Underworld: Evolution 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Underworld: Evolution 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony has released the 2006 Action/Horror sequel film 'Underworld: Evolution' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. The disc replaces the aged (but still relatively good) MPEG-2 disc released at the Blu-ray format's infancy in 2006. The new presentation is excellent. See below for reviews of new content. Note that at time of writing this disc is only available as part of the five-film 'Underworld' UHD collection boxed set.

Underworld: Evolution 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

This is, unsurprisingly, a very positive improvement over the MPEG-2 encoded Blu-ray that Sony released in 2006 (and is conveniently included in this set to house supplements and make a comparison). The UHD shows its improvements from the opening scrolling text, offering more impressively deep and vibrant red text along a firmer, deeper, inkier, and more stable blacks. The difference is not quite so stark as one might expect with a 15-year gap between the releases and the fairly sizeable boost to specs, but it's an improvement nevertheless. Of course, the real value shows as the movie proper gets underway.

The film is, like all of its Underworld brethren, practically black and blue and the 2160p/HDR image shows great improvement to those core tones, helping to bring greater contrast between them and additional nuance in the various shading grades. Skin tones are of a more intense shading now, blue eyes dazzle with newfound pop, and blacks are appreciably deeper and inkier without crushing out important fine detailing on costumes and throughout backgrounds. The whites are amongst the chief beneficiaries; the new stark contrast between shades, the add to intensity and push away from the comparatively flat and creamy Blu-ray, leads to a delightful sum total experience that makes the HDR grading alone well worth the price of admission, but the textural gains are of vital importance as well.

Indeed, the picture is flatteringly filmic, boasting a handsomely precise and evenly organic grain structure. While the old MPEG-2 Blu-ray still holds its own for filmic texturing – it's actually quite a nice-looking Blu-ray overall for its age and spec limitations – the UHD trounces it for source accuracy and textural depth. The picture boasts finely improved facial details, firmer and more robust clothing lines and textures, and far superior environmental crispness and nuance. Again, the Blu-ray is very nice all things considered, but this is a sizeable leap for overall crispness, clarity, and accuracy. Add the absence of source wear and encode issues and this is a wonderful presentation for this film; fans are going to be delighted.

Underworld: Evolution 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sony brings Underworld: Evolution to the UHD format with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The opening battle sequence, taking place in the distant past, is a showcase for the Dolby Atmos track's audio prowess. It's incredibly large and filling, with score and action elements playing in perfect balance, both very aggressive but not overwhelming or overbearing. Surrounds are used extensively to draw the listener into the total experience. Score soars, action delights with multichannel directionality, and the low end is featured prominently without dominating the experience. The top end stretch is beautifully integrated, making use of obviously discrete effects but discrete effects that perfectly blend into the larger audio sum around them. Listeners will delight with organically positioned, imaged, and motion audio cues. All of this listening delight extends to the rest of the track as well.

The modern-day action scenes, comprising the bulk of the film, offer much the same in terms of dynamics. Music is fluid and full and gunfire is remarkably crisp. Shots ring out from all over with frightening accuracy and rip, impacting flesh with gooey punch and depth. Action scenes are endlessly delightful from beginning to end for fullness and clarity alike. There's a fine sense of spatial reverberation as well; environmental ambience and support are fully lifelike and engrossing. Music remains a powerful sonic weapon for clarity and triumphant spacing. Dialogue is rich and clear with firm front center positioning for the duration.

Underworld: Evolution 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The UHD disc includes a trailer. The bundled Blu-ray is identical to that which Sony issued in 2006. Below is a list of what's included. Please click here for full coverage. As it ships in the five-film Underworld collection, a Movies Anywhere digital copy voucher and a non-embossed slipcover are included.

UHD:

• Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:23).

• Audio Commentary: Director Len Wiseman, Production Designer Patrick Tatopoulos, Second Unit Director Brad Martin, and Editor Nick De Toth.
• Bloodlines: From Script to Screen
• The Hybrid Theory
• Making Monsters Roar
• The War Rages On
• Building a Saga
• Music and Mayhem
• Music Video
• Previews

Underworld: Evolution 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Underworld: Evolution plods along with plenty of blood, violence, and history for fans of the series to gobble up, but offers little substance along the way. Much like the film's color scheme, action over substance sometimes works (as was the case with Doomsday), but the approach fails here. I found it nearly impossible to immerse myself in the story, care about the well-being of the characters, and look forward to any revelations. The action kept the movie full-steam ahead, but I found no other redeeming values. Nevertheless, those who do enjoy this film, and the Underworld universe as a whole, will find a lot to like about this disc. The new video and audio presentations are terrific and well worth the price of admission and upgrade from a Blu-ray that admittedly still holds its own all these years later. Recommended.