Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is a visual showcase, capturing the film's rich, vibrant color palette with exceptional fidelity. Drawn from an 8K source and rendered from a 4K Digital Intermediate, the imagery displayed on this disc is notably sharp, boasting an impressive level of detail. Displayed in a full-screen 1.78:1 aspect ratio throughout, the disc leverages HDR10 and Dolby Vision technologies to deliver deep, inky blacks and stunning bright highlights without crushing detail in the darker scenes. The underwater sequences particularly shine, displaying bioluminescent hues in the Atlantean settings with dazzling brilliance that truly shows off the power of HDR.

The attention to detail in this transfer is superb. From the minute textures on costumes and underwater constructs to the finely rendered close-ups of both characters and CGI creatures, every element is captured with clarity. The levels of sharpness and definition provided by the HEVC/H.265 encode are remarkable, even amidst rapid action sequences and complex CGI set pieces. However, there are some minor issues like black crush and occasional ringing around characters during underwater shots. Despite these slight drawbacks, the overall video quality remains a stellar demonstration of what 4K UHD technology can achieve.

Color reproduction is consistent and impactful without appearing over-saturated. Aquaman's gold armor, green pants, and other bioluminescent elements in particular stand out with vivid hues that are both vibrant and true to the film’s artistic vision. The Dolby Vision pass enhances this further by delivering intense specular highlights and well-balanced contrast, making each frame pop. Flesh tones maintain a natural appearance, although some intentional artistic choices give them a slightly baked look to match the film's comic book aesthetic. Overall, "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" on 4K UHD Blu-ray provides a sumptuous visual experience that is both immersive and engaging, ideal for showcasing high-end home theater setups.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray of "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is a tour-de-force, leveraging the full capabilities of modern home theater systems. Utilizing a robust Dolby Atmos track, the mix is designed to immerse viewers in an elaborate and finely tuned soundscape. The underwater dialogue remains strikingly crisp, and the surround channels are frequently active, particularly during the film's dynamic action sequences. The height channels are prominently featured in weather-related scenes and underwater events, sweeping listeners into the aquatic atmosphere of Arthur Curry’s world. From the delicate low-frequency drop around the 15-minute mark to the consistent LFE presence throughout the film, the audio mix is adept at maintaining a notable sonic depth, ensuring an engaging auditory experience.

While it excels with spatial effects like flowing water and ice crackling, it does occasionally lean towards a front-heavy presentation, which may feel less immersive in certain high-action sequences. Despite this, the use of overheads and rears is commendable; elements such as water bubbles and characters’ movements frequently engage every channel with precise overhead support. The bass is powerful but slightly moderated compared to its predecessor; however, it remains more than sufficient to showcase your system's capabilities. Notable scenes, such as a storm at the film's opening and Dr. Shin's fall into an ice crevice, highlight the track's dynamic range and depth, making it a compelling auditory spectacle.

The dialogue is consistently clear and distinguishable, even amidst the most chaotic scenes. The inclusion of multiple soundtrack options in Dolby Digital 5.1 (English, French, Spanish) alongside subtitles broadens accessibility. While the near-reference 7.1 lossless audio track will satisfy many listeners, some might find the hemispherical sound field lacking during key segments. Nevertheless, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” delivers an impressive audio experience that complements its fantastical visuals and is sure to captivate the audience.

The Extras section of the "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" 4K UHD Blu-ray disc offers a comprehensive and engaging collection of special features that delve into the making of the film. These featurettes explore various aspects of production through behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with cast and crew, and detailed discussions on the film’s sequences, characters, and visual effects. Noteworthy highlights include insights into the challenges of topping the first film, creating fantastical new environments both above and below the sea, and enhancing Black Manta's role as a super-villain. Overall, the extras provide valuable context and enrich the viewing experience for fans.

Extras included in this disc:

• Finding the Lost Kingdom: Go behind the scenes as director James Wan reveals how he and the cast and crew pulled off their biggest endeavor yet, an epic sequel to the largest grossing film in the history of DC.

• Aquaman: Worlds Above and Below: When the filmmakers set out to create a sequel that eclipsed the original in scale and scope, they knew they would have to send Arthur and the rest of the cast to all kinds of new wild and wonderful worlds both above and below the sea.

• It's a Manta World: Black Manta is more powerful than ever now that he has discovered the Lost Kingdom of Necrus and taken possession of the Black Trident. From inspiration to execution, filmmakers reveal how they leveled Black Manta up to the realm of supervillains.

• Necrus, The Lost Black City: Ages ago the great battle for the earth took place here, in this legendary lost Atlantean city. Discover how the filmmakers created the Black City from its surface city concept and its inhabitants: Undead Necrusians (Zombies), to its execution.

• Escape from the Deserter World: From idea to execution, explore how the filmmakers created this barren desert landscape and the Deserter Prison, how its creatures and inhabitants were brought to life, and how they planned and executed the daring Orm breakout sequence.

• Brawling at Kingfish's Lair: The Citadel is the last frontier of the ocean, a deep trench filled with sunken old ships, stacked high like a rusty city. From concept to completion, discover Kingfish's Lair, a bar within, where the worst of the worst hang out.

• Oh TOPO!: The Tactical Observation and Pursuit Operative Octopus is a living legend and all-time fan favorite. Director James Wan and the filmmakers discuss the decision behind bringing TOPO back to the sequel and its promotion to Arthur's on-screen sidekick.

"Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" is a film that encapsulates both the highs and lows of its predecessor, delivering a mixed bag of extravagant visuals, familiar plot beats, and uneven script execution. Directed by James Wan, the sequel attempts to expand on the original's formula by amplifying the bombastic set pieces and extending the realm of Atlantis. Jason Momoa returns as the titular hero, but his performance leans more heavily into comedic bravado, often reminiscent of his outlandish antics in "Fast X."

The narrative centers on Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), who returns with a vengeance wielding the powerful Black Trident—a weapon imbued with ancient malevolence. To thwart this new threat, Aquaman forms a reluctant alliance with his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), whose character arc introduces an engaging dynamic to the otherwise straightforward plot. While the villain's quest for retribution adds stakes, it unfortunately lacks depth, and Manta's transformation into a more formidable adversary feels underdeveloped. The film’s OTT absurdity, however, does occasionally work to its advantage, especially when it embraces its comic book roots without apology.

Despite its ambition, "Aquaman 2" suffers from a lack of tonal consistency and an overabundance of CGI-laden battles that blur into sensory overload. Amber Heard's Mera is notably sidelined, appearing for less than ten minutes, which affects the film’s emotional balance. Randall Park reprises his role as Dr. Shin, adding little more than standard comic relief. However, notable highlights include visually stunning underwater environments and a series of adventurous set pieces that inject some much-needed excitement.

Clocking in at just over two hours, the film tends to drag in places, bogged down by redundant exposition and extraneous subplots. The script, penned by four writers including James Wan and Jason Momoa, vacillates between moments of genuine amusement and wearying predictability. While "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom" delivers on spectacle and family themes, it ultimately falls short of revitalizing a floundering franchise.

James Wan's Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom serves as a direct follow-up to the wildly popular first film, yet it struggles to capture the same sense of humor and swashbuckling adventure that made its predecessor a success. Starring Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the film leans heavily into technical prowess but falters in narrative coherence. The 4K UHD Blu-ray release from Warner Bros. features remarkable Dolby Vision HDR video quality and a decent Dolby Atmos soundtrack, although the latter could have benefitted from greater attention to detail. Despite its overall bombast and occasional moments of comic relief, the movie doesn't elevate the DCEU as hoped.

Technically, the 4K disc shines with its immersive visuals rendered in a 1.85:1 HEVC aspect ratio. The audio options include English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core), as well as French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks, ensuring a robust soundstage for those equipped with suitable home theater setups. Subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish are also included. While the supplementary content is adequate, it isn't groundbreaking enough to entice collectors or newcomers to make an outright purchase without prior familiarity with the film.

Is Aquaman 2 a good movie? Nah, but it’s not a horrible movie either. It’s a decent attempt at a comic book movie that is still light years better than pretty much anything that Marvel has put out in the last four years, despite being literally the last hurrah for the DCEU. As a huge DC fan, I was disappointed with how much worse it was than the first film but also surprised that it wasn’t worse than it is. The DCEU had its good points and will be missed, but Aquaman 2 sadly doesn’t live up to how much fun I had back in 2018 when its predecessor came out. The 4K UHD, which still doesn’t contain the Blu-ray—come on WB, combo packs are highly desired for new releases—is a good-looking film with a solid enough audio mix but is a bit rocky and slightly problematic on the film front. Worth a fun rental for comic book fans at the very least.