A Wrinkle in Time 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "A Wrinkle in Time" offers a visually stunning experience that distinctly surpasses its Blu-ray predecessor, leveraging its source material's digital craftsmanship to enhance the movie's vibrant and whimsical landscapes. Shot digitally using ARRIRAW codec at 3.4K with ARRI Alexa cameras and Leica spherical lenses, the film, despite being finished on a 2K Digital Intermediate, is upscale to Ultra HD with remarkable skill. This upscale brings an appreciable boost in sharpness and clarity to the film's numerous whimsical environments and fantastical costumes, without introducing noticeable artifacts. The UHD's HDR-10 enhancement breathes life into the film's color palette, turning what was already a visually captivating experience into one that is both intensely vivid and strikingly clear.

Color reproduction on the UHD version showcases a broad spectrum with a richness and depth that simply cannot be realized on the Blu-ray. From the deep blacks that maintain their detail without becoming crushed (with the exception of a singular darker scene) to the luminescent whites and a wide array of primary and secondary hues, colors pop with an intensity that adds a new layer of immersion to the viewing experience. The HDR-10 grade significantly bolsters the visual impact of every scene, making the fantastical elements of the film more tangible and mesmerizing. The contrast is sharp, with bold highlights that provide a dynamic visual texture across the board.

Although "A Wrinkle in Time" on 4K UHD doesn't include Dolby Vision, which could arguably have enhanced its visual presentation further, the HDR-10 enhancement successfully compensates, delivering a picture that is profoundly more vivid and detailed compared to its Blu-ray counterpart. Despite some minor flaws such as slight softness in fine details and occasional color banding, this UHD presentation solidifies itself as a commendable upgrade. It not only showcases the technological capabilities of Ultra HD but enhances the film's narrative through its improved visual storytelling, making it a worthwhile addition for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

The Dolby Atmos surround mix in the 4K UHD Blu Ray presentation of "A Wrinkle in Time" is an engaging auditory experience, providing audiences with a layered and dynamic sound field. The mix utilizes the Atmos platform proficiently, incorporating both atmospheric and discrete sound effects overhead that effectively immerse viewers within the story's environments. It excels in positioning effects within the soundstage, successfully translating the on-screen action into a tangible auditory experience. Although it may not be described as an aggressively active Atmos mix, it remains a vividly active one, enhancing the source material effectively and ensuring an entertaining listening session. Especially noteworthy are the seamless integration and movement of audio objects throughout the environment, creating an enriching and encompassing sound experience.

The soundtrack's strength lies in its ability to expand the spatial volume through the use of overhead speakers, notably during large-scale sequences where reverberation and sound manipulation significantly enhance the listening experience. The Atmos track offers an appreciable improvement over the 7.1 offering, delivering refined surround implementation and impressive scenic traversal. Atmospheres from various scenes, like cavernous locales or school playgrounds, are recreated with remarkable clarity and ease, ensuring dialogue remains commanding and clear throughout. Nonetheless, the low-end engagement appears modest, with certain action scenes yearning for deeper bass and punch to fully convey their intensity.

The audio presentation is matched with excellent clarity and fidelity, aligning seamlessly with the visual elements of the film. It appears Disney may have adjusted its mixing approach in response to previous feedback, as this track stands out for its full-bodied and naturally wide soundstage. The mix transitions smoothly between different environments, maintaining a consistent and pleasing spaciousness. While the film’s action sequences do not heavily demand low-end delivery, the Atmos mix competently handles all tasks, emphasizing its capability to adapt and envelop viewers in "A Wrinkle in Time's" diverse sonic landscapes. This presentation not only enhances the viewer's immersion but does so with a convincing naturalism and finesse that elevates the overall auditory experience.

The "A Wrinkle in Time" 4K UHD Blu-Ray’s extras, exclusively found on the accompanying Blu-Ray disc, provide a comprehensive delve into the film's production, featuring a thoughtful array of deleted scenes with optional director commentary, a detailed making-of documentary, an insightful audio commentary track involving key members of the creative team, and a couple of music videos. Particularly enriching is "A Journey Through Time," which unpacks the film's adaptation process, casting, visual aesthetics, and more, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the movie's ambitious endeavor. The deleted scenes add depth to the narrative, giving viewers a glimpse at what could have been. Meanwhile, the audio commentary provides a multi-perspective analysis on the filmmaking process. It's noted that there may be inconsistencies with the inclusion of a digital code, a matter that Disney attributes to random error.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Journey Through Time: An in-depth exploration of the movie's creation, including insights from the director, cast, and crew.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes not included in the theatrical release, with optional commentary by Director Ava DuVernay.
• Audio Commentary: Extensive discussions by key production staff on various aspects of making the film.
• Bloopers: A compilation of humorous outtakes from the set.
• Original Songs/Music Videos: Music videos for songs featured in the film.

A Wrinkle in Time" presented in 4K UHD Blu Ray is a visually captivating experience that notably enhances the emotional depth and intricate world-building of Ava DuVernay's adaptation. This cinematic journey follows the young Meg Murry, played by Storm Reid, who alongside her brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin, embark on an interstellar quest to find her missing father, a renowned scientist who disappeared while researching a revolutionary concept of space travel. Despite the film's deviation from Madeleine L'Engle's original novel—a point of contention for purists—it emerges as a heartwarming narrative of self-discovery, albeit with its fair share of rough edges and peculiarities. The portrayed universe, amplified by the UHD presentation's clarity and vividness, immerses viewers in the lush visual tapestry and the emotional rollercoaster Meg endures, underpinning the story's central message of hope and belief in oneself.

The ensemble cast, led by Reid's nuanced performance and supported by notable appearances from Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling, brings a dynamic energy to the screen. This is further accentuated by Chris Pine’s compelling portrayal of the lost father, whose boundless love anchors the narrative's emotional core. "A Wrinkle in Time" navigates its ambitious scope and fantastical elements with varying degrees of success, interweaving breathtaking visuals with moments of introspective depth. The film’s 4K UHD presentation magnifies these strengths, offering a richer sensory experience that underscores the vibrancy of its other-worldly settings and intricate costumes.

Though the film occasionally grapples with its pacing and narrative cohesion, shifting between grandiose set pieces and intimate character moments, its earnest attempt at weaving together spectacle and substantive themes is commendable. Perhaps aiming for a lofty hybrid of sci-fi wonder and heartfelt drama, "A Wrinkle in Time" in 4K UHD plays out as a sincere endeavor to inspire and awe. Its visual splendor, complemented by spirited performances, positions it as a unique—if somewhat uneven—adaptation that resonates with audiences willing to look beyond its imperfections and embrace its underlying message.

A Wrinkle in Time," despite its ambitious attempt to bring a beloved novel to the screen, falls short of its celestial aspirations. The adaptation strife and somewhat disjointed narrative do little to undermine its inherent warmth, sincerity, and commendable message, elements that might not quiet critics but present a film worth experiencing, especially for those without preconceptions tied to its source material. Disney's Ultra HD Combo Pack does justice to the visual and auditory potential of the film, offering improvements in color vibrancy, depth, and texture clarity over the already impressive Blu-ray version. The Dolby Atmos sound track elevates the viewing experience but requires proper volume settings for optimal enjoyment. The packaging comes complete with all supplemental materials from the Blu-ray version, making it a comprehensive collection for enthusiasts willing to look beyond the film's narrative shortcomings.

The delivery of "A Wrinkle in Time" in 4K UHD format on Blu-ray by Disney showcases a substantial leap in cinematic quality, with noticeable enhancements in visual and auditory elements that fans and newcomers alike will appreciate. Despite the mixed critical reception of the film's adaptation and story cohesion, the technical aspects of this release—especially its color and sound—are high points that cannot be understated. The immersive Dolby Atmos track and heightened visual fidelity underscore Disney's commitment to a superior home viewing experience, although it may not be enough to sway detractors or those seeking a more faithful adaptation of the literary work.

In conclusion, while "A Wrinkle in Time" might not ascend to the expectations set by its source material or fully capture the imagination as intended, Disney's 4K UHD presentation offers a redeeming quality through its audiovisual enhancement. This release, recommended for viewers willing to embrace the film's core message and technical merits, serves as a testament to the potential of home cinema to enrich even the most contested adaptations. Whether this package can change hearts and minds is uncertain, but it certainly provides a vivid, sonically rich canvas for those open to the experience.