The Death of Superman 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The Death of Superman" delivers its 4K UHD presentation in a 2160p, HEVC/H.265-encoded transfer, showcased in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Despite the expectations for a significant leap over its Blu-ray counterpart, the 4K rendition offers a mixed bag of enhancements and shortcomings. On the positive side, the HDR implementation elevates the animation's color palette, rendering Superman's iconic red and blue attire, along with the Green Lantern's vibrant greens, with greater richness and depth. Backgrounds and nighttime scenes in Metropolis benefit from an added glow, enhancing the visual experience with more differentiated and bolder colors. The uptick in details is also noticeable; from the nuanced outlines of characters to the textured cracks in buildings and the distinct lettering on objects, the 4K version provides a clearer, more layered viewing experience.

However, it's important to note that these improvements do not revolutionize the viewing experience. The minimalist animation style of "The Death of Superman" means that there are inherent limitations to how much detail can be enhanced through increased resolution alone. Similarly, while HDR does refine the colors and adds a bit more texture to the overall image, it doesn't offer a radically different experience from what's seen in the standard Blu-ray edition. The grading doesn't revolutionize the palette but rather subtly enhances what was already there.

In terms of technical quality, the 4K UHD version stands out for its reduction of banding issues observed in the Blu-ray release, marking one of the few clear improvements in this higher resolution format. For those particularly sensitive to banding, this upgrade may justify the investment. Calibration details reveal a rigorous setup involving a Klein K-10A Colorimeter and SpectraCal CalMAN Software, ensuring an optimized viewing experience. Yet, for the average viewer, the debate remains whether these incremental improvements in video quality warrant the transition from Blu-ray to 4K UHD, given the minimal gain in detail and HDR enhancement.

The audio presentation of "The Death of Superman" on its 4K UHD Blu Ray release retains the previously reviewed DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, which continues to impress with its technical prowess tailored for an animated action spectacle. This lossless mix leverages the front speakers predominantly for dialogue and quieter scenes, ensuring clarity and easy comprehension of every line spoken. Yet, it’s when the narrative escalates into frenetic action sequences where the audio truly shines. The dynamic shifts to engage the surround channels and subwoofer vigorously, immersing viewers in the chaos with nuanced directional effects that exemplify the airborne battles between Superman and Doomsday, alongside meticulously crafted soundscapes depicting destruction and public panic on the streets below.

Moreover, the audio mix excels in delivering a substantial low-end presence that enhances explosions and the iconic sounds associated with Superman's heroics without overwhelming listeners or compromising speaker integrity. The design extends to settings like the Batcave, where sound effects are enriched with appropriate echoes and reverberations to evoke the size and acoustics of large spaces convincingly. The balance between action-packed moments and calm, ensuring that dialogue remains front and center when it matters, devoid of any auditory imperfections such as pops, cracks, hiss, or shrills. These elements combine to create an auditory experience that not only elevates the film’s visceral moments but also maintains an aural clarity essential for storytelling.

In essence, "The Death of Superman" sets a commendable standard for audio in animated features. Its DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack executes a precise balance between the intense demands of action sequences and the subtleties necessary for narrative depth. By doing so, it not only showcases the capabilities of the format but also significantly contributes to the overall viewing experience, reinforcing the emotional stakes and expansive scale of Superman's epic showdown with Doomsday.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Death of Superman" notably lacks extras on the actual 4K disc, with all supplemental content being housed on the included standard Blu-ray. Despite the sparse nature of these offerings, the available extras are engaging and include a blend of interviews and animations directly related to the Superman lore. Viewers are treated to insightful discussions on the epic showdown with Doomsday, the creative process behind the comics, and a glimpse into the sequel, "Reign of the Supermen," supplemented by select episodes from the 2006 "Legion of Superheroes" TV series. These features, alongside a few additional trailers, provide a satisfying albeit limited enhancement to the overall viewing experience, catering primarily to fans and complements the main feature with a deeper dive into its universe.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Death of Superman: The Brawl That Topped Them All: A detailed look into the comic book history and the iconic fight scene, featuring insights from DC creators and a martial arts expert.
• A Sneak Peek at DC Universe's Next Animated Movie: Reign of the Supermen: Previews of the sequel with discussions from the cast and crew, alongside early artwork.
• From the DC Comics Vault: Legion of Superheroes Season 2: Dark Victory Part 1 and 2: Two episodes from the mid-2000s CW animated series, adding depth to the universe.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Death of Superman" offers a controversial stance in the DC Animated Universe lineup. Positioned as the fourth release under the 4K enhancement, this film walks the same path as its predecessors like "Batman and Harley Quinn," and "Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay," where the effort to upscale these traditionally line-drawn animations into a 4K resolution with HDR treatment reveals minimal, if any, visible improvement to the overall visual experience. The transition to 4K appears to be more of a strategic move to align with current market trends rather than a genuine attempt to enhance the viewing pleasure. The lack of visible benefit from this upscale, especially in comparison to live-action counterparts such as the "Justice League," underscores an ongoing tendency within Warner and DC to chase technical advancements without substantive gains for the consumer.

The storyline of "The Death of Superman," however, remains impactful, closely mirroring the iconic narrative that shook the comic book world in 1993. This recent animated adaptation divides the tale into two parts, offering a faithful rendition of Superman's harrowing battle against Doomsday and his tragic demise that left the entire Earth mourning. Enhanced by the nostalgic feel of 2D animation reminiscent of late '80s and early '90s cartoons, and bolstered by stellar voice performances from a cast including Rainn Wilson and Rosario Dawson, this adaptation excels in emotional depth and character development. The portrayal of Superman’s relationships, particularly with Lois Lane and his parents, adds a poignant layer to the narrative, enriched by the authentic depiction of grief displayed by his fellow superheroes.

Despite the underwhelming advancements in visual technology as it transitions to 4K, "The Death of Superman" stands out for its narrative fidelity and emotional potency. While the disc’s technical specifications might not justify an upgrade for those seeking a significant leap in visual quality, the film itself serves as a commendable adaptation of one of the most storied events in comic book history. With its blend of nostalgic animation style and depth in character exploration, it remains one of the more memorable entries in the DCAU, even if the 4K UHD presentation doesn't quite meet expectations.

The release of "The Death of Superman" in 4K UHD Blu-ray has been met with a diversity of opinions, reflecting the balance between the medium's potential and its actual execution. While Warner Bros. seems to prioritize their 4K endeavors in the realm of the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), leaving much to be desired in the realm of live-action catalog updates, this specific release stands out for its fidelity to the source material and enhanced audio-visual presentation. The adaptative journey of this iconic 1993 comic book storyline has seen numerous iterations, but this version arguably presents the best adaptation yet, with a modest yet appreciable upgrade in video quality from its Blu-ray counterpart and a robust DTS-HD 5.1 audio mix that skillfully balances intense action sequences with quieter, more nuanced moments.

Despite the strengths in the main feature's presentation, the overall package is somewhat let down by its supplemental content. While the inclusion of a sneak peek at the sequel and two vintage DCU episodes does add value, it feels insufficient in comparison to what could have been an opportunity to deeply explore the rich history and impact of this storyline. Nonetheless, for enthusiasts and purists alike, the primary allure lies in the 4K video's slight improvement and the immersive sound mix, which together elevate the viewing experience beyond that of the standard Blu-ray.

In conclusion, "The Death of Superman" 4K UHD Blu-ray emerges as a commendable but imperfect release. It excels in delivering a superior adaptation of an iconic comic book story, with notable enhancements in video and audio quality that justify its addition to a collector's library. However, the lack of comprehensive extras leaves a gap that could have been an avenue for deeper engagement with the content. It represents a mixed opportunity where Warner Bros.'s selective focus on DCAU in 4K format shines but also perplexes, given the broader potential for remastering efforts across their catalogue. For those dedicated to experiencing the finest presentation of DCAU titles, this release is highly recommended, though it comes with the caveat of accepting its limitations outside the core viewing experience.