Fury 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Fury" elevates its visual storytelling with a stunning 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release, offering an authentic viewing experience that echoes the grit and valor of war. This release is presented in a native 4K resolution, maintaining the film's original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1. It's enhanced by HDR10 high dynamic range, incorporating a 10-bit video depth that emphasizes a wider color gamut and a properly darkened and detailed battlefield environment. Viewers will appreciate the precision of the HEVC/H.265 encoding, which facilitates a presentation abundant in clarity and detail. Textures, from the intricate landscapes to the meticulously aged uniforms and tanks, showcase remarkable depth and realism. Close-ups reveal an astonishing level of granularity, highlighting everything from facial scars to the nuanced textures of military gear.

The color palette leans towards natural and muted tones, underscoring the film's thematic bleakness but doing so with finesse to avoid washing out the vibrancy of life amidst war. HDR implementation deftly handles the challenging lighting conditions, enhancing contrast and enriching black levels without sacrificing detail in the darkest shadows or brightest highlights. This carefully calibrated blending of colors and contrasts contributes to an image quality that, while subtly improved over its Blu-ray predecessor, offers a noticeably upgraded viewing experience.

Despite its enhancements, the 4K presentation does reveal minor limitations, such as slight banding in select scenes and an ever-so-slight reduction in highlight detail. Nonetheless, these are but minor quibbles within an otherwise exemplary video quality that sets a high standard for home entertainment. "Fury" on 4K UHD not only captures the harrowing essence of its narrative with incredible visual fidelity but also stands as a testament to the technological advancements in home cinema, ensuring that every frame conveys the intended emotional and cinematic impact.

Fury's 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release catapults its audio experience to spectacular heights with a Dolby Atmos track that not only preserves but enhances the intricate sound design of warfare. Anchored in a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core, the Atmos mix delivers a profoundly immersive soundscape. From the rumble of tank tracks and the concussive blasts of artillery to the whizzing of bullets overhead and the ambient sounds of the battlefield, the audio is layered with precision, bringing an unparalleled depth to the viewing experience. Dialogue remains crisp and prioritized amidst the chaos, ensuring that every command and conversation is captured with clarity.

The upgrade from the previously excellent DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack to Dolby Atmos brings a new dimension to the acoustic presentation. The Atmos configuration leverages overhead sound objects and extends the soundstage, unveiling nuances and a dynamic range that were previously constrained. This auditory overhaul not only elevates the detail and width of environmental sounds but intensifies the emotional impact of the film’s intense battle sequences. Tanks and troops advancing under fire, shells shrieking through the air, and the unsettling silence that follows an explosion are rendered with staggering realism, pulling the listener into the heart of the action.

Sony's offering includes a myriad of language options and subtitles, underscoring the global appeal of this reference-quality Atmos mix. The thoughtful integration of ambient sounds and mechanical details of the tank operations, combined with robust LFE channel usage, creates an enveloping atmosphere that is both terrifying and exhilarating. The Steven Price score is woven flawlessly into this acoustic tapestry, enhancing the film's dramatic moments without overwhelming the intricate sound effects. This Atmos presentation is not just an auditory enhancement but a critical layer to Fury’s storytelling, delivering a visceral war cinema experience unmatched in its intensity and immersion.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Fury" is notable for diverging from the common practice of forgoing new extra features, instead offering a robust selection of both new and ported content that enriches the viewer's experience significantly. It includes comprehensive new materials such as "Tanks of Fury", a documentary providing an in-depth look at WWII tank warfare and the film’s production, complemented by featurettes focused on historical accuracy, tank mechanics, and the horrors of combat. The accompanying Blu-ray disc reprises all original extras, including a rich array of deleted and extended scenes, director's insights, and deep dives into the real stories of armored warfare. This dual-disc format ensures that aficionados and newcomers alike have access to a breadth of content rarely seen in 4K releases, making it a distinguished addition to any collection.

Extras included in this disc:

TIGER 131: A documentary on capturing a Tiger tank.

HEART OF FURY: Insights into the crafting of tank interiors and crew roles.

CLASH OF ARMOR: A comparative analysis of Tiger and Sherman tanks.

NO GUTS, NO GLORY: THE HORRORS OF COMBAT: An exploration of the psychological impact of war.

THE TANKS OF FURY: A comprehensive overview of the film's creation and historical context.

TRAILERS: Theatrical previews of the movie.

DELETED & EXTENDED SCENES: Additional footage.

BLOOD BROTHERS: A featurette on camaraderie among soldiers.

DIRECTOR'S COMBAT JOURNAL: Behind-the-scenes with the director.

ARMORED WARRIORS: THE REAL MEN INSIDE THE SHERMANS: Stories of real tank crews.

TAMING THE BEASTS: HOW TO DRIVE, FIRE & SHOOT INSIDE A 30 TON TANK: A guide to operating a tank.

PHOTO GALLERY: A collection of photos from the film.

David Ayer’s "Fury" delves into the grim realities of World War II, encapsulating the horrifying experiences of a Sherman tank crew. With a compelling backdrop set in April 1945, as the Allies make their final push into the heart of Nazi Germany, "Fury" portrays a gut-wrenching narrative. Ayer’s direction focuses on an intimate yet brutal depiction of war through the lives of five men led by Sergeant Wardaddy (Brad Pitt), emphasizing the psychological and physical toll of warfare. The addition of Norman Ellison (Logan Lerman), an inexperienced soldier, to an already battle-hardened crew, amplifies the narrative’s intensity, showcasing the dire consequences of inexperience in a warfare environment where survival seems almost whimsical.

The film's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation elevates this harrowing experience with a significant improvement in picture quality and an immersive Dolby Atmos soundtrack that pulls the viewer right into the heart of the action. Sony’s commitment to enhancing the viewing experience is evident through these technical enhancements and new supplements that contribute to a deeper understanding of the film's production and thematic undertones. Despite being pegged as an intense portrayal of tank warfare, "Fury" struggles to break new ground within the war genre, with Ayer’s usual themes of brotherhood amidst chaos and moral ambiguity threading through his narrative once again.

"Fury" stands as a testament to the gruesome realities of war, stripped of any heroic romanticism, presenting characters that grapple with their morality and sanity. Ayer’s meticulous craftsmanship in capturing the claustrophobic life inside a Sherman tank, coupled with strong performances, particularly from Pitt and Lerman, adds layers to an otherwise straightforward plot. While it may tread familiar ground and suffer from pacing issues, the film’s raw depiction of war's brutality and fleeting moments of humanity amidst desolation makes it a noteworthy watch. The 4K UHD release brings this visceral experience home with an enhanced audio-visual presentation that shouldn't be missed by aficionados of the genre or Ayer's cinematic oeuvre.

Sony's release of "Fury" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray has elevated the gritty, unflinching war drama to a new level of home cinema experience. Starring a powerful ensemble led by Brad Pitt and reinforced by a solid directorial effort from Ayer, "Fury" delves deep into the raw, brutal realities of tank warfare. The 4K Ultra HD version outshines its already impressive Blu-ray counterpart, boasting a native 4K resolution that provides an ultra-sharp image quality. Coupled with HDR10, the visual presentation offers excellent black levels and subtly enhanced, though muted, colors, rendering the bleakness and intensity of warfare with stunning clarity. The auditory experience is equally commendable, with a Dolby Atmos track that brings the immersive soundscape of battle to life through rumbling LFE and precise overhead object placement.

Beyond the film's enhanced technical presentation, this release distinguishes itself with an abundance of extra features. New to this edition are several pieces of previously unreleased content, including the insightful "Tanks of Fury" documentary—a detailed look at the real armored beasts that inspired the film. Such additions, along with the original extras and the inclusion of the film on standard Blu-ray, provide a comprehensive package that will satisfy both newcomers and seasoned fans of "Fury." The meticulous attention to improving the audio-visual quality, combined with a generous array of supplementary materials, positions this release as a must-have for 4K enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "Fury" in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment represents a significant upgrade over previous editions. The film's compelling narrative and character-driven action are given new depth through superior picture quality and an immersive Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The addition of new and legacy bonus features enriches the viewing experience, making this release highly recommended for collectors and those seeking the pinnacle of home video performance. Whether you're drawn to the intense, visceral storytelling or the technological marvels of modern home cinema, "Fury" in 4K is a testament to the power of both.