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Black Hawk Down

4K Ultra HD

Blu Ray

  • Score
    93
    from 6 reviewers
    Review Date:
  • Black Hawk Down: a stunning, must-have 4K release of a profound war film.

    Black Hawk Down 4K UHD Blu-ray Front Cover

    Disc Release Date:

    True 4K
    HDR10
    Dolby Atmos
    DTS-HD MA
    Dolby TrueHD
  • Video
    93
  • Sony's UK Ultra HD release of Black Hawk Down boasts a native 4K, stunning HDR-enhanced presentation with remarkable detail, vibrant colors, and deep blacks, faithfully reflecting Ridley Scott's vision.

  • Audio
    93
  • Black Hawk Down's Dolby Atmos upgrade delivers a riveting, room-filling audio experience with precise, dynamic sound effects and Zimmer's haunting score, enhancing immersion in its intense war drama.

  • Extra
    94
  • The 4K release of 'Black Hawk Down' revives cherished features from the DVD era, with both movie cuts in 4K, extensive documentaries, commentaries, and unseen extras on Blu-ray.

  • Movie
    90
  • Ridley Scott's 'Black Hawk Down' is a masterful depiction of survival and brotherhood in modern warfare, recognized for its intense realism and technical excellence.

    Video: 93

    Sony's Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "Black Hawk Down" promises an unrivaled visual treat with its native 4K presentation, aiming to match the director Ridley Scott's original vision and bringing this two-decade-old movie into the contemporary high-definition realm. This 4K UHD version boasts a full native 4K scan of both Theatrical and Extended Cuts from the original camera negatives. Encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec, the disc presents a 3840 x 2160p resolution image that maintains the film's original theatrical widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1. Enhancements in video depth with a 10-bit range, alongside the incorporation of Wide Colour Gamut (WCG) and High Dynamic Range (HDR), provide a significant upgrade in picture quality over previous releases.

    The application of HDR and WCG technology ensures a visual feast, emphasizing the impeccable contrast and vibrant color palette that enhances the gritty realism of the movie. Details are astoundingly sharp, revealing textures in the military uniforms, the war-weary faces of soldiers, and the chaotic urban battlefield with an unprecedented clarity. Black levels are deep and inky yet preserve shadow details, allowing for a more immersive viewing experience in darker scenes. Furthermore, the enhanced color grading introduces a more authentic representation of skin tones and the film's characteristic harsh, sun-baked environment, elevating both the realism and aesthetic appeal of the imagery.

    Notably, despite its age, "Black Hawk Down" on 4K UHD reflects a meticulous restoration that respects the film's original grain structure and artistic intent without succumbing to unnecessary digital manipulation. As a result, viewers are treated to a raw and unfiltered portrayal of warfare, underscored by improved clarity and texture in every frame. The fidelity to the source material's intended look—marked by stylized cinematography that leverages harsh contrasts and a distinct color palette—further establishes this release as a gold standard for home video presentations. This combination of technical finesse and artistic fidelity makes "Black Hawk Down" on 4K UHD a definitive viewing experience for aficionados seeking the utmost in picture quality.

    Audio: 93

    The 4K UHD Blu-Ray audio presentation of "Black Hawk Down" markedly enhances the cinematic experience with its Dolby Atmos track, evidencing a significant leap from its predecessors. While previous audio formats like the uncompressed LPCM and 5.1 mixes provided commendable dynamic range and clarity, this Atmos mix transcends with an open, natural soundstage that enriches the immersion. The meticulous sound design leverages the expanded soundscape, delivering precise surround positioning and leveraging overhead channels for atmospheric and specific audio cues. This sonic prowess transforms living rooms into the heart of the battle with an unparalleled sense of presence and movement, particularly as helicopters roar overhead, melding seamlessly with Hans Zimmer’s haunting score for an enveloping experience.

    Amidst the chaos of war depicted on screen, the Dolby Atmos track distinguishes itself with its adept handling of intense action sequences and nuanced sound design. Gunfire, explosions, and the whirr of helicopter blades are rendered with striking clarity and depth, placing viewers amidst the fray with frightening detail. The dynamic range is impressively wide, from the subtleties of sand debris to the robust impact of RPGs and heavy gunfire, without ever compromising dialogue clarity or overshadowing softer, character-driven moments. This balance is a testament to the audio mix’s intricate layering and prioritization, which ensures a coherent auditory experience amid rampant sonic chaos.

    Critically, the Atmos track excels in creating an immersive 360° soundfield that not only showcases technical brilliance but also enhances the narrative's emotional impact. City atmospherics and battlefield din wrap around the listener, transporting them directly into the streets of Mogadishu. The track’s fidelity to spatial realism, coupled with a thunderous low-end that tests the limits of home sound systems, solidifies "Black Hawk Down’s" Blu-Ray release as a reference-grade audiovisual experience. This sonic achievement does not merely accompany the visual spectacle but elevates it, making every scene—from quieter dialogues to the cacophony of combat—a compelling case for the capabilities and impact of high-definition immersive audio.

    Extra: 94

    The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Black Hawk Down" presents an immersive upgrade from its predecessor releases with a comprehensive suite of extras spread across its three-disc package, adhering to the aficionado's expectation for depth and quality. It distinguishes itself by maintaining the robust selection of special features found in the original DVD and early Blu-ray versions, enhanced for the high-definition era. Of particular note are the extensive audio commentaries that provide deep dives from various perspectives including director Ridley Scott, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, screenwriter Ken Nolan, author Mark Bowden, and Task Force Ranger veterans, offering invaluable insights into both the cinematic and actual events of the story. The set is rounded off with a pair of compelling documentaries from The History Channel and PBS that delve into the true story behind the film, in addition to deleted scenes, multi-angle scene breakdowns, and several design-focused featurettes, ensuring that this edition acts as the definitive compilation of supplementary material for fans and newcomers alike.

    Extras included in this disc:

    • The History Channel Presents: "The True Story of Black Hawk Down": An in-depth documentary that complements the film with a real-world perspective.
    • PBS Presents: "Frontline: Ambush in Mogadishu": Another exhaustive documentary providing insights into the events depicted in the movie.
    • Audio Commentary by Director / Producer Ridley Scott & Producer Jerry Bruckheimer: Offering a comprehensive overview of the film's production.
    • Audio Commentary by Author Mark Bowden & Screenwriter Ken Nolan: Discussing the translation from book to screenplay and highlighting key adaptations.
    • Audio Commentary by Task Force Ranger Veterans: Sharing firsthand accounts and differentiating between Hollywood portrayal and reality.
    • “The Essence of Combat: Making Black Hawk Down” Documentary: A multi-part delve into the creation of this monumental film.
    • Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary: Providing additional context and content cut from the final version.
    • Designing Mogadishu Featurette and Other Design Documentaries: Exploring the visual conceptualization of the film's setting.
    • Multi-Angle Sequence with Optional Commentary & Q&A Forums: Offering diverse perspectives on a pivotal scene and insights from cast and crew through Q&A sessions.
    • Music Video, Photo Galleries, Trailers & TV Spots: Including a broad range of promotional material and artistic explorations.

    Movie: 90

    Ridley Scott’s “Black Hawk Down,” masterfully adapted from journalist Mark Bowden’s gripping account of the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, emerges as a landmark in modern war cinema, strikingly presented in its latest 4K UHD Blu-ray release. Despite controversies over its portrayal of the Somali combatants and perceived jingoistic tones, the film’s raw depiction of military survival against overwhelming odds transcends these criticisms, offering an intense, claustrophobic experience of warfare where victory is measured not in gains but in survival. Scott's meticulous attention to the harrowing details of the conflict and the steadfast resolve encapsulated by the Ranger Creed enhance the narrative, firmly positioning this work among his most commendable directorial endeavors.

    The ensemble cast, boasting now-celebrated names such as Eric Bana, Josh Hartnett, and Ewan McGregor, lend authenticity and gravitas to the harrowing experiences of soldiers trapped in hostile territory, ensuring viewers are ensnared in the visceral reality of combat where camaraderie is the slimmest lifeline. This cinematic piece is not just a tribute to those who fought but a raw depiction of war’s unchanging face, starkly reminding audiences of the chaos and sacrifice embedded in armed conflicts. The film’s aesthetic, guided by Slawomir Idziak's cinematography, combines a gritty, unromantic visual style that impeccably complements the narrative’s intensity, immersing viewers in the almost tangible dread and valor on screen.

    The Sony 4K/HDR UHD release of “Black Hawk Down” not only revitalizes the visual and auditory experience with exceptional clarity and immersive sound but also serves as a comprehensive package that respects and enhances the original material. For enthusiasts and newcomers alike, this release underscores the film's enduring relevance and technical prowess, securing its place as a seminal exploration of modern warfare. Through its extended and theatrical cut presentations, the release offers audiences a complete immersion into Ridley Scott’s uncompromising vision, solidifying “Black Hawk Down” as an essential addition to the war film genre and a significant case study in cinematic craftsmanship.

    Total: 93

    Ridley Scott's "Black Hawk Down," a film that meticulously delves into the profound complexities and raw intensity of modern combat, is celebrated not only for its powerful storytelling and masterful direction but also as a pinnacle of technical cinematic presentation. The transition to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray by Sony enriches this landmark in war cinema with an unparalleled visual and auditory experience. The native 4K restoration elevates the film's already breathtaking cinematography, delivering a picture quality that sets a high benchmark for the UHD format. Coupled with a thunderous Dolby Atmos soundtrack, the film's immersive soundscape plunges viewers directly into the heart of the harrowing conflict, enhancing the emotional and visceral impact of the story. Fans and cinephiles equipped with the right home theater setup will find this release a compelling upgrade, boasting a combination of stellar video presentation and dynamic audio that honors the film's legacy.

    Moreover, this three-disc set is brimming with a comprehensive array of special features, including both fresh content and beloved extras from previous releases, offering an exhaustive look behind the scenes of this cinematic masterpiece. Despite minor drawbacks such as the absence of a remastered HD version of the extended cut, the overall value presented is unequivocal. Priced accessibly, this package stands as an indispensable acquisition for enthusiasts of the war genre, reaffirming "Black Hawk Down's" status as a quintessential cinematic exploration of warfare and a testament to Ridley Scott’s directorial prowess.

    Conclusively, Sony's 4K UHD release of "Black Hawk Down" does more than justice to the film’s intricate examination of the chaos and fraternity within the crucible of battle. It crystallizes its raw emotional power and technical brilliance, making it an essential addition to any UHD collection. The film’s portrayal of the harsh realities of war, combined with its top-tier audiovisual upgrade and robust selection of extras, ensures that this release is highly recommended - a must-have for both longtime admirers and newcomers to this gripping depiction of modern warfare.