The Bourne Ultimatum 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Bourne Ultimatum" is a commendable effort that brings a slight, yet noticeable, upgrade to the franchise's visual presentation. Though emanating from a 2K digital intermediate, thereby making it an upscale rather than a true 4K rendition, the film retains a charmingly film-like quality with a light grain structure that enhances the detailing. This is particularly evident in natural elements like skin textures and clothing, where the uptick in definition over the standard Blu-ray version ranges from subtle to fairly substantial. Further, it maintains the inherently softer filmed image of its predecessors, without attempting to over-sharpen or artificially enhance what was originally captured on film.

The HDR color grading on "The Bourne Ultimatum" does not drastically shift the movie’s aesthetic tone as seen in its predecessor, but rather opts for a more refined calibration. This modification results in a darker, more balanced color palette. Skin tones are corrected to appear less pasty, and the overall colors benefit from nuanced enhancements, though the contrast range variation is more restrained. Black levels are described as adequate, ensuring that the more naturally balanced skin tones and absence of significant source or encode flaws contribute to a more faithful and refined viewing experience compared to its series counterparts.

Reflecting on the specific visual styling of "The Bourne Ultimatum," the consistency in appearance established by its sequels is maintained, albeit with some scenes suffering from soft images and grainy textures reminiscent of flashbacks. Despite these visual cues that might seem dated by contemporary standards, segments set in vibrant locales like Tangiers and even the more subdued New York City settings demonstrate an appreciable level of detail. This is most evident in high-octane chase sequences, where the film’s visual fidelity shines, capturing intricate background details and offering a more immersive experience. Ultimately, while it may not represent the pinnacle of what the UHD format can achieve, this release stands out for its faithful enhancement of the original film's visual essence.

The audio presentation of "The Bourne Ultimatum" on 4K UHD Blu-ray showcases a DTS:X soundtrack that is as aggressive and immersive as its predecessors, offering an all-encompassing sonic experience. The soundstage is heavily saturated with an unyielding bombardment of music and effects, aggressively engaging every speaker to create a dynamic audio environment. Despite this, the audio mix maintains exceptional clarity, from the booming music that saturates the full stage and engages with deep bass and surround support to the potent and authoritative gunfire and impactful atmospherics. The heavy surround support, combined with deep bass, takes up the entire stage, including the top layer, creating a comprehensive bubble of Bourne's audio landscape.

Dialogue remains crystal clear and well-prioritized against the backdrop of the movie's chaotic moments, ensuring that every word can be heard distinctly amidst the bustling backgrounds or intense action sequences. The mix effectively transforms the listening area to reflect various locales within the film, from busy airports with overhead public address announcements to the mechanical sounds of shifting billboards, immersing viewers in Bourne's globe-trotting adventures. Additionally, the flashback scenes and radio calls are enhanced with deliberate audio panning, adding depth to the narrative through sound.

Apart from the impressive DTS:X track, "The Bourne Ultimatum" also offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix, a DTS Headphone:X track, and Spanish and French DTS 5.1 tracks, providing a range of listening options to suit different setups and preferences. The film’s sound design is demo material through and through, pushing home theater systems like the Marantz SR6011 to their limits with its dynamic range and meticulous detail in soundscapes across varied environments, from the intensity of Moscow and Tangiers to the bustling streets of New York.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "The Bourne Ultimatum" primarily features an audio commentary by Director Paul Greengrass as its sole extra, carried over from previous releases. Despite this limitation on the UHD disc itself, the bundled 1080p Blu-ray compensates with a more robust selection of extras. Greengrass, known for his articulate and comprehensive narration, dives deep into the film's technical aspects, story intricacies, and production challenges, including contentious reshoots and multi-location shoots. Additional content includes featurettes that dissect key action sequences and locations across Moscow, Paris, London, Madrid, and Tangier, delivering an engaging blend of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. Deleted scenes offer extensions primarily around the CIA elements and Jason Bourne's backstory, while the "Be Bourne Spy Training" interactive game provides a unique, albeit repetitive, way to engage with the film's narrative. An iTunes/UV digital copy code is also included, enhancing the purchase's value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Paul Greengrass discusses the making of the film.
• Deleted Scenes: Extended scenes focusing on the CIA and Bourne's transformation.
• Be Bourne Spy Training: An interactive game that tests viewers' attention to detail.
• Man on the Move: Jason Bourne: A travelogue featurette exploring various filming locations.
• Rooftop Pursuit: Focus on the execution of the rooftop chase sequence.
• Planning the Punches: Analyzing the choreography of fight scenes.
• Driving School: A look at the vehicular stunt preparation.
• New York Chase: Behind-the-scenes of the New York chase sequence.

Universal’s release of 'The Bourne Ultimatum' onto 4K UHD Blu-ray breathes new life into the franchise’s third, and arguably most thrilling chapter. Fans and newcomers alike are treated to a visually and audibly enhanced journey alongside Jason Bourne, as he delves deeper into the mysteries of his past while evading the advanced clutches of his enemies. With the inclusion of a DTS:X audio track, every foot chase, explosive set piece, and terse dialogue exchange resonates with an intensity befitting the high stakes of Bourne’s on-the-run lifestyle. This exhilarating installment not only benefits from the technical upgrade but also reinforces the character-driven storyline that sets 'The Bourne Ultimatum' apart from its predecessors.

Upon revisiting the film, one cannot help but appreciate the intricate web of global intrigue that it weaves, stretching from the cold streets of Moscow to the vibrant chaos of Tangier. The narrative thrust, driven by Bourne’s unyielding search for truth, achieves new depths of emotional investment and narrative coherence in this viewing. The performances, especially Matt Damon’s portrayal of Bourne, alongside Julia Stiles’ expanded role as Nicky Parsons, inject a human element into the adrenaline-pumping action. Despite some narrative shortcuts and the occasionally disorienting effect of the shaky cam technique, these elements do little to detract from the overall impact of the story, which smartly builds towards a satisfying yet open-ended conclusion.

Technical improvements in this 4K UHD release further highlight the film's detailed action sequences and exotic locales, making 'The Bourne Ultimatum' not just a standout chapter in the Bourne series but a definitive action thriller experience. The disc’s presentation offers an impeccable visual upgrade with its 2160p transfer, ensuring that whether it’s the gritty realism of European streets or the kinetic energy of a Moroccan chase scene, each frame is rendered with stunning clarity. Though the supplementary content remains unchanged from previous releases, the technical prowess displayed here focuses squarely on delivering an unparalleled movie-watching experience, ensuring that this iteration of 'The Bourne Ultimatum' is essential viewing for fans of cinematic craftsmanship and gripping spy narratives.

The Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "The Bourne Ultimatum" stands as a definitive improvement over its predecessors, striking an impressive balance between heightened resolution and vivid color enhancements. This particular installment of the franchise has been revered for its audio quality, which is notably aggressive and enriches the viewing experience substantially. Fans of the series will also appreciate the inclusion of all legacy extras from the initial Blu-ray release, ensuring that no significant supplemental content is missed out on. This release is highly recommended for aficionados seeking the quintessential version of the film.

Moreover, this UHD version does not just pay homage to the technical brilliance of "The Bourne Ultimatum" but also to its standing within the series and its era-defining action sequences. The addition of HDR10 significantly brightens and enlivens the visual presentation, making every chase sequence more thrilling and every stealth operation more intense. However, it's the DTS:X audio track that steals the show, offering a surround sound experience that is both immersive and exhilarating. This, combined with the visual upgrades, contributes to why this release is among the top catalogue titles to have been brought to Ultra HD Blu-ray.

In conclusion, the 4K UHD release of "The Bourne Ultimatum" is a exemplary package that enhances virtually every aspect of the film’s original presentation. With its superb audiovisual upgrades and the inclusion of valuable legacy content, it offers both long-time fans and newcomers an unmatched viewing experience. While the absence of new supplements might be a slight drawback, the overall quality of this release firmly establishes it as a highly recommended addition to any 4K collection.