Rating summary
| Movie |  | 2.5 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio | | 4.5 |
| Extras |  | 1.0 |
| Overall |  | 3.0 |
The Purge 4K Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 16, 2017
Universal has released all three films in the 'Purge' franchise to UHD in a single boxed set, currently the only way to own the films on the 4K
format. Please click here for more on that set.
For a full film review, please click
here.
The Purge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.
The Purge was digitally photographed at a resolution of 2.8K and finished at 2K. Universal's 4K upscale certainly doesn't reach format
peak but it does offer a solid enough boost over the 1080p Blu-ray. This 2160p/HDR-enhanced presentation delivers a modest uptick in detail. Skin
textures are more revealing, whether considering depth of pores, clarity of moles, visibility of blood vessels under the skin, or complexity of hair.
There's a tangible
increase to other
qualities, too, including the burned robot "Timmy" and its charred plastic and metallic components, finely detailed clothes, and many of the finely
appointed elements both inside the house and around the neighborhood. The HDR-enahnced colors deliver fuller skin tones, nicely saturated objects
around the house, and a modest sense of increased depth and clarity, though with the movie's dominant lower-light structure there's not much
opportunity for significant punch. Some barely imperceptible banding creeps across some backgrounds. Black levels occasionally push a little to the
very dark blue spectrum, and some nighttime outdoor shots hang on to some noise, but in other scenes blacks maintain
quality depth and a general absence of noise. Flesh tones appear accurate within any given lighting context.
The Purge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The Purge features a new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack, an upgrade over the standard Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless
presentation. The track delivers many intensive moments with startling efficiency, clarity, and large-area saturation. Big musical notes swell with
complex detailing and a quality low end depth. The lockdown process in which large metallic shutters lower to the ground to secure any vulnerable
areas is particularly stout. The bulky security measures lower top to bottom with an intensive, steady heft, finished off by a striking and startling low
end thud. The alarm
signaling the beginning of Purge Night blares with haunting intensity off to the side. Gunfire presents with authoritative command and caliber
appropriate depth; James' revolver offers a much more substantive bang, for example, compared to others. Various sounds of the intruders attempting
to enter the house deliver striking, full stage intensity as bangs, crashes, and other details puncture the stage, coming in with seamless, immersive
positioning and often a noticeable overhead component mixed in. Dialogue is clear and well defined with natural front-center positioning.
The Purge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
The UHD disc contains no supplements. The lone extra, a 9-minute featurette, may be found on the bundled Blu-ray.
The Purge 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
The Purge offers a chilling look at a possible violent future where, for one night, murder and mayhem are completely legal (though certain
politicians, of course, have voted themselves immune). The film ultimately boils down to a home invasion story, but the ancillary support pieces at least
offer something to think about. Universal's UHD release delivers a modest upgrade in video, a wonderful DTS:X soundtrack, and no new extras.
Recommended to newcomers to the film.
