22 Jump Street 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "22 Jump Street" delivers a discernible upgrade in video quality over its Blu-ray predecessor, thanks to its 2160p/HDR UHD presentation that impressively showcases improvements across the board. White balance immediately stands out, with whites appearing crisper and more life-like, transforming scenes and enhancing realism, especially noticeable in bright environments and interior lighting conditions. HDR brings a notable balance and intensity to the color spectrum, making primaries pop with depth and brilliance under various lighting conditions, adding a slick and tonally efficient sheen to the entire film. Despite being photographed at a resolution of 2.8K and finished at 2K – similar to the first film – the added textural crispness and clarity, particularly in environmental elements, facial details, and clothing textures, make a substantial difference. Faces and hair, in close-ups, reveal more intimate skin textures and individualized hair strands, elevating the visual experience.

The transfer, while not drastically different from its 1080p counterpart, reveals areas of sharper detail and enhanced clarity, contributing to a more stable and clean presentation devoid of any noticeable noise or artifacts. Scene-specific improvements in depth and color saturation, such as in brightly lit daytime sequences and vivid Spring Break scenes, display cleaner whites, crisper highlights, and deeper blacks. The HDR effect enriches contrast and adds dimensionality, albeit not consistently across all scenes. However, it manages to maintain excellent visibility in shadows and darker areas, providing the action with an appealing cinematic depth.

Where "22 Jump Street" truly shines in its 4K UHD presentation is in the color reproduction under various lighting conditions. The HDR10 presentation breathes life into every scene with fuller, more vibrant primaries, significantly enhancing the visual appeal during outdoor and brightly lit sequences. While some scenes may see only slight improvements in sharpness and detail due to its 2K digital intermediate source, the overall picture quality remains consistent, stable, and free from any problematic artifacts. The cinematography benefits immensely from this upgrade to UHD, especially during dynamic action sequences where colors burst onto the screen with dramatic intensity.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack of "22 Jump Street" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is an assertive, immersive audio experience that, while not breaking new ground, significantly enhances the movie's dynamic range and spatial feel. It adeptly utilizes the Atmos format to produce a sense of spatial expansion, particularly apparent in the use of surround back channels which intensively engage in music, environmental sounds, and action sequences to create a more enveloping experience. Despite the emphasis on horizontal immersion, the overhead channels play a supportive role, enhancing rather than dominating the soundscape with discrete effects. This creates an inviting half-dome stage where dialogue remains crisp and prioritized amidst the chaos, ensuring every joke and line lands with precision. The soundtrack’s blend of tight discrete effects, alongside a well-balanced low-end, yields a cohesive and engaging auditory experience that complements the film’s comedic and action elements.

Diving deeper into specifics, the audio presentation benefits from an impressive dynamic range that shines right from the outset, with the film’s music pumping energy into the room through a robust LFE channel that’s felt across all speakers. Ambient effects are smoothly panned between surrounds and subtly across overheads, though they shy away from creating an all-out immersive concoction typically associated with high-end Atmos tracks. Nevertheless, occasional bursts of activity in the height channels during climactic scenes add a layer of immersion, albeit sparingly. The low-frequency extension is palpable, supporting not just the soundtrack’s bass-heavy tunes but also enhancing the on-screen action with sufficient weight to make explosions and gunshots feel impactful.

The surround sound presentation is notably assertive, with rear channels receiving a substantial workout through consistently energetic music tracks and action sequences. Such engagement ensures an invigorating atmosphere that not only bolsters the film's spirited moments but also maintains ambient consistency. Meanwhile, dialogue reproduction stands out for its clarity and sharpness throughout the film, underscoring the careful mixing that ensures verbal interactions remain front and center. While this Atmos track may not represent the pinnacle of audio innovation, it delivers a well-rounded and enjoyable experience that appropriately supports and amplifies "22 Jump Street's" comedic and action ambitions.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "22 Jump Street" generously supplements the main feature with an impressive array of extras, ensuring fans have plenty to dive into after the credits roll. This edition thoughtfully compiles all the original Blu-ray extras and adds a host of new content exclusive to the 4K release, striking a perfect balance between humor and insightful behind-the-scenes details. Noteworthy are the engaging featurettes like "Big Time Action" and "How to Fight Funny," which delve into the film's action choreography and its seamless blend with comedy, respectively. Alongside these, "Ice Cubed" provides an in-depth look at Ice Cube's character, enhancing the viewing experience with actor insights and production anecdotes. The inclusion of deleted and extended scenes, alongside various trailers and the uniquely humorous "Dick Graze" music video, enriches the package. Additionally, the audio commentary brings viewers closer to the creative process, with the directors and leading duo sharing entertaining narratives and filming experiences. This bundle excels in expanding the "22 Jump Street" universe for both new audiences and returning fans, making it a comprehensive companion to the film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Big Time Action: Insight into the film's action sequences.
• How to Fight Funny: Discussion on blending action with humor.
• Ice Cubed: Focus on Ice Cube's role.
• Dick Graze: A unique music video.
• Constructing Jump Street: Behind-the-scenes of set design.
• Ssshhhh: The Deleted Scene Library: Collection of deleted scenes.
• Jump Street Spring Break: Cast and crew discuss the spring break scenes.
• Inside Whyphy: Examination of the fictional drug.
• Johnny Pemberton's Nonsensical Tour: Set tour with Johnny Pemberton.
• Theatrical Trailers: Collection of movie trailers.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "22 Jump Street," a sequel that daringly plays with its self-awareness, brings forward an impeccable blend of comedy, action, and a surprising depth in character relationships that outshines its predecessor. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has enhanced this fan-favorite 2014 comedy with 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio, augmenting the viewing experience significantly compared to its original release. The addition of new trailers on the UHD disc, alongside a replica of the Blu-ray packed with legacy bonuses, adds significant value for collectors and fans alike, ensuring the physical release matches the high quality of the film's content.

At the heart of "22 Jump Street" are Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum), who embark on another undercover mission, this time infiltrating a college to crack down on a new drug. Their friendship is tested amidst college temptations, showing a genuine, if not awkward, transition into adulthood highlighted by excellent chemistry between Hill and Tatum. The film cleverly mocks its own existence as a sequel through sharp, self-referential humor and perfectly timed gags that resonate well within its Ultra HD presentation. It intricately balances the line between parody and unique storytelling, leaving viewers with a gratifying sense of partaking in an inside joke.

Moreover, the 4K release shines a spotlight on directorial talents Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who manage to create a film that is as visually engaging as it is humorously profound. Scenes like the meet-cute between Jenko and Zook are elevated by the Ultra HD's visual clarity, making every moment pop with more intensity and depth. Despite its meta-commentary on sequels and Hollywood's recycling culture, "22 Jump Street" stands out for its smart twists and heartfelt sentiment beneath the raucous comedy, proving that even within the well-trodden paths of buddy-cop films, innovation and genuine laughs are abundantly possible.

22 Jump Street" storms onto the 4K UHD Blu-ray scene with a presentation that lives up to, if not surpasses, its high-energy, laugh-packed predecessor. Spearheaded by the comedic synergy of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, this sequel not only mirrors the hilarity and undercover high jinks of its former installment but elevates the experience with a top-tier 2160p HDR video quality and an immersive Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The move to Ultra HD offers a visual and auditory enhancement that considerably outshines the Blu-ray version, making it an essential upgrade for fans and newcomers alike. Adding to the allure, this release packs a plethora of special features, including several new supplements exclusive to the UHD edition, thereby rounding out an already enticing package.

Phil Lord and Christopher Miller return to direct this standout sequel, deftly balancing the humor and action that made the original a hit. "22 Jump Street" carries forward the joke of its duplication formula, yet it strikes a chord by testing the bromance of its protagonists amid the backdrop of college life. This seamless blend of comedy, action, and heart, coupled with its technical prowess, crafts a viewing experience that's both entertaining and aesthetically satisfying. The inclusion of a SteelBook option for collectors and enthusiasts aiming to snag both films adds another layer of appeal.

In conclusion, "22 Jump Street" in 4K UHD is unequivocally a must-own. It's a prime example of how a sequel can match its forebear in spirit and humor while embracing advancements in home theater technology to deliver an even more impactful home viewing experience. With its superior video and audio presentation, alongside a generous helping of both retained and newly minted special features, it stands as one of the most definitive comedy releases on the 4K format this year. Whether you're revisiting or discovering the uproarious escapades of Hill and Tatum's dynamic duo, this Ultra HD release promises and delivers a thoroughly enjoyable and technically splendid watch.