Underworld: Awakening 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD release of "Underworld: Awakening" presents a nuanced improvement over the already impressive 2012 Blu-ray edition, faithfully adhering to the movie's visual aesthetic characterized by dominant dark, blue, and black hues. This iteration refines rather than revolutionizes the viewing experience, with enhancements most appreciated in HDR's enrichment of color presentation. Specifically, it elevates black depth, shadow detail, and introduces more vibrant high-output colors, notably in scenes featuring intense blues like Selene's eyes, or the vivid red of blood, alongside sharper whites and improved overall contrast. The picture quality is nearly impeccable, free from source or encode issues, offering a more polished version that leans into the strengths of its digital filmmaking origins without substantial leaps in resolution or natural fidelity.

Despite its clearer and crisper look facilitated by the transition to digital filmmaking, "Underworld: Awakening" in 4K admits a glossiness that could detract from its authenticity, presenting a too-smooth aesthetic that may not appeal to all. The film's infamous blue palette is continuously prevalent, with certain scenes benefiting from a splash of contrasting colors, though these instances do little to diversify the overall color scheme. The HDR grading notably enhances black levels, essential for a film that embraces darkness and shadow to craft its atmosphere, thereby maintaining depth even in the absence of 3D technology. However, the lackluster resolution and somewhat limited color range do not fully leverage the potential of the 4K UHD format.

In summary, this UHD release stands as the definitive home version of "Underworld: Awakening," despite some limitations. Its main triumphs lie in the HDR-enhanced color depth and the modest but consistent improvements in detail and clarity. While it might not justify an upgrade for every viewer, those with a keen eye for visual enhancements and a love for the series will find value in this polished rendition. The glossy sheen and digital clarity represent a double-edged sword, enhancing some aspects of the visual experience while potentially detracting from the film's intended aesthetic and texture.

The "Underworld: Awakening" 4K UHD Blu Ray's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is an earful feast for those craving the epitome of action-packed audio experiences. From the get-go, viewers are plunged into an immersive battlefield that doesn't just play out on screen but envelops the room with precision-engineered sound. The initial battle sequence is a showpiece for what surround sound can achieve, presenting a rich tapestry of audio elements that range from the relentless roar of machine gunfire to the eerily accurate sound of ice forming, showcasing a level of detail and care in audio production that remains consistent throughout. Dialogue, too, benefits from this meticulous approach, offering clarity and lifelike quality that firmly anchors it in the midst of even the most chaotic scenes.

However, this aural onslaught doesn't always play to the nuances of auditory senses. The soundtrack's preference for overwhelming bass during sequences of extreme action, such as the confrontation with a mega-werewolf, can verge on excess, creating a sensory bombardment that, while impressive, might prove taxing for some. Despite this, the soundtrack's dynamic use of motion, expertly traversing the soundscape and effectively utilizing every available speaker channel including overheads, compensates for these moments of auditory overload. This allows for a richer, more immersive experience that captures even the subtlest details, like the rustling of air or intricate rainfall patterns elevated by the Atmos mix, providing a depth and complexity that enhances the entire viewing experience.

Indeed, "Underworld: Awakening" leverages its Atmos soundtrack to transform each scene into an engaging, multi-dimensional auditory adventure. Whether showcasing the aggressive low-end power during action scenes or the refined motion and spatial detailing in quieter moments, this audio presentation is crafted with an evident passion for film audio engineering. It wonderfully balances the assaultive force of its more intense sequences with moments of auditory finesse that altogether contribute to what is genuinely a reference-quality home theater experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Underworld: Awakening" brings not only an upgrade in visual quality but enriches the experience with substantial extra features, primarily housed on the included Blu-ray disc. The exclusive addition to the UHD disc is the animated side story "Underworld: Endless War," providing depth to the lore with its three short segments. A series of trailers also accompany this disc. The bundled Blu-ray mirrors its 2012 release, marked by a blend of technical and behind-the-scenes content, including a filmmakers' commentary that unites producers, directors, and the visual effects supervisor, which offers insightful perspectives on the production process. Featurettes delve into various aspects of the film, from casting to special effects, while a blooper reel adds a light-hearted touch. The picture-in-picture experience "Cracking the Underworld" offers an engaging overlay to the film viewing, making it a standout among the extras for its detailed exploration of the film's making. This package is rounded off with a music video and additional trailers, ensuring a comprehensive enhancement to the viewing experience of any "Underworld" enthusiast.

Extras included in this disc:

• Underworld: Endless War: A three-part animated short story.
• Trailers: Three theatrical trailers are provided in high definition.
• Filmmakers' Commentary: In-depth discussion with producers, directors, and visual effects supervisor.
• Selene Rises: A featurette focusing on the lead character's evolution.
• Casting the Future of Underworld: Insight into the casting process.
• Resuming the Action: A look at the film's action sequences.
• Building a Better Lycan: Focuses on the creatures' design and realization.
• Awakening a Franchise, Building a Better World: Exploring the expansion of the film's universe.
• Blooper Reel: Light-hearted outtakes from filming.
• Music Video: Accompanying music video related to the film.
• Cracking the Underworld: Picture-in-Picture Experience: An immersive visual commentary.

Sony's 2012 action-horror sequel, "Underworld: Awakening," makes its 4K UHD debut, boasting an enthralling 2160p/HDR video and immersive Dolby Atmos audio setup, marking a significant upgrade from its highly regarded 2012 Blu-ray release. This leap in quality is part of a comprehensive move to bring the entire "Underworld" series into the modern age of home entertainment, available exclusively within the five-film UHD collection boxed set. The technical spectacle of the new release is bound to impress enthusiasts with its clear, vivid visuals and captivating sound design, enhancing the dark, gritty ambiance that fans have come to expect from the franchise.

The narrative thrust of "Underworld: Awakening" discards much of the nuanced history built over the trilogy, focusing instead on a more immediate conflict where humans have uncovered and initiated a ruthless purge against both vampires and Lycans. Selene (Kate Beckinsale), once a feared death dealer, finds herself navigating a drastically altered reality after being awakened from cryogenic sleep. Despite the potential richness of exploring humanity's awareness and subsequent reaction to the otherworldly creatures among them, the film hastily bypasses deeper political or existential exploration for straight-to-the-point action sequences and stark role reversals—drawing inspiration from the likes of the "Resident Evil" series rather than building upon its own intricate lore.

This sharp pivot in storytelling approach leaves little room for the ideological subtleties that once defined the series, opting instead for a more visually driven spectacle that sometimes undercuts its own foundational mythos. In particular, the script's redirection forces fans to recalibrate their allegiances and understanding of the franchise's core dynamics without much groundwork. Such decisions underscore a thematic and stylistic shift in "Underworld: Awakening" that may divide long-time followers while attempting to cater to a broader audience seeking action-packed, high-stakes confrontation with a glossy cinematic sheen.

Underworld: Awakening" on 4K UHD Blu-Ray delivers a visual and auditory experience that befits its standing within the action genre, particularly for a franchise entering its fourth installment. Sony's transfer of the film to UHD provides an exceptional 2160p/HDR picture quality that noticeably surpasses its Blu-ray predecessor, complemented by stellar audio output. This upgrade makes for an enriched viewing of the film's slick production values and high-octane sequences. The film itself continues to ride the wave of its in-built fan appeal, largely relying on the enduring allure of Kate Beckinsale in her iconic tight leather and armed persona, which undeniably remains a selling point. Despite the series’ formula showing wear, "Awakening" manages to entertain, blending familiar action with new plot advances, though it shies away from fully exploiting the new narrative avenues it teeters on exploring.

Remarkably, this installment veers off the beaten path by altering the series' traditional conflict dynamics and introducing fresh, albeit somewhat jumbled, concepts amidst its torrent of action scenes. This shift may leave viewers with mixed feelings, particularly those deeply invested in the series' lore and accustomed norms. However, for casual viewers and dedicated fans alike, there is still a level of enjoyment to be found in the chaos and spectacle that "Underworld: Awakening" delivers, further enhanced by the UHD presentation.

In conclusion, "Underworld: Awakening" on 4K UHD Blu-Ray stands out for its technical excellence, with Sony delivering an impressive visual and audio upgrade that fans of the series will appreciate. Despite some narrative choices that might divide audiences, the movie offers sufficient entertainment value and spectacle, maintaining its appeal chiefly through its action sequences and the charisma of its lead. It's a must-watch for franchise enthusiasts and a worthwhile pick for newcomers looking for a visually stunning action film experience.