Pitch Perfect 3 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Pitch Perfect 3," despite originating from a 2.8K source and being upscaled from a 2K digital intermediate, demonstrates a clear and appreciable improvement over its 1080p counterpart. The increase in resolution, sharpening from HEVC / H.265 encoding, ensures image crispness and detail that leap forward, making textures in facial features and clothing strikingly more pronounced. Such enhancements render the standard Blu-ray version comparatively flat and less dynamic, highlighting the effectiveness of the upscale in contributing to visual depth and clarity across the board. This rendition uses an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and is layered on a BD-66, optimizing the visual experience with a high level of detail and color reproduction that truly stands out.

Color representation, enhanced by HDR application, emerges as the standout feature of this Ultra HD version, showcasing a palette that is both more saturated and nuanced than what is seen on Blu-ray. This increase in color vitality is particularly evident in scenes with vibrant backdrops, where the hues of blue umbrellas or neon lighting significantly pop, emphasizing the disc's showcase of HDR's capabilities in improving both brilliance and contrast. The blacks are described as deep and uncompromised, adding to the visual depth without losing texture or causing crush. Moreover, skin tones are rendered with greater accuracy and subtlety, presenting a diversity in shades that contributes to the overall naturalism and immersion of the viewing experience.

The spatial dimensionality of the image also benefits from this treatment, offering a depth that lends a quasi-three-dimensional quality to various scenes, complemented by smooth motion and an absence of blurring. The vividness of details extends to the presentation's nighttime sequences, where lighting effects dazzle against darker backgrounds, highlighting HDR's effectiveness in enhancing both luminance and contrast ratios. In conclusion, "Pitch Perfect 3" on 4K UHD Blu-ray impresses with its textural richness and color depth, marking a significant upgrade for enthusiasts seeking the prime manifestation of visual elements, particularly lauded for an upscale presentation.

The DTS:X surround mix of "Pitch Perfect 3" on its 4K UHD Blu Ray presentation showcases a moderately active audio landscape, meticulously balancing its atmospheric and panning fills to craft an immersive auditory experience. This mix primarily shines during the film's musical numbers, where its adept handling of acoustics, point-to-point imaging, and soundstage expansion stands out. Though the overhead audio object use is sparing, the selective implementation enhances key moments significantly, ensuring an engaging experience that complements the source material remarkably. The mix's ability to deliver crisp, clear, and detailed audio across various scenes—ranging from quiet, nuanced moments to dynamic, bass-intensive sequences—demonstrates a balanced and layered approach that utilizes the full spectrum of DTS:X capabilities.

Universal's commitment to providing an optimal audio experience across both the 4K UHD and Blu Ray formats deserves praise, with the DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack offering a richly detailed and precisely located soundstage. The film's opening sequence immediately sets a high standard with its sonically rich a cappella rendition of Universal’s theme, which is followed by numerous musical performances that boast seamless stage location and fluid movement, ensuring a fully immersive listening experience. The soundtrack excels in presenting detailed vocal and instrumental clarity, especially during the series' finale, which stands as a highlight of total auditory immersion. The low-frequency extension provides a complementary backdrop without overwhelming, contributing to an exceptionally well-rounded sonic experience.

Moreover, the soundtrack demonstrates versatility by effectively handling a variety of sounds—from ambient environmental effects to the more robust low-frequency elements like bass and drums—creating a dynamic range that enriches every scene. The surround sound presentation activates all speakers to breathe life into each environment, with particular attention paid to creating an encompassing room experience through well-placed ambient sounds and precise dialogue reproduction. While vocals remain clear and intelligible throughout, there is a noted excellence in the singing sequences which are given priority in the mix, showcasing an intricate balance that distinguishes dialogue from the more resonant musical numbers, ensuring an audibly distinct and immersive viewing experience.

The "Pitch Perfect 3" 4K UHD Blu-ray packs a commendable collection of extras, providing fans a deeper dive into the making and essence of the film. Highlights include behind-the-scenes featurettes like "A Cappella Action" and "The Women of Pitch Perfect 3" which shed light on the film's action sequences and its empowerment of women, respectively. Additionally, extended and new musical performances offer more of the beloved soundtrack. With practical insights from director Trish Sie and producers through engaging audio commentaries, fans gain a comprehensive understanding of the filming process, character development, and musical choreography. This disc ensures an enriched viewing experience, going beyond merely watching the movie by immersing viewers into the heart of production and thematic significance.

Extras included in this disc:

• New Musical Performances: Additional music not seen in the film.
• Extended Musical Performances: Longer versions of musical numbers.
• Deleted Scene: Aubrey at Amy's Hotel Door.
• Gag Reel: Humorous outtakes from filming.
• Competition Crescendo: Behind the scenes of the riff-off scene.
• A Cappella Action: Breakdown of key action and music sequence.
• The Women of Pitch Perfect 3: Focus on female empowerment through the series.
• Don’t Mess with Rebel: Inside look into Rebel Wilson's stunt work.
• The Headliner: DJ Khaled: Insights into DJ Khaled's involvement in the film.
• The Final Note: John and Gail: Spotlight on the Talk-a-pella podcasters.
• Just Because He’s a Bad Guy…: Exploration of John Lithgow's character.
• The Final Performance: Behind-the-scenes of the series' final musical number.
• Hollywood of the South: Piece on Atlanta's role in film production.
• Official Music Video: “Freedom! ’90 x Cups”.
• Audio Commentary: With director Trish Sie and producers Paul Brooks & Max Handelman.

Pitch Perfect 3" caps off the a cappella trilogy with the Bellas now facing the reality of post-college life where their vocal talents don't exactly pave a yellow brick road to success. Their last hurrah comes via an opportunity to tour Europe for the USO, promising a blend of the franchise's signature humor and performances against a backdrop of personal and group challenges. The narrative, steeped in the tried-and-tested formula of the series, offers a mix of comedic and slightly more earnest moments, particularly highlighting Beca, Fat Amy, and Chloe's individual and collective growths. However, the plot line veers into outlandish territories, with comedic misfires and a heavy reliance on spectacle over substance, diluting what charm the original film carried through its simpler focus on competition and camaraderie.

Technically, the movie shines in its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation, delivering vibrant visuals and a dynamic sound mix that elevates its plethora of musical numbers. Despite the script's flaws, these performances are the pulse of "Pitch Perfect 3," ensuring it ends on an aesthetically high note even if the narrative feels like a rehashed afterthought. The final performance stands out not just as a visual feast but a sonic masterpiece, making it clear that while the franchise may have struggled to maintain its narrative charm, its musical heartbeat remains strong. This installment attempts to blend humor, drama, and action—though not always successfully—into an adventurous farewell tour, suggesting that while not every pitch was perfect, the series still hit some notable high notes in its culmination.

Pitch Perfect 3" rolls onto 4K UHD Blu-ray as the final note in the A Capella trilogy that began with much fervor but seems to conclude with mixed sentiments. Despite the critique on its narrative and comedy, which appears to meander from the harmony of its predecessors, this Ultra HD Combo Pack from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment shines in technical performance. With a resplendent 2160p video transfer complemented by HDR, and a reference-quality DTS:X Master Audio sound, the film delivers an aesthetic audiovisual experience. The Bellas’ last call might hit the right notes visually and sonically, but it seems to stretch for a dramatic and comedic crescendo that it can’t quite reach.

While the essence of "Pitch Perfect 3" doesn't stray far from its roots, providing fans with a mixture of heartfelt moments and the series' trademark musical showcases, the film arguably lacks the fresh spark of its debut. Nevertheless, Universal has packed this release with an array of extras, albeit some miss the mark in terms of depth and value, emphasizing quantity over quality. From the visually stunning final number to the engaging performances by the cast, there's no denying that this installment has its moments of joy and entertainment, finely tuned within its familiar formula.

In conclusion, "Pitch Perfect 3" in 4K UHD is a product of superior technical quality that elevates what is considered a lackluster finale by some. The film might not have hit every note correctly according to all critics, but for those looking to complete their collection, this release offers the best viewing experience available. Whether it's for the love of the franchise or the sheer appreciation of a well-mastered 4K presentation, this edition provides a fan-friendly package. However, considering the mixed reviews on content, potential buyers might want to wait for a sale to add this one to their shelves.