Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" by 20th Century Studios and Disney / Buena Vista is a technical marvel, captured using Arri Alexa LF, Mini LF, and Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro cameras. Although it only includes HDR10 rather than Dolby Vision HDR seen in premium theatrical releases, the visual quality maintains impressive integrity. The AVC encoded 1080p transfer presents in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, featuring incredibly fine detail, allowing viewers to observe individual leaves on trees and hair strands on the CGI apes. The use of HDR ensures pristine black levels and a vibrant, lustrous palette, enhancing minimally lit scenes and adding depth to night settings. Bitrates in the mid-to-upper 60mbps range contribute to the clarity and sharpness, offering a superior experience compared to Disney+ streaming.

Scenes set in various environments, from forest expanses to firelit moments, demonstrate the disc's precision. The forest scenes, in particular, exhibit an Avatar-esque ambience, providing a stunning visual power with an impeccably rendered natural color spectrum. However, some minor aliasing is noted on the ape’s fur, suggesting a near-perfect upscale from a potential 2K source. The HDR pass is remarkable, adding intense brightness to elements such as fire and sunlight while maintaining immaculate black levels during darker scenes. While the HDR10 format might lack the nuanced lighting schemes of Dolby Vision, the overall video presentation remains highly impressive.

This release utilizes a BD-66 dual-layer disc without the theatrical cut on Blu-ray and allocates virtually all available space to the film, ensuring robust image quality without noticeable compression artifacts. The digital grain is subtly handled, ensuring the disc does not suffer from blocky black levels or shadows seen in streaming versions. The high bitrate and storage capacity alleviate concerns about data compression, delivering a spectacular viewing experience with excellent depth, vibrant colors, and lifelike textures for both human and CGI characters.

The Dolby Atmos audio track for "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" elevates the film's immersive experience, utilizing every aspect of the soundstage effectively. The track combines the best features of the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track on the 1080p disc with additional enhancements that provide more depth and engagement. Environments like forests and seaside settings come alive with ambient noises buzzing through all surround channels. The height channels offer striking overhead activity, exemplified by dynamic falcon sounds and rustling leaves. John Paesano's elegiac, string-drenched score is spaciously presented, enhancing the atmosphere without overpowering dialogue.

The mix is a masterclass in balancing natural ambiance and intense action sequences. Ocean waves crashing and breaking overhead are rendered with remarkable clarity, while low-end support provides room-shaking intensity in pivotal moments. The audio design employs flawless imaging and exceptional range, making even minor environmental sounds palpable. For instance, Proximus’ escalating anger during an attack is conveyed through progressively potent board-smashing sounds, highlighting the narrative power of a well-crafted audio track.

Dialog tracks are consistently clear and front-centered, ensuring every word is understandable amidst the action. The heights deliver subtle yet immersive effects, making scenes like eagles soaring above the apes particularly compelling. The mix remains balanced without the need for volume adjustments, with precise channel activity across sides and rears, seamlessly integrating overhead elements. Although some sequences could benefit from more pronounced subwoofer rumble, the LFE is potent during major action scenes, providing ample bass support that brings the mix to life. Overall, the Dolby Atmos track for "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" sets a high benchmark for immersive audio experiences in home entertainment.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" offers a unique and engaging set of extras, primarily hosted on the included Blu-ray disc. Notably, "Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut" stands out as a remarkable feature, presenting a split-screen comparison of the final film against various stages of production elements such as storyboards, pre-viz VFX, and live-action mo-cap footage, complemented by a DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio track and insightful commentary from Wes Ball, Dan Zimmerman, and Erik Winquist. Additionally, the disc includes an EPK-style making-of documentary and a selection of extended and deleted scenes, also featuring optional commentary by Wes Ball.

Extras included in this disc:

• Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut: Split-screen comparison with concept art, pre-viz VFX, and live-action mo-cap footage.
• Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut Audio Commentary: Commentary with Wes Ball, Dan Zimmerman, and Erik Winquist.
• Inside the Forbidden Zone: Making Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: Behind-the-scenes documentary on production.
• Deleted/Extended Scenes with Optional Commentary: Fourteen deleted or extended scenes featuring optional director commentary.

Wes Ball's "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" marks a compelling addition to the storied franchise, deftly navigating the challenging legacy set by previous entries. Set generations post-Caesar’s reign, the film sees apes as the dominant species, living in distinct clans with diverse cultures and approaches to governance. Noa (Owen Teague), the film's protagonist, embarks on a perilous journey against Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), a ruthless leader intent on imposing his tyrannical rule through force and manipulation. Their conflict drives much of the narrative tension, layered by the intelligent screenplay that explores themes of power, loyalty, and unity. The character dynamics, especially between Noa and the intellectual orangutan Raka, enrich the story further.

Technically, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" shines with its remarkable visual effects from WETA, which deliver some of the most seamless CGI to date. The performance captures used for the apes provide an extraordinary depth of emotion and realism, making their journey engaging and convincing. Scenes involving different ape clans are highlights, showcasing impressive world-building that enhances the narrative's complexity. While the reintroduction of human characters—most notably Mae (Freya Allan) and Trevathan (William H. Macy)—provide interesting subplots, their roles occasionally feel superfluous. Nevertheless, Mae’s nuanced character adds an intriguing layer to the ape-human dynamic.

Ultimately, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" excels by intelligently blending action with thought-provoking themes. Director Wes Ball captures a franchise that not only entertains but also provokes reflection on societal structures and leadership. The film may not resolve all its plot threads conclusively, setting the stage for future installments, but it maintains a high standard established by its predecessors in the reboot series. This film reaffirms that "Planet of the Apes" continues to be a fertile ground for storytelling, promising well-crafted narratives fueled by emotional depth and technical brilliance.

Review of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 4K UHD Blu-ray

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes brings a new chapter to the celebrated franchise, maintaining the right balance between fresh storytelling and familiar elements. While it may have been challenging to follow the impressive War for the Planet of the Apes, director Wes Ball introduces captivating characters and plot points that keep viewers engaged. Although there are minor missteps with some human character arcs, Noa’s adventure offers a compelling narrative. The film’s visual and auditory elements shine in this 4K UHD release, providing a spectacular viewing experience aided by HDR10 transfer and Dolby Atmos audio.

Technically, Kingdom reigns supreme on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, featuring a vibrant HDR10 transfer that enhances the lush and immersive visuals. The audio track is equally accomplished, with Dolby Atmos bringing depth and clarity that elevates every moment—whether it's dialogue or action sequences. Though the inclusion of more BD-100 discs and Dolby Vision would’ve been a welcome addition, the current package already surpasses streaming alternatives. The disc also includes a fascinating Raw Cut version, offering an intriguing insight into the editing process by presenting the final cut alongside unfinished scenes. This unique feature makes it a must-watch for fans and cinephiles alike.

You might be able to sense just a bit of lethargy or alternatively desperation to keep this franchise alive, but Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes succeeds more often than not in my estimation. The film is both visually and aurally glorious, and there are some really superb characters here helping to keep interest. Technical merits are first rate, and the supplements very enjoyable. Recommended.