Babylon 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Babylon" by Paramount is nothing short of spectacular, offering a native 4K resolution that greatly enhances the viewing experience. The disc employs a 3840x2160/24p BT.2020 image with Dolby Vision and High Dynamic Range (HDR), encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec. The resulting image showcases a wide color gamut (WCG) that plunges the viewer into vividly reconstructed period settings. Details like the intricate designs of Margot Robbie's costumes and the nuanced textures of the film's diverse settings - from sun-drenched desert backdrops to opulent orgy scenes - are rendered with pinpoint accuracy and brilliance.

In terms of visual fidelity, the comparison between Blu-ray and the UHD release highlights significant improvements in resolution and color depth. The UHD's superior filmic texture is particularly evident in scenes with intricate details and varied lighting, such as the shadowy party scenes in the first act and the complex outdoor shots around the 40-minute mark. The UHD version offers more resolute textures, refined color grading, and an enhanced sense of stability, ensuring that fine details like facial hair and fabric definition stand out impressively. Furthermore, darker scenes benefit from better black level balance, which enhances shadow depth and contrast magnificently.

Cinematographer Linus Sandgren's work is brought to life through Paramount's pristine 2.39:1 HEVC 4K image, which maintains a consistent visual allure, particularly in its moody second half. From the vibrant reds of spilled blood to the subtler earthy tones of outdoor scenes, the UHD presentation captures every hue with remarkable accuracy and brilliance, demonstrating a superior color grading that outshines its Blu-ray counterpart. Overall, the UHD release not only amplifies the film’s decadent visual tapestry but does so with a technological finesse that marks it as a must-have for any serious collector.

Babylon's 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray pushes the boundaries of home audio with a truly immersive Dolby Atmos track. This meticulously crafted soundscape draws listeners into the frenetic atmosphere of early Hollywood, capturing every nuance of the raucous settings. Vocal clarity is consistently high, with dialogue predominantly anchored in the frontal array, ensuring it remains clear amidst the chaos. Sound effects, from the bustling crowds to the grind of early car engines and the unrestrained revelry of wild parties, add a layer of authenticity and vivacity to each scene. The sound design is far from subdued; it boldly mirrors the audacious spirit of the film, offering a dynamic and chaotic auditory experience.

The crowning achievement of this Atmos track is undoubtedly the musical score. Propulsive and percussive, the big band music and other elements maintain a thrilling intensity that grips listeners from the first frame. The LFE channel provides a throbbing undercurrent that underscores the score’s energetic pulse. The engineering balance is impeccable, maintaining an immersive quality without sacrificing definition or clarity. Each scene is punctuated with a perfect mix of ambient sounds, effect layers, and music, delivering a consistently engaging auditory experience throughout the film's duration. Those familiar with the filmmaker's previous efforts will recognize and appreciate the high standards upheld here.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Babylon" comes with an array of extras housed on a secondary Blu-ray disc, providing deeper insight into the film's production even if not an extensive collection. "A Panoramic Canvas Called Babylon" serves as the core feature, offering a comprehensive half-hour exploration of the film's portrayal of 1920s Hollywood, covering aspects such as filmmaking, costumes, technical details, and music. Additional features offer a glance into the intricacies of costume design in "The Costumes of Babylon," and a brief look at the film's score in "Scoring Babylon." Rounding off this package is a selection of deleted and extended scenes that were trimmed for pacing reasons but add value for devoted fans. This well-rounded suite enhances understanding and appreciation of the film's meticulous craftsmanship.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Panoramic Canvas Called Babylon: Overview of 1920s Hollywood and behind-the-scenes insights.
• The Costumes of Babylon: Examination of period costume design.
• Scoring Babylon: Brief look at the film's musical composition.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: A collection of deleted and extended scenes.

Damien Chazelle's "Babylon" is a sprawling and audacious homage to the early days of Hollywood, capturing the insanity and exuberance of the 1920s film industry. The film's narrative is centered around an ensemble of flamboyant characters: Silent Film Superstar Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt), aspiring Starlet Nellie LaRoy (Margot Robbie), Mexican immigrant Manny Torres (Diego Calva), Jazz Trumpeter Sidney Palmer (Jovan Adepo), and Powerhouse Performer Lady Fay Zhu (Li Jun Li). Each character navigates the treacherous transition from silent films to talkies, an era illustrating both the limitless opportunities and profound pitfalls of Hollywood.

The film stands out for its extreme and unflinching depiction of excess. In every frame, Babylon parallels Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street" with its indulgent portrayal of hedonism, presenting lush visuals of sexual frenzy, debauched parties, and chaotic filmmaking sets. The opening sequence showcases these elements brashly, featuring highly provocative scenes that set a controversial tone for the rest of the movie. Chazelle meticulously reconstructs the period’s chaotic energy with long takes, rapid editing, and an ecstatic score, maintaining a breakneck pace that mirrors the industry's frenzy.

Despite its ambitious scale and relentless energy, "Babylon" struggles under its own weight. While some scenes adeptly capture the frantic transition to sound films—highlighted by a sequence of stalled filming due to new sound recording complexities—others falter, tangentially weaving through subplots that detract from the central narrative. Though performances are solid across the board, standing out are Robbie’s uninhibited tour-de-force as LaRoy and Pitt’s poignant portrayal of a fading star grappling with obsolescence. Although flawed in structure and overly long, "Babylon" nonetheless leaves an indelible mark by powerfully immersing viewers in the visceral highs and soul-crushing lows of early Hollywood's golden yet treacherous landscape.

Damien Chazelle's "Babylon" offers an exuberant and visceral exploration of early Hollywood excess, blending wild narrative elements with stunning technical prowess. The film's 4K UHD Blu-ray release is a technical triumph, featuring outstanding native 4K presentation enhanced by Dolby Vision HDR. This ensures striking visual fidelity and vibrant color accuracy. The accompanying Dolby Atmos track provides an immersive auditory experience, complementing the film's bustling and chaotic scenes with precise sound detail and expansive dynamic range.

The narrative, while coherent in its linear progression, sometimes falters in overarching purpose, delving into extremes of indulgence. Nevertheless, the powerful performances and compelling character arcs provide enough substance to engage viewers who appreciate Chazelle’s stylistic bravado. The UHD release also includes an entire bonus disc packed with supplements, adding substantial value for fans and cinephiles interested in behind-the-scenes content. These extras, although divided due to feature film spacing rather than extensive material length, enhance the overall package.

Conclusion

"Babylon's" exercise in excess will likely prove to be an endurance test for some viewers, while others will embrace the wild and unabashed ride. It's undoubtedly quite the experience. Paramount’s 4K disc stands out with its exceptional native 4K and Dolby Vision HDR visuals, alongside a stunning Atmos track that deepens the immersion. The addition of bonus content rounds out the package, making it a highly recommended release for fans of the film looking for a comprehensive rewatch experience. Babylon is available to Download & Keep now and will be released on DVD, Blu-ray™, & 4K UHD from April 3rd.