Child's Play 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Released in a new 4K UHD edition by Shout Factory, the 2019 reboot of "Child's Play" is presented in 2160p HEVC/H.265 with a theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. Utilizing a fresh native 4K master, this release offers a considerable upgrade over its Blu-ray counterpart. The digital clarity is magnificent, and the high dynamic range (HDR) grade—available in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision—is top-notch. The HDR is not subtle; it significantly enhances the already impressive cinematography, bolstering the film's visual richness. From the intricate details of grimy apartment settings to the gritty texture of brick walls, the image quality is outstanding, rendering a near-flawless transfer.

The visual excellence is further heightened by remarkable black levels and deep shadows, which are essential for the film's darker tones. The Dolby Vision pass amplifies peak brightness while keeping it reasonable, ensuring that the black levels remain consistent and impressive. The color palette receives a notable boost, with vibrant primaries that were not as pronounced in previous releases. Chucky's eerie outfits and eyes—whether red or blue—have never looked more menacing or bold. Whites are clean and brilliant, and specular highlights add a crisp, tight resplendence to details like vehicle headlights and electric sparks.

In essence, "Child's Play" (2019) has received a stellar 4K upgrade that not only harnesses the power of modern HDR but also delivers impressive clarity, depth, and vibrancy. Even if technically a Blu-ray 2.0 for some critics, this UHD release showcases a notable improvement in contrast, brightness balance, and overall definition. Fans will appreciate the lushly saturated colors and accurate facial complexions, contributing to a visually compelling experience that outshines previous home media editions.

The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track for "Child's Play" delivers an impressive auditory experience that rivals the stellar video quality, providing an engaging and immersive atmosphere ideal for a horror film. Bass elements are particularly impactful, with thunder strikes, slamming doors, eerie score downbeats, and chaotic effects immersing the viewer in suspense. Surround channels are actively engaged, ensuring spatial accuracy of sound elements such as footsteps in a warehouse and Chucky’s whispers across the floor. Dialogue remains crisp and clean, seamlessly integrated into the mix. While certain scenes may become slightly front-heavy, the overall dynamic range and utilization of all channels create a consistently engaging experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound presentation is rendered in high-fidelity 24-bit resolution, offering clear and detailed sound throughout. The sound design is notably superb with thoughtfully mixed surround channels that enhance the entire feature film. The score benefits from an expansive soundstage, but it’s the meticulously crafted sound effects that truly elevate the track. Meanwhile, the dialog maintains clear prioritization, cutting through even intense sequences with clarity.

Significant ambient effects enrich the soundfield, particularly in critical moments such as the climactic finale set in a department store, where directional audio aids in encapsulating the action. Occasional atmospherics travel smoothly into the surrounds with a clear definition and distinction. Dolby Surround and DTS: Neural:X up-mixing functionalities add depth by extending some atmospheric elements into overheads, broadening the soundscape further. Overall, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track complements the 4K video extremely well, making "Child's Play" both a visual and auditory horror treat.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Child’s Play" offers an enriching assortment of supplemental features, headlined by an engaging audio commentary with director Lars Klevberg. The extras, spread across two discs, provide both new content and classic behind-the-scenes material. Highlights include fresh interviews with key cast members Gabriel Bateman and David James Lewis, as well as production designer Dan Hermansen. The "Making of Child’s Play" and "Bringing Child’s Play’s Chucky to Life" segments, though brief, offer insightful looks at the film’s production and special effects. Additionally, fans will appreciate the short but entertaining Lee Hardcastle claymations and the included galleries and trailers, which together round out a robust and compelling collection.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary With Director Lars Klevberg: Insightful commentary discussing various aspects of the film.
• Beautiful Darkness: Interview with production designer Dan Hermansen.
• A New Start: Interview with actor Gabriel Bateman.
• Head Of The Patch: Interview with actor David James Lewis.
• The Making of Child's Play: Behind-the-scenes featurette.
• Bringing Child's Play's Chucky To Life: Explore the special effects work.
• Soundtrack Trailer: Promotions related to the film's soundtrack.
• Lee Hardcastle Claymations: Two short claymation videos.
• Gallery: Collection of still images from the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original feature trailer.

Child's Play (2019) reimagines the iconic Chucky doll as a smart AI device produced by the Kaslan corporation, shifting the original narrative of a serial killer's soul inhabiting a toy towards a modern technological horror. Mark Hamill, lending his voice to Chucky, masterfully balances innocence and malevolence, revitalizing the character with a nuanced performance. On-screen, Gabriel Bateman stands out as Andy Barclay, delivering an impressive and engaging performance, while Aubrey Plaza as his mother Karen adds a unique flair to her role, though her character sometimes feels underutilized.

The film explores corporate and consumerist themes satirically, making Chucky not just a menacing doll but an indictment of our dependency on technology. The story begins with a disgruntled worker disabling safety protocols on one Buddi doll, setting off a chain of gruesome events. What follows is a series of darkly comedic and violent scenarios as Chucky learns and adapts without ethical constraints, leading to several macabre yet somewhat lackluster kill scenes that pay homage to classic slasher elements. Brendan Uegama's cinematography enhances the atmospheric tension with visually compelling frames, although the eerie aesthetics do not always translate into genuine suspense. However, Bear McCreary's evocative score greatly contributes to the film's underlying tension and immersive quality.

Despite its strengths, such as Hamill's distinctive voice work and the polished production design by Dan Hermansen, Child's Play (2019) falters with its overemphasis on satirical commentary at the expense of building true horror. While practical plot devices like Andy’s hearing aid are introduced, they serve more as superficial nods rather than pivotal elements of a cohesive narrative. This reboot, while entertaining and showcasing technical proficiency, ultimately struggles to capture the sinister charm of the original, resulting in a film that feels both modern and nostalgic yet uneven in delivering consistent thrills.

The 2019 reboot of "Child's Play" explores the chilling concept of a doll reimagined with artificial intelligence, posing modern-day digital dangers. Guided by Lars Klevberg's direction, this updated narrative features strong performances, particularly by Gabriel Bateman and Mark Hamill, who voices a technologically enhanced Chucky. While the film provides an engaging thrill ride with some satirical elements, it falters in delivering consistent scares and insightful commentary. The heinous new design of Chucky adds an element of terror but doesn't quite elevate the film to the franchise's celebrated heights.

The 4K UHD release from Scream Factory brings technical enhancements that fans will appreciate. The 2160p video presentation boasts remarkable clarity and detail, enhanced further by Dolby Vision HDR. The DTS-HD Master Audio tracks — both 5.1 and 2.0 — provide immersive soundscapes, effectively capturing the eerie atmosphere of the film. Legacy supplemental features are included, and the new bonus features add value to this release. However, from an audio perspective, there are no significant improvements over the previous Blu-ray release.

In conclusion, while "Child's Play" (2019) might not be a high point for the franchise, its Scream Factory 4K UHD release is a commendable upgrade in terms of visual quality. The film itself may not hold up as one of the stronger entries in the Chucky series, but completionists and collectors will find worth in its enhanced resolution and extended extras. For casual viewers or those less invested in the horror icon's legacy, it’s recommended to approach with tempered expectations.