Huntsman: Winter's War 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

The Huntsman: Winter's War 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal is releasing 'The Huntsman: Winter's War' to 4K UHD day-and-date with its standard 1080p counterpart. Also releasing is a UHD version of 'Snow White and the Huntsman'.

The Huntsman: Winter's War 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.

Unlike Snow White and the Huntsman, which was shot on film, The Huntsman: Winter's War was photographed digitally and, according to its IMDB page, finished at 2K. This is, then, presumably, an upscale from that master. Regardless of any technical specifications, the image is very strong across the board. Some of the most noticeable changes, and improvements, come during darker scenes. While the 1080p image exhibits some very dark shadows and borders on crush a few times, such as a scene between the Huntsman and the dwarves in a tavern around the 42:30 mark, the UHD is noticeably lighter on its feet, maintaining solid shadow depth while revealing more visible content in the darker regions. Details stand much firmer in the same scene, with much better defined attire and particularly facial details, which tend to look a bit smooth on Blu-ray but find much more natural definition in UHD. There's a good close-up of The Huntsman at the 28:30 mark as he prepares to fire an arrow. The UHD shows solid improvement in all areas. The HDR color palette is a bit darker, firming up the gray and blue and black attire while giving the skin a more natural look that, while fine on 1080p, does reveal a pastiness about it. Skin texturing in the close-up is much more fine and revealing, while the Blu-ray appears a bit smoother and less capable of finding the very finest details. The same can be said of his clothing, particularly what's in focus around his left shoulder area. Viewers will find like results in another, similar close-up from earlier in the film, this one of a young Sara around the 14:20 mark. Indeed, throughout the entire picture, the UHD supports the basic idea that color depth is improved, a bit firmer in spots and more revealing in darker corners, but not betraying the essence of the movie. Details are much finer. Image clarity remains stellar on both, and the digital source is clean as a whistle. This is a very nice step up, even from what is, by 1080p standards, a top-shelf presentation.

The Huntsman: Winter's War 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Huntsman: Winter's War features a DTS:X soundtrack. The same configuration is offered on the 1080p Blu-ray, and there appears to be no discernible difference, at least based on the ear test. This review is based on a 7.1.4 setup, adding four "overhead" channels to the mix in addition to the more traditional seven speaker configuration, plus subwoofer. While there's not an abundance of discrete top-side details, the track does effortlessly envelop the listener on all sides, and above as well. Stage saturation is practically flawless. Musical spread is effortless and very wide. There's not a gap in the track as music seamlessly wraps around the listener, and in an easily immersive manner at that. It's a complete 360-degree experience, enhanced by the track's easy delivery and expert clarity. Woodland ambience is superb. Much like the music, there's a seamless sense of place and stage immersion. Listeners will feel transported to the film's locations, and that overhead presence, again while not by any means dominant or discrete, helps to create a fuller, healthier, more realistic sonic sensation. Falling rain and rolling thunder, heard about 45 minutes into the movie, offers one of the more noticeable top layer sensations in the track. Action effects are terrific, too. Arrows whoosh through the stage with a rush of air. Sword clanks are true, playing with a tangible, lifelike clank and accuracy. Deep, punishing bass supports several key moments, including ice that cracks and breaks throughout the film. Dialogue delivery is firm and focused in the center. Natural and enveloping reverberation is a highlight in locations that allow for it, particularly in the queen's chambers near film's end. The top channels only add to that sense of real spacing.

The Huntsman: Winter's War 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of The Huntsman: Winter's War contains all of its bonus content on the included 1080p disc, though the audio commentary track with Cedric Nicolas-Troyan is available on both. This UHD release features two cuts of the film in 4K: the theatrical cut (1:53:57) and the extended version (2:00:10). A voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy code is also included with purchase. Please click through the appropriate link above for more on the supplemental content.

The Huntsman: Winter's War 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Huntsman: Winter's War makes for a fine UHD title. Unlike some other UHD releases that are day-and-date with the standard Blu-ray, both the 1080p Blu-ray and the UHD share a DTS:X track rather than reserve it as a premium to the UHD. The 4K video is splendid, marking an honest uptick in quality over the 1080p Blu-ray. Colors are firmer and better saturated. Shadow detail is improved. Textural nuances are heightened. That's not to say that the 1080p version comes up short in any way, but this is a very good comparative release that shows how UHD, even when not sourced from a true 4K master, can improve upon some of the best material the old standard has to offer. Recommended.