June 2024 4K and Blu-ray Roundup: Part 1 of 2 Roundup

This Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire release brings a masterful Dolby Atmos audio track that roars with the intensity you'd expect from titanic throwdowns. The primary English Dolby Atmos track is backed by TrueHD 7.1, making every roar, explosion, and thunderous stomp feel earth-shattering. The overhead channels add depth, pulling you into every bit of debris and chaos from above. Clear dialogue amidst the cacophony ensures you don’t miss a single war cry or whisper. While some high-frequency sounds—think cymbals and splashes—might lack a bit of shimmer, this doesn't detract from an overall explosive audio experience.

Warner Bros. has not skimped on the treasure trove of extras accompanying this release. Featurettes like GxK: Day of Reckoning and Evolution of the Titans: Godzilla Evolved deliver rich insights into the making of this monster epic. Director Adam Wingard’s commentary adds layers of context, unveiling the technical wizardry behind scenes like the zero-gravity battle. The The Battles Royale series is particularly engaging, drawing you behind the camera for an intimate look at creating titanic brawls. This well-rounded package not only enhances the rewatch value but celebrates the meticulous craftsmanship that went into bringing these legendary monsters to life.

Dive into the immersive world of Nikita with the French 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track which, though not breaking new ground, surrounds the viewer with an acoustic landscape worthy of Besson's vision. The bass thumps with the intensity of a chase, lending a visceral edge to action sequences. While the audio design holds some dated elements, key moments like bustling city noises and elevated scores wrap around you, creating an encompassing atmosphere. The French and English dubs align their 5.1 DTS-HD MA tracks in harmony, offering clear dialogues and consistently engaging dynamics that keep you on edge.

Though 'La Femme Nikita’s' 4K UHD release boasts impeccable AV quality, it falls short with a lack of extras—Sony skips special features entirely. No commentaries, no behind-the-scenes, not even a trailer graces this disc. Packaging enthusiasts will appreciate the stylish steelbook case, but this does little to satiate those hungry for deeper insights into Besson's creation. Despite this, La Femme Nikita remains a must-have purely for its exceptional video quality, ensuring Luc Besson’s gritty narrative is delivered with unprecedented sharpness and clarity, making it a notable addition to any cinephile’s collection.

Audio aficionados, rejoice! The 4K UHD Blu-ray of Rango doesn’t just settle for visual mastery but also delivers an acoustically rich experience with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The dynamic range is impressive, balancing bombastic action sequences with serene moments flawlessly. The mix packs a punch from every angle, ensuring top-notch dialogue clarity amidst the booming, spatially immersive soundscapes. Expect to be utterly enveloped in the world of Dirt, with every atmospheric noise and discrete effect meticulously placed to heighten immersion.

Raring to dig deeper into Rango's world? Paramount's 4K release retains a treasure trove of legacy extras. It includes audio commentary by Gore Verbinski and team, intriguing featurettes like 'Breaking the Rules: Making Animation History', and fun explorations such as 'Real Creatures of Dirt'. Packed with high-definition bonus content from the 2011 release, fans are spoiled with insights into Rango’s making and its quirky charm. While the lack of new extras might dissuade some, the comprehensive existing ones make this edition a valuable package for animation enthusiasts.

Taking the auditory tour of South Park: Joining the Panderverse is an experience bathed in the reliable tones of an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix. It’s largely front-focused – perfect for a dialogue-centric show where fast-quipping characters like Cartman dominate – yet sprinkles in surround sound moments that give the episode an added layer of depth. Directionality shines during animated transitions between multiverse portals and the familiar settings of South Park Elementary. While it might not boast bombastic effects like some other episodes, the mix here still provides an engaging soundscape that matches the action beat for beat.

Here’s the caveat: fans eager for behind-the-scenes peeks will find this Blu-ray a bit wanting. Universal's package comes barren of any special features, lacking the usual insightful commentaries or hilarious featurettes that typically accompany these releases. What's inside is just the main special—no hidden gems, no retrospectives. Still, South Park: Joining the Panderverse is a satirical rollercoaster well worth the ride for hardcore fans of the show. The video presentation dazzles, and while the audio may not set new benchmarks for immersion, it’s serviceable enough to ensure every bit of sarcasm and social critique lands squarely. Overall, this release is recommended for those dedicated to South Park’s unique brand of cultural commentary.

Plug in and brace yourself! 'Immaculate' channels a profoundly immersive auditory experience through its 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix. Dialogue cuts through even the heaviest of accents with precision, making every emotional peak pop. Choral elements echo into the surrounds with a clarity that embraces you in the film's haunting ambiance. The atmospheric sounds—like room tones and group activities—render each scene vividly, while bass frequencies add impactful oomph to violent events without overwhelming other elements. This aural blend invites you on an auditory exploration that deepens the film’s tension and evokes raw fear.

The Blu-ray release of 'Immaculate' delights cinephiles with a treasure trove of extras. Chief among them is an insightful director's commentary by Michael Mohan, offering a behind-the-scenes look into his creative decisions. While missing a theatrical trailer, these meticulously crafted supplements—packed with high production quality—give fans a thorough look into the film's development and its macabre milieu. However, much like the transfer’s dualities, the extras are where 'Immaculate' truly shines, making it an enticing acquisition for horror enthusiasts eager to peek behind the convent curtains.

The audio experience in The Valiant Ones takes craftsmanship to heart with a restored Mandarin LPCM mono track. Despite the original sound negative's limitations, every clashing sword and swish of an arrow resonates crisply, maintaining dramatic tension with precision. The martial symphony is both clean and dynamic, with dialogue that cuts through the chaos like a blade through silk. Yes, there’s a slight boxiness at higher frequencies, but these minor blemishes barely dull the otherwise stellar audial tapestry. Crisp subtitles ensure that even non-Mandarin speakers can fully revel in the detailed sonic journey.

The extras on this release create a cinephile’s Shangri-La. With a new audio commentary by Frank Djeng, Tony Rayns’ detailed dive into King Hu’s rivalry with Shaw Brothers, and video essays unraveling themes and techniques, viewers get a VIP pass into the golden age of wuxia. Interviews with pioneering stuntmen and actresses like Hsu Feng offer touching retrospectives that are nothing short of gold for buffs of Asian cinema. Coupled with physical goodies like a scholarly booklet by Jonathan Clements, Eureka ensures this edition stands as a monumental celebration of Hu's legacy. All things considered, this 4K UHD release not only meets expectations – it surpasses them with flying colors, making 'The Valiant Ones' an unmissable addition to any serious collection.

The thunderous echoes of James Horner's moving score reverberate more vividly than ever with a Dolby Atmos mix that places you at the heart of 19th-century warfare. Canon fire and battlefield chaos swirl around your listening space, transforming your living room into a war zone. Additionally, Sony maintains a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 for those preferring a classic surround soundscape. The dialogue piercing through the din of battle ensures you catch every stirring word, providing an audio experience that complements the film’s historical gravity. Whether through Atmos or DTS-HD MA, the sonic landscape encapsulates the tension and valor of ‘Glory’ unapologetically.

Enriching this release is a treasure trove of extras that digs deep into the historical and cinematic craftsmanship behind ‘Glory’. Included is a Picture in Picture Video Commentary with insights from Zwick, Broderick, and Freeman. Delve into historical documentaries like The Voices of Glory and The True Story Continues, offering extended views into the regiment's valor. All housed within an artfully crafted SteelBook, this edition is more than just a movie—it’s a collector's artifact. While the enhancements aren't revolutionary compared to prior releases, the fine-tuned visuals and wealth of extras ensure this remains the most definitive version for fans and history buffs alike.

Universal’s release elevates the movie with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track that’s as immersive as stepping into a wizardly realm. Dialogue emerges crisp and centered, ensuring every magical incantation and witty exchange lands perfectly. Although the mundane settings—like coffee shops and parks—limit constant auditory dazzle, when the fantastical kicks in, it's pure auditory bliss. The directionality punctuates magical sequences with flair, while bass response adds depth to musical interludes and sound effects. This audio mix envelops viewers in a subtle yet robust sonic cocoon, proving high-definition audio’s power in enhancing narrative immersion.

What’s a magical film without its treasure trove of extras? Universal doesn’t disappoint, presenting a bevy of behind-the-scenes gems. Secret Society Members features Kobi Libii and Justice Smith discussing their characters and roles, while Crafting a Magical Society provides insights into cinematography, wardrobe, and set design. The standout is the Feature Commentary by Libii, mixing technical details with personal anecdotes—a delightful concoction for film aficionados. Despite its fragmented narrative, 'The American Society of Magical Negroes' on Blu-ray offers striking visual detail and robust sound, making it a thoughtful albeit uneven magical-romantic escapade worth delving into.