Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol exemplifies the pinnacle of 4k UHD presentation, delivering an astonishingly remarkable video quality on 4k Blu-ray that sets a new standard for home cinema excellence. Since its shooting utilized both 35 mm and 65 mm film stocks, culminating in a native 4K digital intermediate, the transition to UHD is impressive, benefiting greatly from a meticulous HDR color grading which includes both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. This ensures that from the first frame, the picture quality captivates with its sharpness, depth, and vibrant colors that leap off the screen. Even compared to its already spectacular 1080p Blu-ray counterpart, the 4K UHD enhancement offers an appreciable uptick in detail, embracing the finer textures of urban landscapes, fabrics, and facial features with exceptional clarity and finesse.

What truly distinguishes this release is its adept handling of both the wide color gamut and nuanced contrast levels. Explosions radiate with a newfound intensity, while the lush vistas and intricate interiors display a richness and depth previously unseen. The combination of silky blacks and radiant whites contribute to an image that is not just brighter but also more detailed, infusing each scene with a cinematic texture that's both immersive and visually stunning. Despite some critics noting occasional issues with contrast management that slightly detract from the overall fidelity, these moments are few and far between within an otherwise flawless presentation.

The use of Dolby Vision HDR enhances the visual experience, ensuring that both the sun-scorched exteriors and shadow-drenched interiors exhibit an impressive range of luminosity and color. The film's numerous global locales, from the grit of a Moscow prison to the sleek modernism of Dubai’s skyscrapers, benefit immensely from this technology, which brings out the lushness of colors and provides a more three-dimensional feel to the high-octane action sequences. The meticulous attention to detail, coupled with a discernible increase in depth and texture, solidifies Ghost Protocol's status as a reference-quality disc that showcases the formidable potential of 4K UHD technology.

The "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" 4K UHD Blu-ray's audio presentation, boasting an unaltered Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track from its previous Blu-ray incarnation, impresses with both its consistency and prowess in delivering a high-quality auditory experience. Unlike its predecessoral films which saw upgrades for their 4K releases, "Ghost Protocol" requires no such enhancement, retaining its reference-quality sound that first turned heads back in 2012. Dialogue is crystal clear, predominantly anchored in the center channels but spreads effectively, providing a natural feel that enhances viewer immersion. The score, a standout in the franchise, masterfully mixes classic motifs with contemporary rhythms, offering a robust and engaging backdrop that utilizes the full capability of the soundstage to envelop the audience.

Technical details reveal an aggressive mix that engages the entire speaker system to recreate an almost theatrical experience. Sound staging showcases exceptional integration between front and rear channels, allowing effects to traverse the room with precision. Dynamics boast high energy, with an impactful and clear articulation that accentuates the subtleties of each scene. The LFE channel adds substantial weight, underpinning the mix with a muscular bass that bolsters both the soundtrack and the myriad of explosive action sequences. Atmospherics are given careful attention, from the subtler ambiance of quieter moments to the overwhelming roar of sandstorms and explosions, each demonstrating superior clarity and depth.

Further enhancing this auditory feast is the substantial use of surrounds that ingeniously capture the bustling life of various locales, gunfire reverberations, and intense action moments, granting an exceptional level of detail in the mid-range. Subtle environmental sounds are not overlooked, ensuring even the quietest scenes are filled with life. Despite the impossibility of an object-based upgrade, the existing 7.1 mix more than satisfies, especially when applied with Dolby Surround or DTS: Neural:X up-mixing functionalities for those seeking an extra layer of immersion. In essence, "Ghost Protocol" on 4K UHD Blu-ray remains a testament to aural excellence, maintaining its demo-worthy status through sheer quality and ingenuity in sound design.

The "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" 4K UHD Blu-ray extra features disappointingly mirror the content of its original release, offering a bare-bones experience for those hoping for new insights or additional content exclusive to this format. Paramount’s decision to not include any extras on the 4K disc itself and merely repackage the first Blu-ray disc from the 2012 release – without the second disc's supplementary content – underlines a missed opportunity to enrich the viewing experience. The extras that are provided, however, remain high-quality, comprising behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes with optional director commentary by Brad Bird, and trailers. They are split across the included Blu-ray discs, with a mix of location-focused segments and broader making-of documentaries that offer glimpses into the production challenges and successes. Notably, the detailed exploration of specific stunt sequences and the IMAX shooting process will satisfy fans looking for technical insights, despite the overall lack of new material or a fresh perspective for this release.

Extras included in this disc:

• Mission Accepted: Behind-the-scenes featurettes focused on filming in Prague, Dubai, and Vancouver.
• Impossible Missions: A collection of featurettes covering various aspects such as the IMAX shoot, art department, sandstorm effects, and more.
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Brad Bird: A set of deleted scenes accompanied by directorial insight.
• Trailers: The theatrical trailers for the film.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," directed by Brad Bird in what was initially envisioned as a return project for J.J. Abrams, emerges as a pivotal rejuvenation for the franchise, demonstrating Bird's adeptness in blending hefty action set pieces with a palpable sense of whimsy and humor. Despite Abrams' pivot towards producing, due to his involvement with other major franchises at the time, Bird, making his live-action debut, manages to infuse the fourth installment with a unique directorial flair reminiscent of his acclaimed works in animation like "The Incredibles". The resultant film is a critically acclaimed blockbuster that showcases Tom Cruise's enduring appeal as the franchise's backbone, further complemented by a dynamic supporting cast including Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner, who together form a cohesive 'Mission: Impossible family'.

The narrative thrust of "Ghost Protocol" features Ethan Hunt (Cruise) and his team racing against time to thwart a global nuclear catastrophe following the wrongful accusation of bombing the Kremlin. This setup paves the way for a string of high-octane action sequences, epitomized by Cruise's breathtaking ascent of Dubai's Burj Khalifa, which stands out as one of modern cinema's most iconic stunt sequences. The film not only excels in visual spectacle but also enriches its story with strong thematic elements, seamlessly blending espionage thrills with moments of levity and character development. Despite criticisms regarding the film's antagonist portrayal by Michael Nyqvist being somewhat underwhelming, "Ghost Protocol" is lauded for its compelling mix of humor, heart-pounding action, and a well-rounded ensemble cast that brings depth to their roles.

On the technical front, the 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Ghost Protocol" accentuates the movie's visual grandeur, upgrading from its 2012 Blu-ray release with enhanced 4K/Dolby Vision video quality, albeit without introducing new extras or modifying the existing Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack. This release underscores Paramount's commitment to delivering high-quality home entertainment experiences, allowing audiences to relive Ethan Hunt's thrilling escapades with unparalleled clarity and immersion.

Paramount's release of "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray has elevated the viewing experience to an impressive new level, making this edition a must-have for fans and home theater enthusiasts alike. The film itself, directed by Brad Bird and featuring Tom Cruise in a role that reignited his career, stands out as one of the most entertaining and technically remarkable entries in the "Mission: Impossible" series. The 4K Ultra HD version brings an unparalleled visual clarity that surpasses its already excellent Blu-ray counterpart, thanks to the native 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation. While the absence of Dolby Atmos audio is noted, the included Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack remains reference quality, demonstrating exceptional low-frequency impact and clear, room-filling dialogue. This release not only showcases the technical prowess of home cinema but also underscores the film's blend of thrilling action sequences and globe-trotting spy escapades.

The overall package further impresses with its retention of all previously available bonus content, ensuring that enthusiasts have access to an exhaustive collection of extras alongside this stunning visual and auditory upgrade. It's clear that Paramount has placed significant emphasis on delivering a top-tier 4K Ultra HD experience, making "Ghost Protocol" arguably the best-looking and sounding entry in the franchise's home media history. Despite the lack of new extras or an Atmos track, the existing features and audio quality render this release a compelling purchase.

In conclusion, "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray represents a pinnacle in home media presentation, offering a reference image and sound experience that fans and A/V enthusiasts will find indistinguishable from perfection. Paramount's conscientious effort in remastering this film for 4K UHD is evident, making it an essential addition to any collection. While some may lament the exclusion of certain audio upgrades, the sheer quality of what is included ensures this release stands as a highly recommended showcase of the best that home cinema technology can offer today.