Underworld: Rise of the Lycans 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony has released the 2009 Action/Horror sequel film 'Underworld: Rise of the Lycans' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. The disc replaces the aged (but still relatively good) disc released in May of 2009. 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: Rise of the Lycans 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

As with Underworld: Evolution, Rise of the Lycans' 2160p/HDR UHD presentation offers an evolutionary, but perhaps not quite revolutionary, improvement. Make no mistake the UHD is the clear winner in every area but the old Blu-ray still holds its own. Still, there's no mistaking the clear textural superiority on display here. The picture is notably sharper overall. Textures are more finely revealing and substantially crisper. Viewers will appreciate sizeable improvements to the various elements that make up the production design: the weathered and worn and complexly textured stone sets, the intricate costumes, and the various weapons of war that come to bear throughout the film. Of course, facial definition is striking for complexity and depth, well beyond the Blu-ray's limits (which push to that format's upper regions). Likewise, hairs are more complex and finely precise here as well. The 2160p resolution certainly does good things for the picture.

So too does the HDR color grading. Like other films in the series, black and blue are the main color focuses here and the radically tuned and very familiar franchise color timing certainly benefits from the HDR boost. The separation between the shades of black and blue is superior here, with more vivid blues and deeper blacks, the former offering superior visual expressiveness and the latter inkier, more satisfying depth without crushing out vital detail. Whites are far brighter and so are shades of gray. Red blood is very deep but very vivid, all far superior to the Blu-ray's SDR grading which, try as it might, cannot find anywhere close to this level of tonal intensity, separation, nuance, and vividness. With no encode or serious source issues either this is clearly the new best way to watch the movie at home.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is the perfect companion to the new 2160p/HDR video. The soundtrack is just as explosive as one would expect form this franchise, even without a single gunshot to be heard. The track more than makes up for the lack of bullet mayhem with its own delightful symphony of sonic violence as various sounds of ancient combat litter the stage with startlingly effective and full placement: vivid discrete effects and fully satisfying cues maneuvering through the listening area. The surrounds are packed with content and while the overheads don't engage with all that many plainly discrete elements, the sense of added fullness through the top layer expansion certainly helps to draw the listener into the movie's blood-soaked world of movie mayhem. Score is rich and huge with, again, plenty of balanced surround support and the low-end never fails to find its place with striking depth and affirming power. Ambient effects are superbly integrated and help draw the listener into every environment, no matter how tight or spacious. Dialogue is clear and rich with natural front-center positioning.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans includes a new featurette on the UHD disc. The bundled Blu-ray is identical to that which Sony issued in 2009. 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:

• NEW! Rise of the Lycans: Inside the Castle Walls (1080p, 24:36): A look at filmmaker vision for the film with focus on production design: sets, weapons, technical photography secrets, lighting, costumes, and more.
• Trailers: included are Domestic Trailer (1080p, 2:19) and International Trailer (1080p, 1:55).

• Cinechat
• Audio Commentary: Director Patrick Tatopoulos, Creator Len Wiseman, Executive Producer James McQuaide, and Producers Richard Wright and Gary Lucchesi.
• Behind the Castle Walls: Picture-in-Picture
• Lycanthropes Around the World Interactive Map
• Underworld: Rise of the Lycans: From Script to Screen
• The Origin of the Feud
• Re-Creating the Dark Ages - The Look of Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
• Music Video: "Deathclub (Wes Borland/Renholder Remix)" by William Control Feat. Matt Skiba.
• BD-Live
• Previews

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

With this UHD, fans have a new best way to enjoy Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. The video is ultra-sharp and the color grading is intense and practically perfect. So too is the Atmos track for immersion and dynamics. Sony has even added in a new in depth extra focusing on the film's production design which was not included on the original Blu-ray. Recommended.