Upgrade Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Upgrade" impresses with its high-yield image, showcasing impeccable detail throughout. The film's digital cinematography is rendered crisply, with close-up shots revealing intricate textures such as individual beard stubble and finely honed skin details. The transfer maintains excellent structural integrity, delivering noise-free, clear images even in dynamic sequences that involve intense gore, with opened flesh and facial mutilations rendered in squirmy detail. Colors are robust and well-saturated; reds are notably vibrant, while the overall palette imbues the film with a surreal tone befitting its sci-fi aesthetic.

Despite being inherently dark with numerous nighttime scenes, the Blu-ray excels in contrast management. Black levels are impressively deep and shadow details remain intact without signs of crush, creating substantial depth. The 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio ensures bright whites and deep blacks, avoiding any issues with clipping or crush. The digital source, shot on Arri Alexa XT and Alexa Mini cameras, is virtually devoid of compression artifacts or other technical flaws. Eerie red and purple lighting in certain scenes only enhance the moody saturation, making the futuristic cityscape both gritty and vivid.

In summary, Universal's Blu-ray release of "Upgrade" is marked by an enveloping aesthetic that masterfully balances fine texture with striking colors and well-managed contrast. The disc avoids common pitfalls with impressive clarity in both bright and dark scenes, making it a reference-tier presentation. While an UHD upgrade is absent, the current Blu-ray presentation still manages to deliver a visually compelling experience that is free from technical quirks, immersive, and richly detailed.

The audio presentation of Upgrade's Blu-Ray edition employs a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that delivers a highly engaging and immersive auditory experience. Despite lacking more advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, the track excels in utilizing its available channels fully. From the moment the robotically read titles filter through the rear speakers with chilling clarity to the throaty engine revs of the restored Trans Am, each element of the soundscape is meticulously designed. The audio track adeptly integrates atmospheric sounds, such as the distant dripping water in chapter seven and the busy ambiance of a police station or downtrodden bar, creating a convincing sense of place. Gunfire and punch impacts are executed with tight precision, filling the room with an aggressive vitality that enhances action scenes.

Dialogue clarity is a standout feature of this track, with general human speech and the distinctive, reverberating voice of STEM consistently clear and well-pronounced across all channels. The mix ensures that STEM's voice feels as if it surrounds the listener, effectively simulating the AI's omnipresence. Sound effects like car engines and debris during fights are presented with excellent directionality, seamlessly tracking across the soundstage. The bass response is particularly notable during critical fight scenes in the third act, where each punch is punctuated with low-end power, adding a visceral quality to the experience.

Overall ambiance is both wide and layered, with competent imaging and surround channel usage creating an enveloping environment. Although some gunshots may lack the expected low-end impact, this is a minor flaw in an otherwise immersive audio presentation. Dynamic range is robust, offering solid LFE during car crashes and fight sequences that resonate deeply. This stellar 5.1 mix ensures an engaging auditory experience that maximizes the film's dynamic sound design while offering an extensive workout for any home theater system.

The Blu-ray release of "Upgrade" is disappointingly sparse in terms of supplemental content. It lacks any substantial extras, with no director commentary track included on the disc itself or even through digital redemption. The main menu is minimalistic, offering only Play, Chapters, and Setup options. Moreover, there are no trailers or behind-the-scenes content, making it a barebones release that fails to provide additional value for fans or collectors. Universal's minimal effort in this release is surprising and leaves much to be desired for what could potentially become a future cult classic.

Extras included in this disc:

• Literally none: This disc contains no extra features beyond the basic movie presentation options.

Leigh Whannell, renowned for his contribution to the Saw and Insidious franchises, steps out from behind the keyboard to craft a remarkable directorial effort with "Upgrade." Set in a near-future landscape, this tech thriller deftly combines human fragility with advanced artificial intelligence, presenting a chilling exploration of man-machine symbiosis. The film’s storyline follows Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green), a mechanic and technophobe, who becomes paralyzed and distraught after witnessing his wife’s murder. He is offered a second chance through STEM, an experimental AI chip developed by tech mogul Eron Keen (Harrison Gilbertson). Once implanted, STEM restores Grey’s mobility and primes him for a visceral revenge quest, but with significant unforeseen consequences.

The narrative is a compelling blend of emotional depth and cynical tech commentary. Whannell skillfully elicits empathy for Grey's plight within minutes of the opening scenes, building a solid foundation for the movie’s emotionally charged journey. Logan Marshall-Green excels in portraying Grey’s evolution—from a grieving husband to a superhuman driven by vengeance under STEM’s increasingly domineering influence. The dynamic between Grey and STEM, an AI with its own consciousness, adds layers of moral ambiguity and existential conflict that elevate the narrative beyond typical exploitation cinema. This evolving relationship showcases an intricate play between human instincts and cold, calculated mechanics, effectively turning the movie into a thought-provoking study on the intersection of humanity and technology.

"Upgrade" captivates with its rapid-paced action sequences underscored by innovative camera work and brutal choreography. The fluidity in fight scenes is complemented by a hard-edge industrial score and impeccable production design, creating a dystopian aesthetic that is both slick and gritty. Supporting performances from Betty Gabriel as detective Cortez and Harrison Gilbertson as Keen further enhance the film's narrative richness. Whannell’s direction ensures that even on a limited budget, the movie stands out with impressive visual effects and a visually intoxicating atmosphere. Consequently, "Upgrade" transcends its low-budget constraints, offering a rewarding, if not cautionary, tale that resonates with today’s tech-centric world while foreshadowing chilling future possibilities.

Leigh Whannell's "Upgrade" is a gripping cyberpunk narrative that artfully balances a tale of revenge with a thought-provoking exploration of the symbiosis between man and machine. This film transitions from a poignant story of personal loss to intense scenes of flesh-tech integration, ultimately leading to a mesmerizing and exhilarating twist ending. The film's narrative arc, filled with dark humor and visceral action, captivates the viewer, providing an emotionally dynamic experience that shifts from thrill to disbelief within moments. The compelling storyline solidifies Whannell's reputation as a visionary in the genre.

On the technical front, Universal's Blu-ray release of "Upgrade" is exceptional, albeit minimalistic. The video transfer is pristine, capturing the sleek sci-fi visuals with sharpness and clarity that enhances the film's futuristic aesthetic. The audio mix is equally impressive, offering an immersive sound experience that heightens the kinetic energy and grindhouse violence depicted in the movie. However, the absence of any special features is a notable drawback, leaving enthusiasts longing for more behind-the-scenes content and insights into Whannell's creative process.

Despite the limited theatrical release and minimal promotional efforts, "Upgrade" has the potential to establish itself as a future cult classic. Its brilliance will unfold over time as audiences discover its rich blend of action, dark humor, and innovative storytelling. This Blu-ray release, though barebones, is highly recommended for its superb audiovisual quality and the film’s electrifying narrative. Whannell’s masterful execution makes "Upgrade" a standout entry in any sci-fi collection.