Skyscraper 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Universal's release of "Skyscraper" on 4K UHD Blu-ray in the UK showcases an impressive video presentation. The aspect ratio remains true to its original theatrical release at 2.4:1 widescreen, utilizing 10-bit video depth, Wide Colour Gamut (WCG), High Dynamic Range (HDR), and encoded with HEVC (H.265) codec, further enhanced by Dolby Vision. This upscale from a 2K Digital Intermediate does not hinder the visual spectacle; thanks to sophisticated upscaling techniques and the addition of Dolby Vision, viewers can expect an excellent viewing experience. Details are crisp and clarity is maintained across various distances, offering viewers superior facial close-ups and a textured view of the surrounding environments. The color palette is enriched by fiery oranges, yellows, and reds, complemented by deep blacks, providing a broad dynamic range that greatly benefits the film’s visuals.

Despite being sourced from a 2K digital intermediate, the upscaling to 4K is accomplished with such finesse that the resulting image quality is nothing short of stunning. The presentation excellently manages the balance between dark and light scenes, ensuring that even in the most dimly lit environments, there is no loss in detail. The Dolby Vision HDR adds value by enhancing shadow detail and improving overall color depth, making for an immersive viewing experience. Scenes filled with intense action and vibrant lights demonstrate the strength of Dolby Vision in handling high contrast situations effectively, ensuring that colors remain vivid and blacks deep without sacrificing detail.

Textural detail in "Skyscraper's" 4K UHD presentation is noteworthy. The improvement over its Blu-ray counterpart is tangible, with sharper clarity allowing viewers to observe intricate details such as pores, individual facial hairs, and the nuanced degradation of clothing over the course of the narrative. While mild noise and occasional aliasing are present, they do not detract significantly from the overall quality. This release affirms the advantages of choosing the 4K UHD format for its enhanced textural accuracy and dynamic color grading, providing a compelling reason for viewers to prefer it over standard Blu-ray, despite its origins from a 2K source.

The Universal 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Skyscraper" boasts an outstanding Dolby Atmos track that delivers a powerful and immersive audio experience, perfectly complementing the high-octane visuals on display. The core of the audio presentation is built on a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track that already impresses with its clarity and dynamic range. However, the incorporation of Dolby Atmos elevates the aural landscape to new heights, literally. With a focus on creating an enveloping sound field, the mix meticulously places audio cues in a three-dimensional space, crafting an environment that is as visually soaring as it is sonically boundless. The sound design masterfully utilizes the height channels for a variety of effects, including gunshots, fire spreading, and helicopters circling overhead, adding a tangible layer of depth to the chaos unfolding on screen.

The execution of low-frequency effects is nothing short of spectacular, with the subwoofers consistently engaged in delivering deep, resonating bass that underscores the film's action sequences. Notably, the LFE shines during sequences of destruction and mayhem, such as a helicopter crash and firestorms, where the room-shaking impact fully immerses the viewer in the spectacle. This robust foundation does not overshadow other elements of the mix; instead, it complements them, ensuring clear and intelligible dialogue, even amid the cacophony. Sound effects are given substantial weight and position within the soundscape, creating an authentically textured auditory experience that further draws the audience into the high-stakes drama.

Despite these strengths, some minor criticisms arise, such as the mix being perceived as slightly lower in volume compared to standard levels, necessitating a modest increase in volume for optimal listening. Nonetheless, these moments do little to detract from an otherwise flawlessly prioritized and directional soundscape that excels in both quiet, tender instances and in the midst of explosive, fire-ridden action. The score, while generic to some ears, complements the overall sound design effectively, ensuring that every audio element, from ambient sounds to the most intense action cues, is rendered with precision and clarity. This careful balance maintains the viewer's immersion throughout the film's runtime, making "Skyscraper's" audio presentation a demonstration-worthy example of how to do blockbuster sound right.

The "Skyscraper" 4K UHD Blu-ray extras provide an intriguing but concise glimpse behind the scenes, anchored by a detailed Audio Commentary from Writer/Director Rawson Marshall Thurber. The compilation includes over 30 minutes of Deleted and Extended Scenes, presenting what could have extended the narrative to a more traditional runtime, with most scenes justifiably omitted for pacing. The six mini-Featurettes, albeit brief, offer a superficial look at the film’s production, highlighting Dwayne Johnson's dedication to his role and the unique inspiration behind his character. This selection, while not exhaustive, offers a polished insight into the filmmaking process, demonstrating a considerable effort to package these extras on the 4K disc itself, thus enhancing the viewing experience for fans and collectors alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Scenes not included in the final cut with optional director commentary.
• Extended Scenes: Additional footage with optional director commentary.
• Dwayne Johnson: Embodying a Hero: A look at Johnson's preparation for his role.
• Inspiration: A featurette on the real-life inspiration behind Johnson's character.
• Opposing Forces: Highlights the action sequences featuring the film's female characters.
• Friends No More: Delve into the dynamic between Johnson's and Pablo Schreiber's characters.
• Kids in Action: Focuses on the action sequences involving the Sawyer children.
• Pineapple Pitch: Dwayne Johnson recounts how the movie was pitched to him.
• Audio Commentary: With Writer/Director Rawson Marshall Thurber.

In the towering spectacle that is "Skyscraper," Dwayne Johnson, now a bona fide A-lister formerly known as The Rock, takes on the Herculean task of rescuing his family from a high-tech inferno. This action-packed movie combines elements of classics like "Die Hard" and "The Towering Inferno," albeit without quite reaching the heights of its inspirations. Johnson's portrayal of the physically disabled, yet mentally resilient Will Sawyer is commendable, marking another collaboration with Director Rawson Marshall Thurber. Despite its attempt to stand out by incorporating modern technology and a strong emotional core centered around Sawyer's family, "Skyscraper" often teeters on the edge of cliché, recycling familiar tropes from the action genre with a noticeable lack of originality.

The plot, grounded in its simplicity, has Sawyer framed for a colossal terrorist attack on the world's tallest structure—The Pearl. As he navigates through the flames and faces off against nondescript villains to save his loved ones, the movie occasionally dazzles with high-rise setpieces and a self-aware embrace of its exaggerated premise. However, it struggles under the weight of its ambitions, juggling too many influences without fully committing to any, leading to a somewhat disjointed viewing experience. Notably, attempts to humanize Johnson through his character's backstory and limitations offer a refreshing twist but are overshadowed by over-the-top action sequences and an all-too-familiar narrative.

Despite its flaws, "Skyscraper" still manages to entertain, largely thanks to Johnson's undeniably charismatic presence and a few inventive action scenes. Neve Campbell as Sarah Sawyer delivers a commendable performance, providing a capable counterpart to Johnson's one-man rescue mission. While the film fails to innovate or offer a memorable villain, it's a quintessential summer blockbuster—big, loud, and fun enough for viewers looking for straightforward escapism. As it borrows liberally from its predecessors without reaching their iconic status, it leaves us with an enjoyable yet ultimately forgettable cinematic experience.

"Skyscraper," starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, offers a thrilling albeit unsurprising entry into the world of high-stakes action adventures. Despite its narrative drawing heavily on familiar themes and lacking the novelty one might hope for in such an epic, the film delivers a compelling hero's journey interspersed with moments of genuine entertainment. Universal's UK release of "Skyscraper" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray provides an exemplary home viewing experience, courtesy of its visually stunning presentation. Despite originating from a 2K Digital Intermediate, the Dolby Vision enhancement ensures a near faultless and demonstrably superior image quality, making it a worthwhile investment for fans of visually-driven action cinema. Coupled with the robust and immersive Dolby Atmos audio track, viewers are treated to a sonic experience that complements the on-screen spectacle superbly.

The release does not shy away from adding value through a selection of special features, including an insightful audio commentary that provides an added layer of engagement for fans and newcomers alike. These extra features, remarkably included on the 4K disc itself, enrich the viewing experience, offering behind-the-scenes insights into the film's production process. It is evident that Universal Studios aimed to craft a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release that stands out not only for its audiovisual prowess but also for its comprehensive supplemental content.

In summary, while "Skyscraper" may not set new benchmarks in narrative innovation, its execution in both storytelling and technical presentation ensures it secures a spot as an entertaining, if derivative, addition to the action genre. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release elevates this experience significantly, offering an audiovisual feast that is hard to fault, supported by well-curated extras. For fans of Dwayne Johnson or those seeking a visually captivating and sonically impressive action film for their home library, "Skyscraper" on 4K UHD comes highly recommended.