7.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Set in the near future, technology controls nearly all aspects of life, but when Grey, a self-identified technophobe, has his world turned upside down, his only hope for revenge is an experimental computer chip implant called STEM.
Starring: Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson, Melanie Vallejo, Benedict HardieThriller | Insignificant |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Shout! Factory has released the 2018 Techno-Action film 'Upgrade' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video and a Blu-ray with tweaked video. Additionally, this set includes new supplemental content that was not included on the original Universal Blu-ray which was released in 2018. These new discs appear to contain the same 5.1 lossless soundtrack found on the previous Universal issue.
The included screenshots are sourced from the bundled 1080p Blu-ray disc.
This UHD release of Upgrade includes not only the new UHD disc but also a new Blu-ray disc. A few words on that 1080p disc first. The image
appears to be texturally identical to the old Universal release; there's no tangible boost to sharpness, clarity, or anything of the sort. The only
difference
here is a slightly different color timing. The image is a little warmer overall. Contrast sees slight gains and temperature appears mildly boosted.
Blacks
are deeper and colors overall slightly bolstered. It's a nicer look for the film. Alone the Blu-ray is not worth the upgrade, so to speak, but to be sure
it's
a superior image, even if only incrementally.
Of course, the real highlight in this package is the UHD disc. The question, though, is whether it's actually a major upgrade from the Blu-ray. the
answer
is not really. The Blu-ray looks terrific, and the UHD looks solid, too, featuring 2160p resolution and Dolby Vision color grading. The textural
boosts
compared to the Blu-ray are fairly minor. The image is slightly clearer and sharper. There's very little gain to overall clarity, textural
sharpness, and the like.
Mild gains to clothing definition and facial features in close-up are clearly noted, but not dramatic. There is definitely a very obvious gain to
clarity. This is best described, texturally, as a finessed presentation. It amplifies the already excellent Blu-ray and yields the best picture currently
available, but fans should not expect the sort of extensive increase that might be found on other images.
The Dolby Vision grading is likewise something of a finessing of the color palette. It's brighter, yet at the same time tones are deeper and more
refined.
It's a bit punchier and more vivid, offering more intense highlights and deeper shadow elements that never reach crush. The sense of color accuracy
is
bolstered, but again to a more refined level rather than a redefining level. The Dolby Vision grading is certainly a little more prominent in its overall
amplification than are the textural elements, but this alone is worth the move to UHD for serious fans of the film.
There appears to be no obvious sonic differences between the original Universal DTS track and those included on both the Blu-ray and the UHD. Below
is the original audio review from the Universal disc.
Upgrade may feature an "antiquated" DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack (as opposed to one with more channels at its disposal),
but the presentation leaves little need for added channel bolstering. The robotically read "titles" at the beginning filter through the rear side with
chilling depth and pronouncement. Those are followed by very aggressive, throaty engine revs when Grey tests out the newly rebuilt Trans Am. There
is some terrific reverb throughout the stage, prominently in the rears, in Eron's house in chapter two. Indeed, it takes little time for a diverse collection
of sound elements to stretch and test every channel, and the track only gets better with time. There are some high quality atmospherics integrated
throughout, little things like distant sounds of dripping water in chapter seven. The track presents a number of hard-edged, industrial type sounds that
tear through the speakers with chilling efficiency and vitality and plenty of room-filling aggression. Gunfire in chapter 14 is impressively tight and deep.
Dialogue is well pronounced throughout, whether general human speech or the slightly more deep and dense and mildly reverberating STEM speech,
which only Grey can hear.
Unlike Universal's featureless Blu-ray, this release of Upgrade include a slew of supplemental content, all of which is on the Blu-ray disc; no
extras appear on the UHD disc, save for the audio commentary track, which is included on both discs. No digital copy code is included with
purchase. This release does not appear to ship with a slipcover.
Upgrade evolves from a moving portrait of a wounded man to a fascinating story of flesh and tech symbiosis to a revenge tale and finally to an extremely satisfying twist ending that violently and cautiously speaks to the dangers of the merging of man and machine. The end twist evolves several times over several minutes, leaving this reviewer, anyway, thrilled, angered (which included a literal yell of disbelief and disappointment at the screen), and thrilled again within a matter of moments. Whannell may have already made a name for himself with Saw and Insidious, but he's made himself into a visionary with Upgrade and into one of this reviewer's favorite filmmakers. This is a wonderfully realized and executed picture. Shout! Factory's new UHD release is a must own. While the UHD does not offer a substantial gain over the original Blu-ray, it is certainly the best currently available version of the film, especially for the Dolby Vision color grading. The audio track remains fantastic and the many new extras are welcome and necessary. Highly recommended!
2019
2017
2014
2017
2016
2011
2009
2015
Director's Cut Standard Edition
1987
1985
1984
מי מפחד מהזאב הרע / Mi mefakhed mehaze'ev hara
2013
1988
Collector's Edition
1984
2021
2014
2009
Una libélula para cada muerto
1975
2018
Ultra Turbo-Charged Collector's Edition
2015