World War Z 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 62
from 2 reviewers
Review Date:
World War Z's 4K UHD release offers enhanced visuals with Dolby Vision HDR, but disappoints by omitting the superior Unrated Cut, though solid audio remains.
Disc Release Date
Video: 80
"World War Z's 4K UHD Blu-ray with Dolby Vision HDR offers appreciable improvements in detail clarity, nuanced black levels, and enhanced CGI integration, despite retaining some soft scenes and lacking the preferred Unrated Cut."
Audio: 82
The 7.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio mix for 'World War Z' delivers an active, dynamic range that captures bombastic elements with precision. While an Atmos upgrade might enhance it, the current mix still excels with involving surround activity, impactful action scenes, and a moody Marco Beltrami score.
Extra: 39
The extras on the 'World War Z' UHD Blu-ray provide modest value, with a four-part production mini-documentary being the highlight. Although it often rehashes the plot, it eventually delves into the execution of key sequences, offering 36 minutes of insights in 'WWZ: Production' and additional short features such as 'Origins' and 'Looking to Science.'
Movie: 49
World War Z's 4K UHD Blu-ray offers an intense visual upgrade, particularly with the PG-13 version on BD-66 and a superior Unrated Cut on BD-50. Despite its brisk opening and dynamic action sequences, the film's narrative struggles with pacing and depth, reflecting significant late-stage rewrites.
Video: 80
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "World War Z" from Paramount showcases a respectable upgrade in video quality. The film, which was originally shot on a mix of 35mm and digital formats, benefits significantly from the added resolution and Dolby Vision HDR grading. While it is not clear whether the new 4K DI was conformed or simply upscaled from a 2K DI, the result is a substantial improvement in detail clarity compared to the previous Blu-ray release. Despite the occasional soft shots—likely remnants of quick reshoots—the overall image quality now exhibits a higher degree of sharpness and visual heft. Even CGI sequences, which previously appeared weightless, now blend more seamlessly into scenes, aided by a consistently high bitrate.
The Dolby Vision HDR grading has been particularly effective in enhancing black levels, shadows, and color depth. Low-light scenes, which are crucial for sustaining the film's eerie atmosphere, benefit immensely from deeper blacks and nuanced shadow detail, contributing to a heightened sense of depth. The visual presentation strikes a balance with well-graded highlights in whites and spectral highlights, ensuring they stand out when necessary. The film's color palette remains largely muted with an olive drab tone, yet moments of primary color pop vividly, alongside well-balanced, natural skin tones for the live-action cast. Overall, while not a transformative upgrade, the enhancements are notable and make this 4K release a substantial visual step up from its predecessors.
Audio: 82
The audio presentation of the "World War Z" 4K UHD Blu-Ray is anchored by its formidable 7.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio surround mix, effectively bringing the film's horror and action elements to life. This well-crafted sound design features an extended dynamic range, perfectly rendering explosive sequences with remarkable clarity. The action scenes, in particular, are a highlight, transforming the listening area into an immersive three-dimensional sound field, engaging the audience with realistic surround activity that complements the onscreen chaos.
While retaining the original DTS-HD MA 7.1 track from the Blu-ray release, Paramount delivers a satisfying audio experience. Key action sequences, such as the impactful truck crash in the opening scene, provide a pronounced sonic punch. The moody and atmospheric score by Marco Beltrami also shines, with pitch-perfect imaging that enhances the tension and suspense of quieter moments. Though an Atmos or DTS:X upgrade could potentially elevate the experience, the current track excels in delivering impressive sonic details where it matters most.
Extra: 39
The extras included in the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "World War Z" are modest but insightful. The standouts are the four-part production mini-documentary, which delves into behind-the-scenes details though it tends to rehash the plot before diving into the execution of key sequences. The extras maintain a professional exploration of the film's production aspects and scientific inspirations, compelling for both fans and those interested in filmmaking craft.
Extras included in this disc:
- Origins: Insight into the inception of the film's storyline.
- Looking to Science: Discussions on scientific elements that influenced the film.
- WWZ: Production: Comprehensive look at the making of the film, split into four segments:
- Outbreak
- The Journey Begins
- Behind the Wall
- Camouflage
Movie: 49
"World War Z," directed by Marc Forster and based on Max Brooks' acclaimed novel, is an ambitious take on zombie apocalypse cinema that somewhat diverges from traditional genre expectations. While zombie enthusiasts might revel in the film's kinetic action sequences and tension-filled moments, they may also find fault in its lack of depth in storyline and character development. The plot primarily follows Brad Pitt as Gerry, a former U.N. investigator, striving to shield his family from a viral outbreak that reanimates the dead. The film's opening act is especially engaging, delivering a relentless pace and gripping suspense that captivates viewers.
However, the narrative falters as the film progresses, particularly once Gerry's family is secure. The frenzied momentum of the initial escape gives way to a disjointed and sluggish middle section, compounded by significant rewrites and reshoots that sought to patch together inconsistencies. This transitional phase falls into a predictable formula, losing much of the initial urgency and becoming a tedious chase around the globe for Patient Zero. Despite these drawbacks, "World War Z" manages to retain bursts of inventive action; scenes like the airplane crash and opening city escape are standout moments showcasing high-stakes tension and expertly crafted suspense.
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray release of "World War Z" ensures the film's frenetic energy translates well to home viewing. The 4K disc includes the PG-13 version, while the accompanying BD-50 offers an unrated cut previously seen on older Blu-ray releases. Despite its narrative flaws, the technical execution of certain sequences and the robust presentation on 4K UHD make it a worthwhile addition for fans of action-driven zombie films. Nonetheless, it remains a tantalizing glimpse of what could have been a more cohesive adaptation of Brooks' intricate novelistic vision.
Total: 62
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "World War Z" presents a visually impressive upgrade thanks to the integration of Dolby Vision HDR. The refined visual clarity and enhanced color palette provide a more immersive viewing experience, enhancing the brisk pace and often chaotic cinematography typical of the film. However, the choice to include only the bloodless PG-13 Theatrical Cut, rather than the superior Unrated Version, undermines what could have been a definitive release. Fans of the original cut will find this iteration satisfactory but may be left longing for the more intense version that delivers a more robust narrative impact.
The audio component remains unchanged, retaining the excellent DTS-HD MA 7.1 track from previous releases. This audio mix continues to deliver an engaging sound experience with clear dialogue, dynamic effects, and substantial low-frequency effects that complement the on-screen action effectively. Additionally, the same set of special features is carried over, providing insightful extras that delve into the making and production challenges of the film.
In conclusion, while this 4K UHD Blu-ray release showcases significant visual enhancements and retains its authoritative audio mix, its failure to include the Unrated Cut is a missed opportunity for fans seeking a more complete version. Despite this shortcoming, the release is still worthy of consideration due to its technical merits and remains a valuable addition to home entertainment collections for those who appreciate the theatrical version. Nevertheless, it stands as one of the less compelling offerings within the Paramount Scares Vol. 2 collection.
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Perhaps not the greatest apples to oranges upgrade, but for a film of its era where 2K digital intermediates were the norm, the enhancements here are notable....
Audio: 80
Where I can be very critical of the plot, the film knew when to stage some genuine suspense scenes letting silence build the terror to a crescendo payoff....
Extras: 40
The four-part Production min-doc is the best piece here, but even then if feels like most of the material is spent rehashing the plot before they get into how they executed certain sequences....
Movie: 40
Between David Lindeloff and Drew Goddard’s last-minute rewriting and the production reshooting almost 40 minutes of the film, you can feel the creative team trying to bandaid a bigger mess into something...
Total: 60
Dollars to donuts, I’d say this film is the weakest offering within the Paramount Scares Vol. 2 collection so I can only call it Worth A Look....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 92
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Audio: 96
The action-based sequences transform the listening area into a three dimensional sound field that generates involving surround activity that mates perfectly with the events unfolding onscreen....
Extras: 50
Disc 1: World War Z Ultra HD Blu-ray (Theatrical version) Disc 2: World War Z Blu-ray (Unrated version) original 2013 release Legacy Bonus Features Digital Code...
Movie: 70
When we think of “zombie” films in general that might not really be a problem, but, in this case, I found that while it is formulaic in some respects, it branches out beyond the parameters of typical genre...
Total: 77
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Director: Marc Forster
Actors: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz
PlotFormer UN investigator Gerry Lane is thrust into a chaotic world turned upside down by a sudden and mysterious outbreak that transforms the infected into aggressive and unthinking predators. Amidst the panic and turmoil of mass evacuations, Lane, along with his wife Karin and their two daughters, narrowly escapes the rapid onslaught consuming the city of Philadelphia. After a harrowing journey, they are airlifted to safety on a U.S. Navy vessel out at sea, where Lane learns that the epidemic has spread worldwide. Countries and cities are falling into chaos as governments struggle to contain the rampant spread of the disease.
Urged by his former UN colleague, Thierry, and owing to his expertise in dangerous global affairs, Lane is coerced into returning to the field to help investigate the source of the outbreak. He sets out on a perilous mission that takes him around the globe in search of answers that could potentially stop the terrifying pandemic. From the besieged streets of Jerusalem to the remnants of a WHO research facility, Lane must unravel the mystery of the virus's origins and its weaknesses while navigating through the untold dangers of a world overrun by the infected—a world teetering on the brink of collapse.
Writers: Matthew Michael Carnahan, Drew Goddard, Damon Lindelof
Release Date: 21 Jun 2013
Runtime: 116 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States, United Kingdom, Malta
Language: English, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic