Brightburn 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Brightburn's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation, exclusively available in the UK through HMV and Zavvi editions, brings a visually enhanced experience that marginally surpasses its already commendable 1080p SDR Blu-ray counterpart. The transfer boasts a 3840 x 2160p resolution that adheres to the film’s original 2.39:1 aspect ratio, enhanced by 10-bit video depth, Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), and High Dynamic Range (HDR), encoded via HEVC (H.265). However, given the film's digital shoot and 2K digital intermediate upscale, the transition to 4K offers improvements that are subtle rather than transformative. Textural details, such as skin textures, clothing, and environmental sharpness, receive a marginal boost, making them slightly more pronounced but not dramatically so. The HDR spectrum introduces the most notable changes, enhancing color depth and contrast to offer more vibrant scenes and deeper blacks, albeit without significantly altering the viewer’s experience from that provided by the Blu-ray version.

The 4K rendition excels in handling dark scenes and shadows without noise intrusion, showcasing the potential of digital cinematography with excellent contrast and black levels. Despite these advancements, the image occasionally lacks the razor-sharp definition seen in other 4K presentations, residing in a range of "good, not great" sharpness. Color saturation remains slightly subdued, although flesh tones are rendered accurately, and primary colors occasionally pop with more intensity. The handling of red tones, pivotal to Brightburn’s visual theme, exemplifies where the 4K HDR could have capitalized more aggressively but holds back, offering only a marginally deeper glow rather than a significant leap in vibrancy.

In summary, Brightburn's 4K UHD Blu-ray excels in enhancing certain aspects of the film’s visual presentation, notably through improved black levels and contrast, bringing subtle refinements to texture and color depth. However, these improvements don't drastically set apart the 4K version from its Blu-ray counterpart; it's a commendable effort that slightly elevates the viewing experience without achieving a monumental leap in visual quality. The presentation's restrained approach to HDR utilization and its fidelity to maintaining a natural look reflect a balance between technical improvement and preserving the original cinematic essence.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray of "Brightburn" receives an extraordinary upgrade with its Dolby Atmos track, offering an immersive sonic experience that dramatically enhances the film's dark and ominous atmosphere. The transition from the standard Blu-ray disc's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix to the High Definition object-based 3D immersive audio mix in Dolby Atmos flavor is immediately noticeable, adding depth and a sense of envelopment that is in perfect harmony with the film's tone. With dialogue crisply anchored in the frontal array and supplemented by subtle yet effective surround placement effects, the Atmos mix excels in maintaining clarity even during the most intense sequences. The careful balance between ambient noises and the more pronounced effects of superhuman abilities illustrates a meticulous attention to detail, creating a convincing and engaging auditory environment.

The Atmos configuration's potent bass and expansive stage-filling presence are central to its success, delivering both the climactic action scenes and quieter moments with equal precision. The low end dominates throughout, defining not just the music but also the impactful effects, giving life to the action and horror elements with an abundance of depth and intensity. Particularly notable is how seamlessly certain auditory elements, such as whispers and environmental sounds like rainfall and thunder, are integrated, enhancing the overall realism. However, while height channels and the subwoofer add dimensionality, their application is selective, focusing on bolstering the atmosphere rather than constant usage.

Despite minor limitations such as less dynamic audio effects compared to modern recordings and a somewhat restrained LFE channel that doesn't quite achieve the chest-pounding impact of more recent mixes, "Brightburn's" Dolby Atmos track represents a significant and successful audio upgrade. This mix effectively utilizes its object-based capabilities to support and elevate the film's narrative and emotional depth, ensuring an engaging and immersive listening experience that stands out even amongst contemporaries in the home entertainment market.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Brightburn" in the UK is on par with its US counterpart regarding the extras, offering an audio commentary on the 4K disc and the rest of the featurette-based extras on the included Blu-ray. Directed by David Yarovesky and featuring insights from cinematographer Michael Dallatorre and costume designer Autumn Steed, the audio commentary blends casual conversation with detailed examination of the filmmaking process, including discussions on production design, casting, character development, and alternative endings. Further enhancing the package are three featurettes exploring the film's themes, its inversion of superhero motifs into horror, and promotional vignettes from cast and crew. Also included are previews and a Movies Anywhere digital code, all housed in a standard packaging without embossed details. While the selection is described as decent but not extraordinary, it's bolstered by insightful commentary and a modest assortment of additional content, presenting a comprehensive view into the film's creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insights from director David Yarovesky, cinematographer Michael Dallatorre, and costume designer Autumn Steed.
• Nature vs Nurture: A discussion on the movie's themes and character dynamics.
• Hero-Horror!: Exploration of the unique blend of superhero and horror genres.
• Quick Burns Social Vignettes: Promotional snippets from key personnel.
• Previews: Trailers for additional Sony titles.

Brightburn" embarks on a journey to inject fresh blood into the superhero genre, helmed by the creative vigor of the Gunn family, particularly under the production guard of James Gunn. Operating in the dark recesses of what could be considered an antithesis to the Superman lore, it unfurls the unsettling narrative of a child with otherworldly powers choosing the path less taken—utilizing his abilities not for heroism but for horror. This pivot introduces audiences to a compelling 'what if?' scenario that skillfully dances along the perimeters of a superhero horror, a subgenre that remains largely uncharted territory despite the burgeoning appetite for darker, more mature comic book adaptations.

At its core, "Brightburn" declares its intentions by exploring a familiar setup— an alien boy named Brandon discovered and raised by unsuspecting Kansas farmers— before veering into a chilling exploration of power unchecked and innocence corrupted. The casting choices bolster the narrative's dive into darkness, with Elizabeth Banks delivering a performance that navigates the terror and turmoil of a mother's love in the face of burgeoning evil. Yet, the film falters in transcending its high-concept premise, often succumbing to the gravitational pull of conventional horror tropes and jump-scares that dilute its initial promise. Despite impressive special effects and gore that will satiate horror aficionados, "Brightburn" struggles to flesh out its characters or afford them depth beyond the cul-de-sac of their grim destinies.

The film's technical merits, particularly its special effects and cinematography, craft visually arresting moments of brutality and power manifestation that serve as bleak reminders of Brandon's descent. However, these achievements are marred by a narrative that skates too comfortably on the surface of its potent premise. The script navigates Brandon's malevolence with a monochromatic lens, seldom probing into the complexities or potential conflicts within. As such, "Brightburn" shines as a novel blend of superhero mythos and horror elements but stumbles in its execution, leaving audiences pondering what could have been had it delved deeper into the darkness it so intriguingly promised.

Brightburn" offers an intriguing twist on superhero lore, wrapped in the cloak of a horror film, yet its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation provides a mixed bag for enthusiasts and fans alike. The UK edition is available in either an HMV exclusive amaray edition or a Zavvi exclusive steelbook, suggesting a strategy to appeal to collectors despite an aura of caution from Sony regarding the film's broader appeal. The 4K video enhancement over the standard Blu-ray is marginal, with only slight improvements in color and contrast, though these are hardly game-changers. However, the transition from a Blu-ray's 5.1 lossless track to a Dolby Atmos soundtrack on the 4K UHD version is where the release shines, offering a considerably richer audio experience that almost justifies the upgrade on its own.

The film itself, while showcasing a promising concept and technically competent execution, falls short of its potential. It leans heavily into horror tropes without fully exploring the darker facets of its superhero elements. As viewers journey with the character Brandon into his embrace of power and detachment from familial bonds, the narrative skips on delivering a compelling climax or substantial conflict, leading to an experience that feels incomplete despite its solid technical presentation. This lack of fulfillment in the story's progression coupled with the nominal video improvement poses a dilemma for potential buyers.

In conclusion, "Brightburn" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands as a testament to the film's unique premise and its high-quality Atmos audio track which significantly enhances the viewing experience. Yet, the overall package is somewhat dampened by the negligible video upgrade and the movie's untapped narrative depths. For dedicated fans of the genre or audiophiles looking to exploit their home theater setup to its fullest, this release is worth considering. However, those seeking a substantial step up from the standard Blu-ray or a more satisfying exploration of its promising concept might find it lacking.