Infinite 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Infinite's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation enhances the viewing experience with subtle yet appreciated improvements over its Blu-ray counterpart, especially noticeable in the film’s meticulously crafted visuals. Paramount’s 4K release, encoded with HEVC / H.265 and showcased in a 2160p resolution on a BD-66 layer, excels in delivering scenes filled with deep blacks and vibrant colors thanks to the added depth of Dolby Vision HDR, which brings out finer details and textures in everything from character faces to the expansive environments. The clarity and detail are particularly evident in the darkened highlights during Evan's retraining and recovery sequences, where the specter of HDR elevates the visual depth, contrast, and vividity of colors, revealing intricate pores on skin and the detailed fabric of clothing without succumbing to video noise or encoding artifacts.

While the upgrade in visual fidelity is not described as groundbreaking, the incremental enhancements in sharpness, clarity, and color handling are undeniable. The Dolby Vision color grading amplifies the intensity of whites and deepens the blacks, achieving a more nuanced and balanced palette across the film's stylized settings, where blues and ambers especially benefit. This results in natural and pleasing skin tones amid a variety of lighting conditions, ensuring that darker scenes remain clear without murky shadows or bleeding. The detail resolution stands out even in lower-light conditions, with close-ups revealing every hair, wrinkle, and scar distinctly.

The UHD presentation effectively leverages the film’s visual strengths, producing deep, inky black levels and a rich color spectrum that enhances primary colors and earthy tones alike. The attention to detail extends to the film’s CGI elements, which are presented with a level of intricacy that avoids softness or pixelation, maintaining immersion even when the CGI quality itself becomes distractingly apparent. Overall, Infinite on 4K UHD with Dolby Vision offers a substantially refined viewing experience, albeit not a revolutionary leap from the Blu-ray edition, with an aspect ratio of 2.39:1 that preserves the director’s vision.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack accompanying the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Infinite" showcases a judicious blend of enveloping audio dynamics characteristic of high-budget Sci-Fi/Action films. It offers an active surround mix, leveraging the enhanced capabilities of Dolby Atmos to place audio objects with precision in the 3D space around the listener. The mix excels in delivering a potent concoction of atmospheric soundscapes, detailed music cues, and discrete sound effects that align seamlessly with the visuals on screen. The result is an immersive auditory experience that heightens the film's impact, drawing viewers deeper into its universe. Action sequences shine with a barrage of intricately defined audio elements that contribute to a sense of infinite stage saturation and dynamic range.

Paramount's Dolby Atmos track excels in capturing the essence of high-octane moments through meticulous sound design. Chase scenes, explosions, and sci-fi elements are rendered with a palpable sense of scale, boasting extensive dynamic range and bass response without overshadowing the musical score or diluting atmospheric sounds. The low-frequency effects add depth to these sequences, working in tandem with well-directed sounds that maintain clarity and prevent auditory elements from bleeding into one another. Even in quieter scenes, the soundtrack demonstrates adeptness in creating engaging atmospherics with balanced surround sound and subwoofer integration, ensuring dialogue remains crystal clear and centrally positioned throughout.

Moreover, the audio presentation of "Infinite" on this Dolby Atmos track is distinguished by its adept handling of spatial sound distribution. Listeners are placed at the epicenter of action, surrounded by sound that accurately reflects onscreen events and locations, with no detail lost to misdirection or overshadowing effects. The subtleties of dialogue reproduction, despite being less pronounced, do not detract from the overall experience. The soundtrack's competent handling of both the bombastic and tranquil moments helps establish a coherent and captivating audio environment, showcasing the film's dynamic auditory landscape to its fullest potential.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Infinite" enhances the home viewing experience, not just through its main feature, but also via its meticulously curated extras. Comprising roughly 36 minutes in total, these featurettes delve deep into the core aspects of the film, including its intriguing take on reincarnation, behind-the-scenes insights into the film's substantial action sequences, and the conceptual and visual effects prowess that sets "Infinite" apart. Noteworthy is the comprehensive coverage of significant scenes—like the police station and forest—that are pivotal to understanding the film's climax. These addendums serve to enrich the viewer's appreciation of "Infinite's" creative vision and technical execution. Equipped with a digital code and standard packaging featuring a non-embossed slipcover, this release proves to be more than the average cinematic experience, catering to both enthusiasts of intricate film-making processes and fans seeking added value through behind-the-scenes exploration.

Extras included in this disc:

• They Call Themselves Infinites: Exploration of the concept of reincarnation, character development, and set design.

• The Kinetic Action of Infinite: Behind-the-scenes look at the choreography and technology behind the film’s action scenes.

• Anatomy of a Scene – Police Station & Forest: Detailed look at the creation of two key scenes.

• Infinite Time: Insights into the creation of the film’s effects and action sequences.

Infinite," directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Mark Wahlberg, embarks on an ambitious sci-fi action journey that unfortunately never truly takes flight. Based on the 2009 novel "The Reincarnationist Papers" by D. Eric Maikranz, the film introduces a fascinating premise: the existence of "Infinites," individuals who remember their past lives and are divided into two factions with opposing worldviews. The Believers aim to use their knowledge for the betterment of humanity, while the Nihilists see their eternal return as a curse and seek to end the cycle by any means necessary. Amidst this eternal struggle, Evan McCauley (Wahlberg), grappling with memories of lives he never lived and skills he never learned, discovers his place within this hidden world.

Despite its promising setup and the reunion of Fuqua and Wahlberg, "Infinite" struggles to escape the shadow of its own potential. The narrative, while initially engaging, soon devolves into a convoluted mess plagued by lackluster performances and a script that fails to delve into the intriguing aspects of its core concept. Action sequences, which could have been the film's saving grace, feel uninspired and are hampered further by stagnant dialogue and an evident lack of passion or coherence in the execution. This disconnect extends to Wahlberg's portrayal of Evan, a character meant to be at the narrative's emotional core but instead seems lost amidst the chaos, delivering a performance that lacks the depth required to carry such a complex story.

"Infinite" could have been a compelling exploration of identity, memory, and existential dread, set against the backdrop of an action-packed sci-fi drama. Instead, it serves as a cautionary tale of squandered potential where neither the high-concept story nor the formidable talents involved are utilized to their fullest. The film's failure to captivate or engage audiences leaves it feeling like a missed opportunity rather than the inception of a thought-provoking franchise it aspires to be. The disjoint between its lofty ambitions and the eventual outcome is not only disappointing for viewers but also indicates a broader issue within the genre where the allure of high concepts often overshadows the necessity for solid storytelling and character development.

In evaluating the 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Infinite," it is crucial to start by commending its technical achievements, particularly in the audio and visual departments. The 7.1 Atmos soundtrack is a highlight, showcasing an excellent dynamic range, crystal-clear dialogues, and a well-integrated music score. The attention to detail in the audio mix elevates the overall viewing experience with a surround sound that engages and envelops the audience. Visuals are not left behind, boasting impressive clarity and depth thanks to Dolby Vision, making every frame a testament to the potential of home cinema technology. Despite these technical accolades, the film itself does not live up to the hype.

"Infinite" presents a concoction of unrealized potential and misfired ambitions. While the premise holds promise, execution falls short, leading to a narrative that often feels hollow and laughable. Despite the commendable efforts of a talented cast and crew—led by a filmmaker with a proven track record—the movie struggles to find its footing, oscillating between cringe-worthy moments and cut-rate genre filmmaking. The consensus is clear: while "Infinite" might entice hardcore fans of the genre or Mark Wahlberg enthusiasts with its slick production and a smattering of engaging extras, it ultimately fails to deliver a memorable or meaningful cinematic experience.

Conclusively, while "Infinite" shines on a technical level—boasting remarkable sound and visual presentations that elevate it within the 4K UHD Blu-ray domain—the film's substance, or lack thereof, cannot be overshadowed. For viewers seeking a showcase of high-definition audiovisual capabilities, "Infinite" might warrant a rental. However, for those in pursuit of a fulfilling story that matches its technical prowess, it may be advisable to look elsewhere. The juxtaposition of outstanding technical merit with underwhelming narrative execution defines "Infinite's" home release as a missed opportunity in storytelling, albeit one with exemplary production values.