X-Men: Apocalypse 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 83
from 5 reviewers
Review Date:
X-Men: Apocalypse's underwhelming film, yet stellar 4K UHD release praised for visuals & audio.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Atmos
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 90
X-Men: Apocalypse on 4K UHD showcases stunning visuals, with superior detail, vibrant HDR-enhanced colors, and deep blacks, making the most of its Ultra HD presentation.
Audio: 90
X-Men: Apocalypse's Dolby Atmos track delivers immersive, bass-rich, and clear audio across various setups, earning high praise for enhancing the film's action and visuals.
Extra: 69
X-Men: Apocalypse's Ultra HD Blu-ray release offers rich extras but omits 3D; includes extended scenes, gag reel, comprehensive documentary, and insightful commentary, all highlighting the making and creative decisions behind the film.
Movie: 61
Despite high hopes and a stellar cast, X-Men: Apocalypse disappoints with a bloated plot and lackluster execution, contrasting sharply with its preceding successes.
Video: 90
X-Men: Apocalypse's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation, courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, is showcased with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer that maintains a 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Filmed digitally using a dual-rig Red Epic Dragon camera setup at 6K, the movie was finished with a 4K Digital Intermediate for the 2D presentation, ensuring that this UHD release leverages the original high-resolution source. The standard 1080p Blu-ray, while sharp and well-defined, is eclipsed by the 4K UHD disc’s phenomenal clarity and detail. From the intricate sand patterns in the Egyptian prologue to the nuanced wood grain textures, the increase in detail is unmistakable. Even subtle aspects like Apocalypse's complexion present an impressive array of tones, enhanced by HDR's wide color gamut. While some CGI elements may appear more artificial due to the heightened resolution and dynamic range, the overall depth and realism of the image are significantly improved.
The use of High Dynamic Range (HDR) alongside a wider color gamut (WCG) elevates the viewing experience dramatically. Bright elements such as explosions and reflections harness HDR to enhance specular highlights, while shadows retain deep, detailed blacks. Comparatively, colors are vibrant and pop off the screen, especially noticeable in character designs and during climactic battles. Apocalypse's varied hues under different lighting conditions stand out thanks to the proficient use of HDR, making every scene a visual feast. Importantly, the digital source remains pristine, free from banding or artifacts, ensuring a reference-quality picture.
Despite the lack of exacting standards and calibration tools for HDR, this release of X-Men: Apocalypse on 4K UHD demonstrates an exemplary use of available technology to produce a visually stunning experience. The superior resolution, combined with HDR and a broader color palette, showcases an impressive level of detail in costume textures, skin tones, and environmental elements, surpassing its Blu-ray counterpart. While some CGI sequences may not benefit equally from the higher definition—occasionally revealing a slightly more digitized quality—the overall impact is undeniably striking, offering a definitive home theater experience that may very well serve as a benchmark for both enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
Audio: 90
The audio presentation of "X-Men: Apocalypse" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is an outstanding example of the capabilities of the Dolby Atmos format. Utilizing a Denon AVR-X7200WA AV receiver paired with a 7.2.4 immersive audio setup, the Atmos soundtrack delivers an exceptional auditory experience. From the thunderous bass in scenes of global destruction to the precise overhead effects during the crumbling of a pyramid, the mix actively engages with the listener, providing a tangible level of 3D immersion. The soundstage is expansive, taking full advantage of the surround and overhead channels to steer effects around the room, ensuring a dynamic and enveloping soundscape. The dialogue remains crystal clear and well-centered, ensuring that vocal clarity is maintained amidst the cacophony of action sequences.
Moreover, the mix excels in capturing the nuances of smaller sound effects and background noises, contributing to a rich and detailed audio environment that complements the film's visual spectacle. The low frequency extension is notably robust, with the subwoofer action adding significant depth and rumble to action scenes – from the destruction wrought by Apocalypse to the more nuanced sound effects like Wolverine’s claws or Psylocke's energy blasts, everything feels full and impactful. The meticulously crafted mix finds a perfect balance, allowing vocals, effects, and music to coexist harmoniously.
The surround sound presentation is equally impressive, creating a fully immersive experience that encapsulates the listener. Sound moves fluidly across all channels, from distinct action-oriented effects to subtler environmental ambiances and musical cues. Even in moments of intense on-screen destruction, every sound has its place, traveling around the listener to achieve a realistic representation of the film's expansive set pieces. Whether it's the roar of jets overhead or the collapse of monumental structures, the audio mix of "X-Men: Apocalypse" on 4K UHD Blu-ray sets a high standard for superhero film soundtracks, delivering an auditory experience that is as engaging as it is technically proficient.
Extra: 69
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "X-Men: Apocalypse," while missing a native 3D version contrary to Sony's inclusive trends, impresses with a region-free status for both the Ultra HD and the included Full HD Blu-ray discs, underscoring Fox's occasional deviation from region-locking practices. Supplemental content is limited to the Full HD disc, notable for its exclusive allocation of extras. Among these, the extensive array of 12 detailed deleted and extended scenes, inclusive of director Bryan Singer's insightful introductions, stands out by offering a deeper dive into character development and narrative choices, notably lamenting some missed opportunities for richer storytelling. The inclusion of a comprehensive documentary, "X-Men: Apocalypse Unearthed," alongside more lighthearted fare such as a gag reel and wrap party video, enriches the behind-the-scenes perspective. The audio commentary with Singer and Kinberg remains a highlight across both discs, offering substantive exploration into the film's creative process.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg discuss the filmmaking process.
- Extended and Deleted Scenes: With optional introductions by Bryan Singer.
- Gag Reel: On-set antics mostly featuring Jennifer Lawrence.
- Wrap Party Video: A fun compilation from the film's wrap party.
- X-Men: Apocalypse Unearthed: A multipart documentary covering the film's production.
- Gallery: Includes Concept Art for Characters and Locations, plus Unit Photography.
- Trailers: Teaser and official trailers for the film.
Movie: 61
"X-Men: Apocalypse," the latest installment in the long-standing franchise, emerges with a narrative entrenched in both the grandiose and the familiar. With a setting in 1983, the film unleashes Apocalypse, the original mutant, from millennia of imprisonment. His quest to cleanse Earth and establish a new world order brings together a mix of old and new mutants, pitting them in an inevitable clash. Led by Raven and Professor X, a group of young X-Men must navigate their burgeoning abilities to thwart this seemingly invincible foe. Despite an ensemble of talented actors and a rich tapestry of characters, the film grapples with the weight of its own ambitions and the redundancy of its central conflict—mutants against an apocalyptic threat—a narrative thread that, despite its name, feels all too familiar.
Director Bryan Singer's fourth outing with the franchise is met with mixed emotions. While his pioneering spirit for superhero cinema is undeniable, "Apocalypse" stumbles, bogged down by overextended plotlines and a surplus of characters lacking in depth. The screenplay's overreliance on established dynamics, notably the Professor X and Magneto philosophical dichotomy, comes across as tired rather than invigorated. The visual spectacle of the film, bolstered by the 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation, underscores the action sequences and mutant powers with stunning clarity, yet it's mired by a narrative congested with underutilized new mutants and an antagonist whose threatening presence is more tell than show. The film's attempt to pivot towards newer characters is evident but feels inadequately explored, leaving much of their potential untapped.
Therein lies the paradox of "X-Men: Apocalypse": a visually enthralling chapter that struggles to find a fresh voice among the echoes of its predecessors. Despite standout moments—Quicksilver's screen time remains a delight and Fassbender's Magneto imbues depth where possible—the film's insistence on revisiting worn terrains rather than charting unexplored ones signifies a series at a crossroads. As it stands, "Apocalypse" offers enough to satisfy hardcore fans and those drawn to its action-packed sequences but ultimately serves as a reminder that for the X-Men saga to evolve, a new narrative direction is imperative. The film is not without its merits but embodies the challenge of pushing a venerable franchise into new realms, emphasizing the need for rejuvenation and perhaps, a daring leap into uncharted narratives.
Total: 83
"X-Men: Apocalypse," despite its high anticipation, emerged as a notable disappointment compared to its predecessor, "Days of Future Past." Critics and viewers alike have pinpointed the screenplay's lack of creativity and the underutilization of a talented cast, including Jennifer Lawrence and Oscar Isaac, as primary downfalls. The consensus is clear: while the movie attempts to juggle numerous storylines and characters, resulting in some visually striking action sequences, it falls short in emotional engagement and narrative coherence. This has led many to express hope for a resurgence in quality with subsequent films such as "Deadpool 2" and "Logan."
Despite the film's narrative shortcomings, the Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "X-Men: Apocalypse" receives unanimous praise for its technical merits. The 4K resolution combined with WCG, HDR, and 10-bit video offers an exemplary viewing experience characterized by pristine image quality, vibrant colors, and a broad dynamic range. Likewise, the Dolby Atmos soundtrack is lauded for its immersive quality, contributing to a reference-quality audiovisual experience. The package is further complemented by an array of insightful extras provided on the Full HD Blu-ray, despite their inability to justify the film's creative decisions.
In conclusion, "X-Men: Apocalypse" on Ultra HD Blu-ray stands as a paradox; it showcases an exceptional technical presentation that sets the benchmark for home entertainment experiences, yet it is tethered to a film that fails to meet expectations. For aficionados of superior picture and sound quality seeking a demo disc to showcase their home theater systems, this release is highly recommended. However, the decision to acquire this edition ultimately depends on one's willingness to revisit the film itself. While the Ultra HD Blu-ray elevates "X-Men: Apocalypse" to its best possible version, it serves as a reminder of what could have been had the film's narrative and creativity matched its technical prowess.
avforums review by Steve WithersRead review here
Video: 100
Unlike the film, there's nothing mediocre about the picture on this Ultra HD Blu-ray The use of HDR is also superb on this Ultra HD Blu-ray and the grade takes full advantage of the increased dynamic range...
Audio: 100
This is a very active and exciting object-based mix, that makes full use of the surround and overhead channels....
Extras: 70
Gag Reel (HD, 08:20) – The usual mistakes and mucking about on set, most of which seems to involve Jennifer Lawrence, who is clearly delighted to be leaving all this nonsense behind her....
Movie: 60
There were such high hopes for Apocalypse, which makes the ultimate failure of the film harder to bear and does raise the question of where the franchise can go next....
Total: 70
The included region-free Full HD Blu-ray has an excellent selection of extras that give a fascinating insight into how the film was made, even they don't quite explain what went wrong....
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 100
HDR has added some additional nuances to what is often a fairly heavily color graded enterprise, and elements like Apocalypse's face have an interesting gradation of tones that isn't always quite as noticeable...
Audio: 100
This 4K UHD ups the sonic ante by offering a Dolby Atmos track that offers all of the wonderful immersion and low end that I described in our X-Men: Apocalypse Blu-ray review, while adding even more surround...
Extras: 100
The 1080p Blu-ray disc included in this package has all of the supplements detailed in our X-Men:...
Movie: 70
The X-Men saga (or perhaps more appropriately, sagas) continues with X-Men: Apocalypse, another FX kaleidoscope that offers a sequel of sorts to X-Men: Days of Future Past ....
Total: 30
In any other franchise, X-Men: Apocalypse might have been better appreciated for juggling so many storylines and characters, but the irony is that Singer set such an incredibly high bar for himself with...
High-Def Digest review by Bryan KlugerRead review here
Video: 100
Some of the heavier CG sequences look a bit fake in this 4K UHD presentation, but that's expected, since the video quality and resolution are at an all-time high here....
Audio: 100
With the Dolby Atmos setup, you get even more from the low and high ends, not to mention the overhead speakers to fully immerse you in in this apocalyptic scenario....
Extras: 30
Here is a commentary track with director Bryan Singer and writer-producer Simon Kinberg as they both discuss making the film and furthering the story and characters in this universe....
Movie: 80
One of the things that is unfortunate so far with a lot of the ‘X-Men‘ films is that it always seems to be the same type of scenario, where a mutant is trying to kill off everyone and everything, with...
Total: 80
Extras are very good, however, the audio commentary is only on the 4K Disc where the rest are on the standard Blu-ray Disc....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 100
With that in mind, my approach to reviewing Ultra HD Blu-ray will be to assess the elements observed which I find to generate the most significant visual impact when compared to standard high definition...
Audio: 96
There is a brief battle followed by an entombment that features the sounds of swirling objects, small explosions, and falling debris that utilizes the entire soundstage, making for a great introduction...
Extras: 80
Disc 1: X-Men: Apocalypse Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc 2: X-Men: Apocalypse Blu-ray Audio Commentary with Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg (HD) 12 Deleted/Extended Scenes w/optional Introductions by Bryan Singer...
Movie: 60
Enraged that his kind are no longer treated as gods, Apocalypse assembles a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto, to destroy humankind and create a new world order, over which he...
Total: 84
Speaking of entertaining its presentation in this Ultra HD Blu-ray Combo Pack from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment features superlative Ultra HD video, top notch high definition audio/video quality,...
Why So Blu? review by Brandon PetersRead review here
Video: 100
All in all, its an impressive 2D image that gives you a lot of flavor and taste of what this thing can be in 3D without being in 3D.Black Levels: Blacks are deep, rich and enhance the film....
Audio: 100
This film features destruction, action, characters and the like coming from all directions and this mix finds homes for all the sounds an allows them to travel a good 360 degrees around to make their full...
Extras: 70
Most disheartening is a mall sequence set to “The Safety Dance” that would have been a showstopper in the movie, really embracing the time period, full of a fun, youthful vibe and totally elevating the...
Movie: 40
The first hour and five minutes of the film takes forever to get through with an absurd amount of introduction scenes, catching up scenes and story threads that are so obvious in direction that they could...
Total: 70
The extras for the film are quite informative, as it contains some of the most appealing deleted scenes I’ve seen on a release in years....
Director: Bryan Singer
Actors: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence
PlotIn 1983, the world is introduced to the first and most powerful mutant, En Sabah Nur, also known as Apocalypse, who awakens after thousands of years and is disillusioned with the world he finds. Determined to cleanse mankind and create a new world order with himself as its ruler, he recruits four followers, or "Horsemen," beginning with Cairo pickpocket Ororo Munroe, who can control weather. To complete his cadre, he enhances the powers of mutants, including magnifying the rage and grief of Erik Lehnsherr, harboring immense pain from personal loss.
Charles Xavier continues to lead his School for Gifted Youngsters and foster a haven for mutants. His old friend and now adversary, Magneto, has gone into hiding, attempting to live a normal life but is thrust back into the conflict after a personal tragedy. Mystique, independently working to rescue and safeguard mutants, finds young Nightcrawler and seeks to protect him from the growing conflict. With Apocalypse gaining power and assembling his Horsemen, including Psylocke, who can manifest weapons with her mind, and Angel, whose wings can carry him on lethal flights, the stage is set for a catastrophic confrontation. Xavier and his X-Men must confront an ancient mutant threat that endangers not just mutant kind, but the entire human race, as seen through the widening chasm between humans and mutants and the ominous threat to Xavier's dream of coexistence.
Writers: Simon Kinberg, Bryan Singer, Michael Dougherty
Release Date: 27 May 2016
Runtime: 144 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English, Polish, German, Arabic, Egyptian (Ancient)