The Angry Birds Movie 2 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The Angry Birds Movie 2 makes its mark in the 4K UHD Blu-ray arena with an impressive HEVC H.265 2160p presentation, upconverted from a 2K digital intermediate. This transfer shines with remarkable clarity and depth, offering viewers a visual treat that significantly surpasses its Blu-ray counterpart. Enhanced texture definition is immediately noticeable, with the finer details in characters' feathers and the varied environments—from sun-bathed beaches to icy interiors—boasting a striking sharpness and realism. The animation benefits immensely from this upgrade, presenting a three-dimensional quality that adds depth and life to the scenes, particularly evident in detailed backdrops and character interactions.

The marvel of this 4K presentation lies in its HDR color grading, which brings an astonishing level of vibrancy and nuance to the film's palette. The spectrum enjoys a profound boost in tonal intensity, transforming the viewing experience with colors that leap off the screen. Reds and yellows become more vivid, while blues gain depth, enhancing scenes with a dynamic range that feels almost revelatory. This HDR implementation not only enriches the primary hues but also accentuates a broader array of secondary colors, enveloping Eagle Island in lively pinks, dynamic purples, and an array of soft pastels. Such color richness provides a kaleidoscopic feast for the eyes, rendering previous versions of the movie lackluster in comparison.

In terms of technical specifics, the 4K video maintains an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 on a BD-66 layer disc. Brightness and contrast see significant improvement, with whites achieving greater luminosity and blacks deeper and more nuanced, contributing to an overall image that's not only sharper but also possesses a more pronounced three-dimensional sense of space. Specular highlights gleam with lustrous crispness, and shadows delve deeper with velvety clarity, ensuring every moment of the film is showcased with the utmost visual fidelity. Overall, this presentation not only serves as a testament to the capabilities of 4K UHD technology but also sets a high standard for animated features in the format.

The Angry Birds Movie 2" on 4K UHD Blu-ray brings its avian and porcine antics to life with a DTS:X audio presentation that, while not the zenith of what object-based soundtracks are capable of, provides a commendably clear and engaging soundscape. The mix tends toward the laid-back, with an emphasis on front-channel action and a judicious use of overhead channels for atmospherics rather than an all-out auditory assault. This restraint doesn't detract from the experience—it's well-aligned with the on-screen events, providing environmental details and musical scores with good clarity. However, the mix's dynamics feel slightly compressed at times, especially noticeable in sequences demanding a robust low-end response that seems lacking in depth and expansiveness.

Surround activity is executed with finesse, delivering a decently immersive half-dome soundstage. The battle sequences and island antics are enhanced by the directional flow of sounds, creating an enveloping field that extends well into the rear channels. Yet, despite these strengths, the presentation's ceiling activity is surprisingly sparse. The occasional use of height channels for effects like giant ice balls or debris is precise but too infrequent to significantly elevate the overall auditory experience. Furthermore, dialogue maintains crisp prioritization across even the busiest segments, which is essential for keeping the narrative focus clear amidst the sonic chaos.

In variant audio formats including both English DTS:X and Dolby Atmos, as well as a plethora of global language options, the disc caters to a wide audience. However, regardless of format, a consistent critique emerges regarding the low-end frequencies: the subwoofer performance is underwhelming. Expected moments of impact from action sequences or musical beats fall short of delivering the anticipated punch, dimming the vibrancy of this otherwise dynamic mix. This shortfall, coupled with a volume leveling that requires adjustment for optimal enjoyment, suggests room for improvement in balancing and refining the audio presentation to match the visual spectacle touted by the "IMAX ENHANCED" experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Angry Birds Movie 2" offers a robust package of extra content primarily housed on the accompanying Blu-ray disc, ensuring there's plenty for fans to enjoy beyond the main feature. The set's highlight is an exclusive mini-movie "Live Stream," presented in 1080p, featuring fan favorites Silver, Red, and the Hatchlings. Additionally, viewers can dive into six delightful mini-movies including holiday-themed adventures and special occasions with the Hatchlings, adding depth to the beloved characters. For hands-on fun, "DIY Family Fun" provides three craft projects perfect for engaging young viewers. Deep dives into the making of the film, character features, and a unique look at the real-life birds inspiring the movie offer educational and entertaining insights. A digital copy is included for on-the-go enjoyment, rounding off a comprehensive package that's as entertaining as it is informative, though it is notable that the bulk of these features are not available in 4K resolution.

Extras included in this disc:

• ALL NEW MINI MOVIE! - “Live Stream”
• DIY Family Fun!: Includes "Hangry Birds: Popcorn Balls", "Smarty Birds: Crafty Volcano", and "Crafty Birds: Pig Snot".
• Bird Watching: A featurette on the real-life birds that inspired the movie's characters.
• Meet The New Birds & Pigs: Introduces new characters and their voice actors.
• Hatching the Hatchlings: Focuses on the Hatchlings' expanded role.
• Flocking Together: Making The Angry Birds Movie 2: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film.
• Happy Thanks-pigging: A feature suggesting alternative Thanksgiving meals.
• Jingle Birds: A Holiday Song From The Cast of Angry Birds 2.

The Angry Birds Movie 2" sails into the world of 4K UHD Blu-ray with its vibrant plumage undeniably more brilliant and engaging, thanks to an impeccable transfer that does justice to its colorful, animated landscape. While the sequel may not tread new narrative soil—echoing the familiar feuds between avian and porcine kind—it introduces a unifying threat from Eagle Island that necessitates a truce, turning erstwhile foes into unlikely allies. The premise embarks on a journey of cooperation and the dismantling of biases to face a common foe, which, while predictable in trajectory, carries with it a fervent charm and a dash of novelty. Characters return with their idiosyncrasies intact, voiced with zest by a cast that embraces their roles with evident relish; notably, Leslie Jones as Zeta brings a refreshing vigor to the antagonist role, adding layers to what could easily have been a one-dimensional character.

From a technical standpoint, the movie exudes excellence with its 4K presentation, elevating the visual spectacle to a level that pairs magnificently with its high-flying antics and elaborately animated set-pieces. The intricacies of animation are showcased superbly, allowing for an immersive experience that both children and adults can appreciate on different levels. The movie's humor, while leaning heavily on established formulas, strikes enough of a balance to prevent it from feeling stale, peppered with enough wit to keep the adult audience entertained without straying from its child-centric appeal.

The amalgamation of action and comedy is handled with a light touch, ensuring that the movie's pace remains brisk and enjoyable throughout. While "The Angry Birds Movie 2" might not revolutionize animated storytelling, it offers a solid dose of fun, underpinned by themes of friendship and unity against adversity. The technical proficiency of its 4K UHD presentation only enhances the viewing experience, making it a visually delightful watch that capitalizes on its colorful characters and high-octane escapades. Despite its adherence to the tried-and-tested, it manages to carve out moments of genuine amusement and warmth, solidifying its place as an engaging sequel that, while not soaring to new heights, glides commendably on the thermals of family-friendly entertainment.

The Angry Birds Movie 2" on 4K UHD Blu-Ray from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment delivers a visual and auditory experience that, while not groundbreaking, surpasses its predecessor and meets the expectations for fans of the genre and franchise. The film itself presents a zany, fun-filled adventure with vibrant animation and spirited voice work, making for a thoroughly enjoyable viewing. It doesn't redefine animated movies but offers a solid escape with its colorful humor and passable storyline. The 4K HDR10 presentation is noted as reference-quality, significantly enhancing the visual experience over its HD SDR counterpart. However, the audio experience, specifically the DTS:X mix, is mentioned as less than perfect across reviews, suggesting room for improvement in providing an immersive soundstage.

On the technical frontier, the Ultra HD package boasts exceptional video quality with 2160p/HDR visuals that bring out the best in the film's animation, making it a visually stunning presentation. The lossless surround sound and Dolby Atmos soundtrack, despite some critiques, provide a gratifying auditory experience overall. Supplemental content is fan-friendly, offering a range of extras that will delight not just children but adults as well. These include behind-the-scenes features and possibly games that enhance the viewing experience, making this edition the definitive version of the film for collectors and fans alike.

In conclusion, "The Angry Birds Movie 2" on 4K UHD Blu-Ray emerges as a recommended addition to any animation aficionado's collection, thanks largely to its superior video presentation and adequate sound quality. While it may not achieve cinematic excellence, its high-quality production values on this format make it a worthwhile investment for entertaining the young and young-at-heart. Despite the minor shortcomings in its audio tracks, the overall package presents a compelling case for being the best version available for this animated sequel.