Push 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Push" presents an interesting challenge for video quality analysis, given its deliberate post-production choices that veer towards a visually stylized, almost hallucinatory experience. Transferred onto 4K from a 2K Digital Intermediate, the film's original shoot utilized both 35mm and 16mm film, which contributes to the irregular grain structure observed throughout the presentation. This grain texture varies unpredictably, sometimes appearing clumped or unnaturally swarming, a characteristic not entirely attributed to the difference in film stock (35mm vs. 16mm), but possibly exacerbated by the transfer process. Despite these peculiarities, the upgrade in detail compared to its Blu-ray counterpart is noticeable, with fine textures such as facial details being more discernible.

The application of Dolby Vision and HDR10 color grading significantly enhances the viewing experience, introducing a vivid palette of neon and fluorescent hues that make certain scenes pop with an almost candy-like garishness. This intensely vibrant coloration emphasizes reds and yellows specifically, adding new dimensions to the film's unique visual tone. Scenes bathed in filtered lighting showcase dynamic contrasts, elevating the film's stylized aesthetic. Despite the apparent effort to maintain a 'grindhouse' look through added filters, grain, and intentional imperfections like scratches and warps, the overall effect aligns with the director's vision, offering a presentation that is both striking and intentionally rough around the edges.

While the HEVC encoded 2160p transfer does offer a significant upgrade in terms of clarity and depth, particularly in wide shots and actor close-ups, it doesn't escape critique. The handling of grain and other visual tweaks at times detracts from what could be a cleaner 4K portrayal. However, the robust use of HDR and Dolby Vision somewhat mitigates these issues by enriching the film's visual palette, deepening black levels, and enhancing skin tones, ensuring "Push" maintains a visually compelling appeal nearly a decade after its release.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Push" features an English Dolby Atmos mix that has been unanimously praised for transforming an already dynamic auditory experience into something genuinely reference-quality. The Atmos configuration leverages a moderately active arrangement, employing a blend of atmospheric sounds, precise panning, and occasionally discrete effects to elevate the level of immersion in sync with the visual narrative. Notably, the soundscape flourishes in the depiction of bustling city environments, where environmental cues and sound effects converge to create a vivid auditory layer. This mix excels in delivering clarity and spaciousness, with the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel imparting significant impact during scenes where mutants harness their powers, imbuing the soundtrack with both momentum and depth.

The Dolby Atmos track also introduces an enhanced auditory experience through its meticulous handling of directional sound and overhead activity. Sound effects associated with the film's unique mutant abilities—whether it be the whip pan effect signaling the activation of pushers or the wafting effect accompanying sniffers—are rendered with increased presence in the mix, adding an enjoyable texture to the viewing experience. The lively directional movement across the sound stage complements the detailed environmental sounds of Hong Kong's urban life, seamlessly integrating traffic noises and bustling crowds. The score, too, benefits from this spatial arrangement, gaining an expanded presence that supports but never overshadows critical dialogue, which remains crystal clear throughout.

Moreover, this Dolby Atmos mix distinguishes itself with its robust and well-balanced audio elements, ensuring effects like gunshots and explosions deliver tangible intensity, while mutant power manifestations engender an immersive soundscape that utilizes every speaker to full effect. Height channels are effectively utilized, enveloping the listener in the film's auditory world—be it through the ambient chaos of debris or the nuanced sounds of mutant abilities. Consistent across all reviews is the commendation for the track's potent bass response, which remains consistently full-bodied, enhancing the overall sonic tapestry without detraction. With its superb directionality and unparalleled clarity across all sound elements—dialogue included—the audio presentation of "Push" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is both a technical achievement and a testament to the immersive potential of high-quality sound mixing in enhancing cinematic storytelling.

The 4K UHD release of "Push" consolidates all prior special features available on the original Blu-ray, accentuating its legacy content with a new, albeit brief, addition focusing on the array of psychic powers featured in the film. Fans will appreciate the inclusion of the original, engaging audio commentary by Director Paul McGuigan and stars Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning, offering insightful behind-the-scenes perspectives and light-hearted anecdotes. The compilation retains its relevance with HD deleted scenes accompanied by optional directorial commentary, providing a glimpse into the editing process. "The Science Behind The Fiction" and "Breaking Down the 9 Types of Psychics" featurettes delve into the conceptual underpinnings of the film's portrayal of psychic abilities, albeit the latter’s brevity might leave some wanting. Despite its succinct new content, this collection maintains a professional, comprehensive approach to exploring the movie's creation and conceptual foundations.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Paul McGuigan and Actors Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning: Insightful discussion on the film's production.
• Deleted Scenes: HD quality scenes with optional directorial commentary.
• The Science Behind The Fiction: A deeper look at the movie's premise.
• Breaking Down the 9 Types of Psychics: A brief overview of the film's diverse psychic abilities.

Push" emerges on 4K UHD Blu-ray as a mid-tier superhero film, drawing inevitable comparisons to the likes of "X-Men" for its narrative centered around humans endowed with paranormal abilities. Set against the visually intriguing backdrop of Hong Kong, the film navigates through the lives of its protagonists - a "Mover" played by Chris Evans and a "Watcher" portrayed by Dakota Fanning. The duo, along with an ensemble cast of mutants, find themselves entangled in a high-stakes pursuit against a government agency intent on their destruction. Despite its commendable attempt to take a more grounded, albeit gritty approach to the superhero genre, akin to an "X-Files" vibe, "Push" struggles with achieving a distinctive identity, often veering into familiar territories of genetic mutations and covert operations.

Chris Evans, transitioning from roles in the "Fantastic Four" films to a pre-Captain America era, imbues his character with a nuanced charm that partially salvages the otherwise derivative plot. The film benefits from the ensemble's performances, including notable turns by Fanning, Corey Stoll, and Djimon Hounsou. However, "Push" is hampered by its execution, failing to fully leverage the potential of its premise and the fantastical elements at its disposal. The narrative occasionally loses its footing amidst numerous tangents and underdeveloped themes, resulting in a viewing experience that, while occasionally enjoyable, often feels unoriginal and unfocused.

Lionsgate's decision to release "Push" on 4K UHD Blu-ray appears somewhat arbitrary, consistent with the studio's eclectic selection strategy for its catalog titles. Despite lacking universal acclaim upon its initial release and subsequent home video iterations, this 4K UHD presentation offers a new dimension to the film with an improved Dolby Atmos track. While this may not elevate "Push" to newfound critical heights, it provides audiophiles and fans of the genre an opportunity to experience the movie with enhanced audio-visual fidelity. The release's attempt to reinvigorate interest in "Push" underscores the potential latent in revisiting films through superior tech formats, even if the movie itself does not realize its full conceptual potential.

Push," a film that placed itself between superhero titans with its unique take on an X-Men-esque world, recently made its mark in the 4K UHD market through a reissue by Summit and Lionsgate. This re-release includes a visually stunning Ultra HD presentation enhanced by Dolby Vision HDR, making the film's unique and at times surreal visual style pop more than ever before. The sound design reaches new heights with the addition of a fair Dolby Atmos mix, creating an immersive soundscape that does justice to the film's original auditory ambitions. While Chris Evans’ performance as an appealing and accessible hero is a highlight, the film struggles under the weight of a convoluted script and an excess of tangential subplots, potentially losing the viewer's engagement.

Despite its narrative shortcomings, "Push" boasts distinctive features that might appeal to a niche audience. The film's approach to a realistic, mutant-filled world, led by Evans before his Captain America fame, carries a certain charm and wit that is hard to ignore. However, the film fails to maintain its initial appeal, winding into a complexity that detracts rather than adds to the overall experience. The 4K UHD release attempts to breathe new life into this odd yet intriguing addition to the superhero genre with its slight visual improvements and exceptional sound quality. The supplementary material, though limited and not particularly compelling, does little to elevate the package.

In conclusion, "Push" finds itself in a curious position with its 4K UHD release. For fans of the film, this release represents the peak of its audio-visual presentation, bolstered by Dolby Vision HDR and a laudable Dolby Atmos track. While it shines in enhancing the film's technical aspects, it cannot fully compensate for the narrative and thematic meanderings that hampered its initial reception. Nevertheless, those drawn to its style and Evans' performance will find this release a worthy addition to their collection, albeit with managed expectations regarding its cinematic merit.