Captain Phillips 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
SteelBook
Score: 93
from 5 reviewers
Review Date:
A visually stunning and immersive 4K UHD upgrade with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio, despite no new extras from the Blu-ray release.
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Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
DTS-HD MA
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 96
Captain Phillips' 4K UHD Blu-ray is a remarkable upgrade from its 1080p counterpart, featuring enhanced details, refined grain, and enriched HDR with Dolby Vision. The improvements are especially noticeable in facial details, black levels, and color fidelity, preserving the film's raw authenticity and intricate cinematography.
Audio: 99
Captain Phillips' 4K UHD Blu-ray features a Dolby Atmos mix that significantly enhances the already impressive 5.1 DTS-HD MA track, offering an immersive and expansive soundstage with nuanced directional cues, vibrant surround activity, robust LFE support, and crystal-clear dialogue. This evolution delivers a truly captivating auditory experience.
Extra: 77
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of 'Captain Phillips' offers no extras on the 4K disc but includes a comprehensive set of special features on the accompanying Blu-ray from the 2014 release: a detailed commentary by Director Paul Greengrass and a substantial 58-minute making-of documentary, 'Capturing Captain Phillips.'
Movie: 96
The 4K UHD release of *Captain Phillips* is widely praised for its powerful true-life narrative, exceptional performances by Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi, and its visually impressive, authentic cinematography. The film masterfully balances gripping action and emotional depth, offering a near-documentary experience enhanced by Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio.
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Video: 96
Sony's 4K UHD release of "Captain Phillips" is a masterclass in preserving and enhancing the film's original visual intent. Utilizing a mixture of 35mm and 16mm film, as well as various digital cameras, the HEVC H.265 encode ensures that every frame is rendered with unparalleled clarity. The 2160p resolution offers a formidable uptick from the previous Blu-ray release, delivering exceptional precision in facial details, fabric textures, and environmental nuances. Even intricate elements such as sweat, blood, and grime appear meticulously detailed, bolstered by a grain structure that remains true to the filmic source material without introducing unwelcome noise.
The Dolby Vision HDR significantly elevates the viewing experience, providing deeper, more nuanced black levels that maintain shadow detail without crushing. Barry Ackroyd's cinematography benefits immensely from this enhancement, with the HDR process lending dynamic range to both the sun-seared daylight and the inky blackness of nighttime scenes. The film's color palette, primarily earthy tones with accents of oceanic blues and ironclad greens, is richly rendered without appearing oversaturated. Primaries such as the bright orange lifeboat and the characters' clothing stand out vibrantly, while skin tones remain convincingly natural.
Overall contrast and color reproduction are handled masterfully; whites appear clean and pure, and specular highlights add an extra dimension to sunlight glinting off water and metallic surfaces. The 2.39:1 aspect ratio display ensures no detail is lost in the wider frame, from the fine lines on control dials to the rust patches on the ship's hull. The non-optional subtitles for the pirates' native lines also integrate seamlessly into the high-quality presentation. Whether in brightly lit environments or dark, confined spaces, "Captain Phillips" on 4K UHD is a visual triumph, faithfully capturing the raw intensity of Paul Greengrass' gripping narrative.
Audio: 99
The Dolby Atmos soundtrack for the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Captain Phillips" represents a significant enhancement over the 5.1 DTS-HD MA track praised in previous reviews. The addition of overhead speakers and a wider soundstage expands the listening experience, offering more nuanced directional cues and a heightened sense of immersion. This evolution from the earlier 5.1 mix provides a richer auditory environment, with gunfire, engine roars, and creaking ship noises dynamically engaging the listener. Ambient sounds like rushing water and aging freighter noises are impressively detailed, utilizing the overheads effectively.
The multi-channel Dolby Atmos mix transforms an already excellent surround track into an even more immersive audio experience. Dialogue remains consistently clean and intelligible, standing out clearly amidst a complex blend of directional effects that enhance realism. Scenes like the skiff attacks bring a vivid auditory experience with splashing water, screaming pirates, and counter-measures that assault the senses. The LFE support adds significant weight to elements like gunfire and ship movements, enhancing the dramatic impact without overshadowing other sounds. The track's ambience is consistently engaging, making every scene feel more authentic and involving.
Despite being a character-driven drama, "Captain Phillips" delivers an unexpectedly powerful and engaging Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The sound frequently moves beyond a front-heavy presentation, with surround and height channels actively employed throughout the movie, creating a hemispheric soundfield that immerses the viewer in the middle of the action. From the blast of Navy destroyer horns to the flawless panning of helicopters through overheads, the sound design is meticulous, expanding front imaging into a broad and spacious experience. LFE output supports this with robust, occasionally couch-shaking presence, delivering a well-rounded and marvelously detailed object-based audio mix.
Extra: 77
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Captain Phillips" retains the comprehensive set of extra features initially released on the standard 2014 Blu-ray. These supplements are housed on the accompanying Blu-ray disc, ensuring detailed insights into the filmmaking process, while the 4K disc itself includes only a trailer. Director Paul Greengrass delivers an informative audio commentary, although his presentation style is somewhat subdued. The "Capturing Captain Phillips" documentary, segmented into three parts—Embarkation, Full Ahead, and Stand Fast—provides a thorough exploration of the film’s production. This release also includes a digital copy redeemable via various platforms offering varied audio-visual capabilities.
Extras included in this disc:
- Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass: Insightful, though subtly presented, reflection on the filmmaking process by Greengrass.
- Capturing Captain Phillips: A three-part making-of documentary featuring Embarkation, Full Ahead, and Stand Fast segments.
- Trailer: Promotional content available in HD quality.
Movie: 96
Paul Greengrass’s "Captain Phillips" masterfully combines gripping realism with intense storytelling, crafting a heart-pounding thriller based on the real-life 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama. Tom Hanks stars as Captain Richard Phillips, showcasing one of the best performances of his career as he navigates a harrowing ordeal at sea. As the ship journeys through pirate-infested waters, Phillips and his crew face off against four desperate Somali pirates led by Muse, portrayed compellingly by Barkhad Abdi. Greengrass’s direction, complemented by Barry Ackroyd’s cinematography, places viewers directly in the action, creating an immersive experience that feels almost like a documentary.
The film executes a seamless transition between two distinct narrative halves: the initial pirate invasion and the tense hostage negotiation that follows. The first half captivates with its edge-of-your-seat suspense as Phillips tries to thwart the pirates, while the second half shifts focus to a psychological battle between him and his captors, leading to a dramatic rescue orchestrated by Navy SEALs. Greengrass’s signature docudrama style and his toned-down use of shaky cam techniques enhance the visceral experience without disorienting the viewer, maintaining emotional engagement throughout.
Through meticulous execution and stellar performances, particularly Hanks’s portrayal of post-traumatic stress in the film's closing moments, "Captain Phillips" transcends typical action fare. The authenticity is bolstered further by using actual ships and real sailors in many scenes, grounding the narrative in palpable reality. The portrayal of Somali pirates as individuals driven by dire circumstances adds depth, moving beyond one-dimensional villainy. This complex portrayal ensures "Captain Phillips" remains not only a thrilling ride but also a poignant exploration of human desperation and resilience.
Total: 93
"Captain Phillips" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is an impressive home media release that brilliantly enhances Paul Greengrass's masterfully crafted film. The 4K upgrade offers a stunning Dolby Vision HDR presentation, providing incredibly vivid visuals that significantly improve upon the outstanding 2014 Blu-ray release. The disc captures every tense moment and character nuance with remarkable clarity, bringing the harrowing experience vividly to life. Complementing the visual upgrade is a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that immerses the viewer in the film's gripping soundscape, making every subtle sound and intense sequence feel that much more authentic and compelling.
The performances in "Captain Phillips" remain exceptional, with Tom Hanks delivering one of his best roles as the titular character, and Barkhad Abdi offering a formidable and memorable breakout debut as the chief pirate. The combination of these performances with Greengrass's directorial finesse and Billy Ray's meticulous screenplay ensures that the narrative unfolds with palpable tension and emotional depth. Despite the lack of new special features, the existing "meh" extras from the previous Blu-ray release are sufficiently engaging to provide additional context and background to this outstanding adaptation of real-life events.
In conclusion, ten years on, "Captain Phillips" still receives a solid thumbs up for its gripping storytelling and exceptional performances. Sony’s 4K UHD disc is a fantastic upgrade with its stunning video and expansive audio, though it falls short in offering new extras. Nevertheless, this release remains highly recommended as an upgrade for fans and a worthy addition to any 4K collection. Act fast on this limited edition to avoid missing out on this remarkable enhancement of an already extraordinary film. Technical Specifications: Starring: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Catherine Keener. Directed by: Paul Greengrass. Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 HEVC. Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core), DTS-HD MA 5.1. Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish. Rated: PG-13. Runtime: 134 Minutes. Blu-ray Release Date: July 16th, 2024.
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 90
At the end of the day, Sony took an already great Blu-ray and amped it up a good bit in the video department, showing us the glory of 4K and all of the little improvements that it provides....
Audio: 100
But all joking aside, this supplants the 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix and expands upon it, giving us a wider sound stage, with more nuanced directional cues and the great addition of the overhead speakers....
Extras: 40
...
Movie: 90
Back in 2013 I remember all of the controversy thrown up over who was the villain or hero here, with the crew of the Alabama freighter claiming that the real life Richard Phillips was negligent in his...
Total: 90
Sony’s 4K UHD looks and sounds great, adding a brand new 4K remaster, a new Dolby Atmos track, but sadly no new extras (the Blu-ray sports the same “meh” extras that we’ve had for the last 10 years)....
Blu-ray.com review by Kenneth BrownRead review here
Video: 100
The upgrade offered by Sony's 2160p 4K release of Captain Phillips might not be readily apparent at the start, but it represents a formidable uptick in quality; one that features perfectly refined grain,...
Audio: 100
Meanwhile, LFE support brings tremendous weight and presence to everything from the ship to gunfire, the latter of which borders on being too loud but is that much more effective for it....
Extras: 60
The 4K Blu-ray release of Captain Phillips includes all of the extras first made available on the film's 2014 standard Blu-ray release....
Movie: 100
Adding, "the contrasting worlds, the building pressure, the excitement, the uncertainty, and the culminating catharsis of it all in one of the most powerful and precisely acted end scenes in cinema history...
Total: 90
It's barely a film and more of an experience, one that unfurls on the screen with (what feels like) wicked abandon but is so masterfully crafted and perfectly penned, helmed and performed that it makes...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
Facial complexions appear natural and true to the climate, revealing individual pores and wrinkles, making this 2.39:1 image a gorgeous upgrade from its HD SDR predecessor....
Audio: 100
Although it mostly remains a front-heavy presentation, delivering the dialogue with outstanding clarity and intonation in each performance, the surround and height channels are consistently employed and...
Extras: 40
For this UHD edition, Sony ports over the same set of supplements as before, but they are all housed on the accompanying Blu-ray disc, which appears to be identical to the 2014 release....
Movie: 100
With cinematographer Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker, The Big Short) behind the camera, the plot organically unfolds with an impartial and impersonal eye, placing the audience as eyewitnesses to the events,...
Total: 80
The same set of bonuses from the Blu-ray previous release are ported over, but overall, the two-disc SteelBook makes for a notable, Highly Recommended addition to the 4K library....
Home Theater Forum review by Todd ErwinRead review here
Video: 100
The major improvement over the ten year old Blu-ray release (also included in this set) is in contrast, particularly black levels that now retain strong shadow detail compared to the occasional crushing...
Audio: 100
Another big improvement over the 2014 Blu-ray release is the Dolby Atmos soundtrack which really puts the viewer dead center in the action, quite noticeable early on during the opening scenes in Somalia...
Extras: 70
UHD Disc Theatrical Trailer (1080p; 2:27) Blu-ray Disc This is the same disc as the 2014 Blu-ray release....
Movie: 90
As with so many action films which are based upon real events, Captain Phillips is less about the story’s ending than it is about the fascinating details of how a modern, huge cargo ship was hijacked by...
Total: 90
Both the high dynamic range of the picture and Dolby Atmos audio really immerse the viewer in this thrilling, based on true events, film....
Why So Blu? review by Aaron NeuwirthRead review here
Video: 100
Given the nature of Greengrass’ filmmaking style, while the film may have a sort of grainy look to go along with the cinematography that is either scorched with sunlight or covered in the darkness of nighttime...
Audio: 100
Plenty of work goes into the various settings, with the film supplying so much music, sound effects, dialogue, and more to fill out the audio levels....
Extras: 70
The 4K disc features no extras outside of a trailer, while the Blu-ray copy of the film features the same features originally made available....
Movie: 90
Moreover, the fact that he can have the camera track all the action in this type of format while on the ocean and keep the viewer invested on an emotional level, rather than have them become seasick, is...
Total: 90
It’s a tense and exciting action-thriller that absolutely delivers on a dramatic front as well....
Director: Paul Greengrass
Actors: Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman
PlotRichard Phillips commands a U.S.-flagged container ship, the MV Maersk Alabama, bound for Mombasa, Kenya, loaded with cargo. With a vigilant eye for potential danger, Phillips enforces strict security measures among his crew, aware of the piracy threats off the coast of Somalia. Despite all precautions, while sailing near the Somali coast, the ship is chased and eventually boarded by a small group of armed Somali pirates seeking ransom and riches.
The pirates, led by a man named Muse, navigate the ship's tight corridors as Phillips and his crew execute strategies to hide and delay the invaders’ intentions. As the situation intensifies, Phillips offers himself as a bargaining chip to protect his men, and an uneasy relationship forms between captain and pirate leader. The pirates demand millions in ransom, and the U.S. government responds with naval might, setting off a high-stakes standoff on the high seas.
Writers: Billy Ray, Richard Phillips, Stephan Talty
Release Date: 11 Oct 2013
Runtime: 134 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English, Somali