Crank 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD presentation of "Crank" on Lionsgate with a 2160p transfer distinguishes itself significantly from its 1080p Blu-ray counterpart, offering a markedly different viewing experience tailored to enthusiasts aware of the film's unique amalgamation of various video qualities, ranging from standard definition to high definition. The transition to 4K UHD corrects previous aspect ratio inaccuracies, presenting the film in 1.85:1 and ensuring a more faithful representation. Despite inherent challenges in elevating a film shot on mixed media to 4K standards, this edition strives to achieve a visual presentation that leans closer to traditional film aesthetics, with a consistent grain overlay and an overall darker tone. However, detail levels and color reproduction face inevitable inconsistencies given the original elements, leading to variable sharpness and a palette that benefits modestly from Dolby Vision enhancement, offering moments of improved vibrancy but also hues that occasionally appear oversaturated or unnaturally influenced by the enhancement process.

HDR rendering introduces both highlights and drawbacks, with increased luminosity and contrast often tipping the scales towards an overly “hot” visual experience, detracting from the intended cinematic quality. Black levels gain depth, yet are marred by crush in darker scenes, obscuring finer details. The Dolby Vision HDR upgrade endeavours to inject a richer color spectrum, notably enhancing primaries and providing a semblance of the frenetic, albeit darkly comic, energy of the film. Yet, it falls short in delivering a comprehensive upgrade over the SDR presentation, as noted in discussions of skin tones and environmental textures which, while occasionally showcasing improved definition, frequently succumb to the limitations of their original resolution levels.

These technical endeavors notwithstanding, the 4K UHD presentation of "Crank" is fraught with complications stemming from its source material diversity. Despite the inclusion of high dynamic range color, the overall effect is one that may not uniformly appeal to all viewers. The blend of different resolutions exacerbates issues like noise and detail inconsistency, leading to a presentation that, while occasionally offering glimpses of enhanced clarity and depth, primarily highlights the limitations inherent in upgrading a stylistically complex and technologically varied film to 4K standards. Admirers of "Crank" may find interest in the unique characteristics of this version, but should temper expectations regarding the extent of improvement over its HD predecessor.

The Dolby Atmos surround mix of "Crank" on 4K UHD Blu-ray delivers a genuinely thrilling auditory experience, capitalizing on the Atmos platform's capabilities to immerse viewers with well-placed audio objects and atmospheric sounds. The mix utilizes overhead and discrete effects alongside the music to craft an engagement that feels both comprehensive and satisfying. Notable are the overhead pans and several sequences where the integration of sounds creates a cohesive listening environment, elevating the film's viewing experience by complementing onscreen events with an enriched depth of field.

The sonic fidelity and dynamic range of this release are exemplary, with the design intentionally cranked up for maximum impact—characteristics that stand out in the turbulent set pieces and contribute to a pulsing score that frequently fills the surround channels. This upgrade from its predecessor, which surprisingly offered 7.1 despite being advertised as LPCM 6.1, is notable in its consistent surround activity with regular engagement of the Atmos channels from the beginning. Despite its comparative loudness, vocal priorities are well-managed, ensuring dialogue clarity amidst the busiest scenes, while the bass provides adequate weight to the action-packed visuals.

However, the transition to 4K UHD and Dolby Atmos does not significantly outshine the original uncompressed PCM track in terms of aural upgrade. While still excellent, the Atmos mix doesn't fully exploit the potential of ceiling channels for a truly enveloping soundfield. Moments meant to showcase these elements rather highlight their underutilization, detracting from an otherwise immersive experience. Although imaging is broad with clear vocals and powerful low-frequency effects, the narrow mid-range and occasional focus on localization over immersion suggest that while this release pushes boundaries, it doesn't quite redefine them.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Crank" not only upgrades the movie experience but adds a substantial package of extras that have been mostly transitioned from its previous Blu-ray edition. Lionsgate ensures that enthusiasts get a comprehensive peek behind the scenes, despite the recycling of bonus materials, which might dampen the excitement for those expecting brand new content. These extras are available on both the Ultra HD disc and the included Blu-ray, maintaining consistency across formats. Included are featurettes ranging from the digital shooting techniques to the adrenaline-pumping stunts, alongside innovative marketing strategies used for the film's promotion. Moreover, with inclusion of insights from Comic-Con and various other stories from the cast and crew, the package attempts to offer a rounded view of "Crank's" production journey. However, it's worth noting that two touted "new" additions aren’t exactly fresh, having been featured on previous releases, which might leave some fans craving more.

Extras included in this disc:

• Shooting Crank: Focuses on the digital shooting techniques and innovative filming.
• The Stunts of Crank: Covers the stunts, including behind-the-scenes looks at key action scenes.
• Pushing Crank: Discusses the marketing strategies used for promoting the film.
• Crank @ Comic-Con: A 2006 Q&A session highlighting the action filmed in-camera.
• More Stories from Crank: Various tales from the making of "Crank" by directors and cast.
• Crank'd Out Movie Mode PiP Commentary: Offers in-depth commentary throughout the film.
• Trailers: High-definition trailers of "Crank".
• Digital Copy: A redeemable code for a digital version of the movie.

Crank," directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, propels viewers into an uproarious realm where action, comedy, and thriller elements blend to create a uniquely energetic cinematic experience. Released in 2006, the film thrusts Jason Statham into the role of Chev Chelios, a hitman who finds himself under the lethal effect of a poison that demands constant adrenaline to stave off. Drawing on the raw pulse of an 'Energy Drink' genre, its narrative parallels the relentless pace of films like "Speed," yet infuses its own brand of manic, over-the-top antics that demand not to be taken too seriously. With every scene designed to keep one's pulse racing, both through absurdly exhilarating action sequences and doses of dark humor, "Crank" stands as a testament to a genre defiant of categorization, an adrenaline-fueled joyride that revels in its own audacity.

The film's technical feats are no less noteworthy. Shot on location in Los Angeles, Neveldine and Taylor's dynamic directorial debut is accentuated by innovative camera work and editing, capturing Statham's electrifying performance with a raw energy that mirrors the protagonist's frantic quest for survival. Statham, performing his own stunts, adds a layer of authenticity to the frenzied proceedings, enhancing the movie's allure through palpable risk and determination. The production's choice to engage both lead actors and viewers in a relentless chase against time not only underlines the narrative's urgency but also showcases a bold approach to action filmmaking.

While "Crank" might polarize with its unapologetically chaotic spirit and lurid escapades, it undeniably carves its niche with flair. From high-speed chases to adrenaline-induced exploits, it leverages its "Red Bull" ethos to full effect, delivering a cinematic experience that is as much a visual marvel as it is an affirmation of Statham's action star prowess. As it joins the ranks of Lionsgate's 4K UHD releases, the film's distinctive appeal is further magnified, offering an enhanced viewing that promises to captivate newcomers and longtime fans alike with its amplified zaniness and stylistic grit.

Crank," the electrifying action-comedy thriller, has finally made its way to Ultra HD Blu-ray, courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment. This release aims to capitalize on the film's unique charm and adrenaline-fueled antics with a promising package that includes both legacy and new bonus material, a solid Dolby Vision HDR Ultra HD video presentation, and an immersive Dolby Atmos audio mix. Whether because of its genre-bending narrative, Jason Statham's unforgettable performance as Chev Chelios, or simply its reputation as a cult classic, expectations were understandably high for this release. However, the transition from 1080p Blu-ray to 4K UHD presents a mixed bag, with noticeable differences in video quality raising some eyebrows among enthusiasts and fans alike.

The general consensus among viewers and critics is that while the audio experience has seen a significant improvement—thanks to the Dolby Atmos track—the video upgrade does not live up to the anticipation, often failing to outshine its Blu-ray counterpart. This aspect appears particularly crucial for a film like "Crank," where the visual experience is integral to its high-octane storytelling. Despite this, the package's inclusion of new featurettes and superior sound quality may offer some consolation to die-hard fans or collectors invested in amassing a comprehensive 4K library.

In conclusion, the release of "Crank" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands as a bit of a curiosity within the home entertainment landscape. While it brings to the table an enhanced auditory experience and additional bonus content, the visual presentation does not mark a significant step up from previous versions, prompting considerations of its value proposition, especially for those who already own the film on Blu-ray. Consequently, this release might best be approached as a special interest purchase for ardent fans of the film or completists of the format rather than a mainstream upgrade. Regardless, its existence underscores the enduring appeal of "Crank" as a uniquely off-kilter cinematic adventure, even if the technical leap to 4K isn't as groundbreaking as one might hope.