6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan SkarsgårdAdventure | 100% |
Action | 99% |
Sci-Fi | 78% |
Comic book | 71% |
Fantasy | 66% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
German: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Italian: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Japanese: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 3.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Disney has released the 2011 Marvel Cinematic Universe film 'Thor' to UHD with new 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio, both of which are somewhat troubled. Supplements carry over from the 2011 Blu-ray. See below for more detailed reviews.
There is certainly a solid improvement here over the previous Blu-ray. Textural finesse is amplified courtesy of the UHD's superior resolution. Finer
facial textures are evident in every close-up while costumes and locations across both Asgard and Earth enjoy the fruits of sharper definition and
overall improved clarity. However, it certainly betrays the signs of noise reduction, perhaps not so obviously applied as seen on Iron Man and Iron Man 2, but enough to notice the absence of
organic
grain, which appears frozen in place during many of the New Mexico daytime scenes and very notably so when Agent Coulson interrogates Thor in
chapter nine (and during Loki's appearance in the room thereafter). The grain against the steely cold background literally shifts in clumps around actor
heads.
The HDR color spectrum is again a source of notable and welcome improvement. The picture appears very firm and finds a more natural, deeper, more
complimentary and rewarding color tone and temperature compared to the Blu-ray, which looks flat and uninspired in comparison. HDR does not add
unwarranted vibrancy to the proceedings, but it does find a far greater color solidification and feel for tonal accuracy. Thor's Asgard outfit presents with
a firmer red on the cape and a more accurate and more dense gray armor. Hues on Earth are pleasing, particularly in brightly lit New Mexico exteriors,
with the storefronts and their assorted colors far better defined and natural compared to the Blu-ray (as well as fiery explosions through town in
chapter 12). Skin tones are impressive and black levels are fairly good even through many of the challenging nighttime scenes throughout the film.
This was another from this 8/13/19 wave that proved difficult to score. At any given time one could argue for a score between 3.0-4.0, so cut the
difference to reach the 3.5 final scoring.
This is, unfortunately, another relatively flat Atmos soundtrack from Disney. The opening sequence, which sees Jane and her team chasing after an astral phenomena and finding Thor, struggles to come up with anything resembling valiant depth. The movie's would-be first sonic assault is rather tame, and the Frost Giant intro is a little more dynamic but hardly intense. The trip through the Bifröst Bridge to Jotunheim finds a modicum of low end support amidst all of the engaged surround details, and the subsequent battle is likewise sufficiently deep, making for a passable accompaniment for the detailed and wide musical berth. Still, it's clear the presentation lacks at the bottom. The same can be said of the Destroyer attack in chapter 12; low end response is wanting, but the track does engage with satisfactory stage stretch to at least partially pull the listener into the mayhem. Rain during Thor's assault on the compound S.H.I.E.L.D. has constructed around Mjolnir falls with fairly impressive surround engagement and a slight feel for overhead support. Musical clarity is good and positioning and balance around the stage are agreeable. Dialogue is clear and detailed from a natural front-center position.
The included Blu-ray contains the same supplemental package found on the original Paramount disc. The UHD disc houses no extras. See below for a
list of what's included and please click here for full coverage. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included
with purchase.
Different movie, another Marvel franchise, shared universe, same story. Disney has released Thor to UHD with dumbed-down video and audio, both of which are passable (even good in places) but hardly the reference presentation that might have been. Difficult to recommend.
2013
2008
Cinematic Universe Edition
2012
Cinematic Universe Edition
2015
Cinematic Universe Edition
2017
Cinematic Universe Edition
2016
Cinematic Universe Edition
2014
2018
2019
2008
2013
2013
2019
The Rogue Cut
2014
2017
2010
2009
plus Theatrical Cut on standard Blu-ray
2016
2005
2012