5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.9 |
Set in the near future, the film chronicles the odyssey of 30 young men and women who are sent deep into space on a multi-generational mission in search of a new home. The mission descends into madness, as the crew reverts to its most primal state, not knowing if the real threat they face is what's outside the ship or who they're becoming inside it.
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp, Fionn Whitehead, Colin Farrell, Chanté AdamsSci-Fi | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
If Lost in Space overtly exploited its connection to Johann David Wyss' Swiss Family Robinson in both its focal family's surname as well as marketing efforts which regularly described the group as the Space Family Robinson, Voyagers seems to want to be a bit more circumspect in divulging that its "high concept" (in more ways than one) might cheekily be called Lord of the Flies in Space. There's quite a bit of sidebar material distracting from that underlying central premise, but when you have a bunch of young(ish) types without any adult supervision reverting to an almost atavistic feral state, the connections are not hard to see. In the relatively near future of 2063, climate change has made the Earth uninhabitable, and the search for new planetary "digs" has resulted in a successful prospect, though the aimed for planet is so far away it will take two or three generations to get there. A plan is hatched by Richard Alling (Colin Farrell) whereby thirty (artificially inseminated) children are raised in an isolated high tech facility so that they don't become attached to things like, you know, trees and birds and the sky. They're also being schooled in a variety of scientific tasks that will be needed on a flight from which they'll never return. The plan is to have them grow up and eventually procreate on the ship, with their descendants finally able to make a new start once the spaceship arrives at its target planet. What could possibly go wrong?
Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 Blu-ray.
Voyagers is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p presentation in 2.39:1. As I mentioned in our Voyagers Blu-ray review, while the IMDb doesn't really offer much in
the way of technical data on the shoot, your intrepid reviewer was able to track down an interview with cinematographer Enrique Chediak where he
mentions having used Sony Venice cameras for this film. Unfortunately, your intrepid reviewer was not able to find any authoritative data on
what the DI's resolution was, but as I also stated in my review of the 1080 release, I'm assuming it was 4K since the Venice captures at much higher
resolutions. That assumption made after doing background research for the 1080 review is confirmed, in my mind and to my eyes at least, by the
superior detail levels easily observable in this 4K UHD version, one which in my estimation bests an already quite excellent 1080 presentation. There is
significant new fine detail to be seen across the board, some of which may not be particularly "helpful", as in some of the CGI moments. That said,
there are abundant examples of better fine detail in this presentation, including everything from stray hairs on Colin Farrell's neck to fabrics worn by the
"space kids". The palette is also quite expressive in this version, and I was repeatedly struck by some of the new nuances in the range of blue tones
the film repeatedly exploits. HDR gives new luster to these choices, and there are now some really interesting gradations that can vary from a kind of
tealish blue-green to much more deep and vivid cobalt blues.
Some audiophiles may blanch a bit if they go to the Audio menu on this disc and just see "English Dolby 5.1", thinking that this is another Lionsgate
release with only lossy audio, but the back cover listing of Dolby TrueHD 5.1 turns out to be correct. The film's sound design is probably inescapably
tamped down by the fact that so much of the story plays out in the claustrophobic confines of the spaceship (as mutantly huge as it's supposed to be).
There are moments of good immersion, and even a burst of LFE or two (as in the blast off scene), but a lot of the sonics here are rather subtle,
consigned to distant creaking or thumping noises on the spacecraft, or the occasional moment of chaos with large groups once behaviors start to
unravel. There are a couple of well done effects which won't be spoiled here, other than to say if you hear a big whoosh in an airlock, your days may be
numbered. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.
Note: One thing that struck me about the 4K audio presentation is that the amplitude seemed a bit lower overall, especially if just compared
to the opening bombast of the Lionsgate logo and theme that plays at disc boot up. Simply turning up my receiver made up any perceived deficits.
Commendably, Lionsgate has included the same slate of supplements on both the 4K UHD and 1080 discs included with this release:
It's kind of interesting to see Lionsgate lavishing such care on a film that barely made a ripple at the box office. Both the above average amount of supplements on this disc as well as the fact that there's even a 4K UHD version being released in addition to this 1080 version would seem to indicate Lionsgate thinks it has something on its hands (or is perhaps contractually obligated to act as if it does), but Voyagers is simply too rote for its own good. (The fact that Lionsgate didn't promote the 4K UHD release to me at least with the same fervor they did the 1080 version might also indicate that cooler reactions to the film have previaled.) There are some decent performances here and the film is well staged and nicely designed, but maybe Neil Burger should have searched for a better idea than recycling Lord of the Flies in outer space. Technical merits are solid, and this 4K version improves on already excellent detail levels while also adding some rather nice new highlights courtesy of HDR. Finally, the supplementary package is very enjoyable, for those who are considering a purchase.
The Remastered Collection
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2009
1971
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1999
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2008
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1980
2019
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2001-2005
2008
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1970
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2013
2009-2010
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1993-1998
2015
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2008