Don't Breathe 2 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Don’t Breathe 2" arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray with a video presentation that splendidly capitalizes on its source material and deliberate visual aesthetic. Shot digitally using Arri Alexa Mini cameras at a resolution of 3.4K, the film was finished on a 2K Digital Intermediate; therefore, this UHD release is an upscale to 3840 x 2160p resolution. Despite not being a true 4K source, the transition to UHD is commendable, offering enhanced detail and texture in a film predominantly swathed in shadows and low-light scenarios. The HDR10 implementation enriches the image, providing a broader contrast range and vibrant yet restrained use of colors tailored to the film's grim tone. The palette is narrow but effective, with deep blues and harsh oranges coming through crisply against the predominantly dark scenes. Flesh tones lean towards the pale and thin - intentionally so, enhancing the film's bleakness.

Detail reproduction is consistently impressive across the disc, benefiting from the 10-bit color depth and Wide Color Gamut (WCG). Textural nuances such as the intricate facial features, clothing textures, and environmental grit are rendered with clarity, contributing to an immersive viewing experience. Despite limited by the movie’s aesthetic that shies away from vivid colors, the UHD presentation still manages to extract elements that pop against the otherwise muted background, especially in sequences of heightened action or drama where reds and flames provide a stark contrast. Black levels are admirably deep and inky, crucial for a film that plays extensively with darkness and shadow, though occasional crush is noted.

The UHD presentation excels in its refinement of image sharpness and reduction of video noise, presenting a cleaner, more dynamic image compared to its Blu-ray counterpart. Issues are minimal and largely negligible, including occasional posterization and very slight video noise that doesn't detract from the overall visual quality. In all, Sony's 2160p/HDR UHD transfer of "Don’t Breathe 2" enhances the movie's intended atmospheric tension and visual style, presenting a distinct improvement over HD versions even within the constraints of its original digital filming techniques.

The "Don't Breathe 2" 4K UHD Blu-ray's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is a stunning audio experience, leveraging the full potential of the Atmos format to create an enveloping sound field that brings the film's tense and eerily quiet atmosphere directly into your living room. With precise object placement and a keen focus on the more subtle, atmospherics, the audio mix excels in delivering both the claustrophobic closeness of indoor scenes and the expansive acoustics of outdoor spaces. The inclusion of discrete overhead sound effects enhances the realism, particularly noticeable during sequences like the engulfing house fire, which offers impressive depth and dimensionality to the soundscape.

The depth and detail achieved in this Atmos presentation are notably superior to the standard Blu-ray's 5.1 mix, providing a larger, more dynamic field of sonic engagement. Dialogue is consistently clear and well-placed at the center of the mix, while the low-end response is tight and impactful, lending weight to the score and sound effects alike, from subtle footsteps to intense explosions. The bass is notably robust, supporting everything from the atmospheric tension to the physical confrontations with depth that can shake a room.

The mix makes exceptional use of silence as a storytelling tool, punctuating these moments with sharp, directional audio cues that heighten the suspense and immerse the viewer. During quieter scenes, the Atmos track demonstrates its sophistication through meticulous spacing and crystal-clear directionality, allowing even the slightest whisper or footstep to maintain the film’s high stakes. Action sequences, conversely, unleash the full scope of the mix’s dynamic range, with every gunshot and burst of music spaced seamlessly across the channels for an all-encompassing audio experience that's as precise as it is powerful.

The "Don't Breathe 2" 4K UHD Blu-ray extras offer a relatively modest collection primarily comprised of short featurettes and two distinctively insightful audio commentaries. Notably, this release includes a significant appeal for bilingual viewers with dual audio commentaries: one conducted by director Rodo Sayagues alone in English and another featuring Sayagues alongside writer Fede Alvarez and cinematographer Pedro Luque in Spanish, with English subtitles available. These commentaries stand out as the highlights, providing profound insights into the filmmaking process and creative decisions. The featurettes — "Friends & Filmmakers," "Bad Man (Slang is Back)," and "Designing Deception" — though brief, offer a glance at the collaboration, character development, and aesthetic considerations behind the movie. An extended alternate ending adds a slight deviation from the theatrical release, albeit brief. A digital copy code catered to Movies Anywhere users accompanies the package, albeit with the physical release donning an unembellished slipcover, encapsulating the experience of owning this edition.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director Rodo Sayagues: Explore the film through the director's lens in English.
• Spanish Audio Commentary: A distinct commentary track in Spanish with director Rodo Sayagues, writer Fede Alvarez, and cinematographer Pedro Luque, offering subtitled insights for non-Spanish speakers.
• Friends and Filmmakers: A look into the collaboration between director Rodo Sayagues and writer Fede Alvarez.
• Bad Man (Slang is Back): A featurette focusing on Lang's character and his portrayal.
• Designing Deception: Delving into the movie's visual style, including photography, lighting, and choreography.
• Extended Ending: An additional scene extending the movie's finale.

In "Don't Breathe 2," Stephen Lang reprises his role as the complicated character Norman Nordstrom, a blinded Navy SEAL veteran. This sequel, situated within the same universe as its 2016 predecessor, forges its own path with a new tale of survival, vigilantism, and moral ambiguity. Norman, now living in isolation with his adopted daughter Phoenix (Madelyn Grace), faces renewed threats when a group of criminals, led by the sinister Raylan (Brendan Sexton III), targets his home. The movie unfolds as a gritty home invasion thriller that tests Norman's limits and ingenuity in protecting his surrogate family.

The film diverges from traditional horror to embrace elements of suspense and action, distinguishing itself from its origin story while maintaining a connection through the recurring theme of Norman's heightened senses and martial prowess. Director Rodo Sayagues, stepping up from co-writing duties on the first film, crafts sequences of gripping tension and brutal combat, balancing the dark setting with moments of shocking violence. Despite nods to the first film's controversial narrative choices, "Don't Breathe 2" opts for a more straightforward approach to its protagonist's quest for redemption, steering the focus towards a conventional narrative of good versus evil, albeit within a morally grey universe.

Performance-wise, Lang dominates with his physical and emotive portrayal of Norman, ably supported by Madelyn Grace's compelling turn as Phoenix. Their dynamic drives the narrative forward, offering a blend of emotional depth and relentless action. While the sequel might lean towards replicating genre staples over innovating, it successfully provides a tense and engaging experience. However, it's the exploration of shifting moral landscapes and character motivations that imbue the film with its distinct identity, setting it apart as a worthy if untraditional continuation of its predecessor's legacy.

Don’t Breathe 2" on 4K UHD Blu-ray emerges as a sequel with mixed sentiments but maintains a strong technical presentation that might appeal to enthusiasts of the genre. While the film itself, featuring the return of the blind Navy SEAL veteran Norman Nordstrom, dives back into familiar thematic waters with increased stakes and visceral tension, it struggles to fully recapture the original's novelty or intensity. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment delivers this sequel with an impressive HDR10 picture quality, enhancing the film's grim visuals through outstanding black levels and dynamic contrasts, making the dour color palette strikingly vibrant. The Dolby Atmos track complements the visual fidelity commendably, boasting immersive ambient effects and robust bass that draws viewers into its murky, tension-filled atmosphere. Despite its relatively lightweight additional content, the offerings, notably two engaging audio commentaries, provide insightful glimpses into the movie’s creation.

Critics and viewers appear divided on the narrative necessity and execution of this sequel, pointing out its somewhat derivative atmosphere and thinly sketched characters, yet not dismissing its capacity to entertain as a stand-alone home invasion and horror film. The performances, particularly Stephen Lang's, receive nods for their commitment within the constraints of limited character development, suggesting that while "Don’t Breathe 2" may not innovate, it effectively sustains suspense through its runtime.

Conclusively, "Don’t Breathe 2" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands as a solid yet imperfect extension of its predecessor. While it may not fulfill the expectations set by the original, its technical merits alone make it a worthwhile consideration for fans. The film's adept use of suspense, coupled with high-quality video and audio presentations, compensates for its narrative and thematic shortcomings. Although it ventures into familiar territory without significant innovation, those with an appetite for tense, atmospheric thrills may find it a commendable watch. Not essential but undeniably engaging for what it offers, it underscores Sony’s capability in delivering quality home entertainment experiences.