Underworld: Blood Wars 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 71
from 5 reviewers
Review Date:
Underworld: Blood Wars disappoints yet shines in 4K A/V quality.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Atmos
DTS-HD MA
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 73
Underworld: Blood Wars' UHD Blu-ray presentation enhances detail and textures with nuanced improvements in color and HDR, despite its intentionally dark and monochromatic aesthetic.
Audio: 86
The Dolby Atmos track on the UHD enhances the immersive experience with wide separation, dynamic effects, and deep bass, outperforming the DTS-HD MA 5.1 on Blu-ray.
Extra: 55
Underworld: Blood Wars extras explore character evolution, behind-the-scenes insights, and the film's production, reflecting a blend of fan service and detailed craftsmanship.
Movie: 39
Underworld: Blood Wars recycles tired plots in a stale franchise, offering little novelty or development, and struggles to justify its existence.
Video: 73
Underworld: Blood Wars" makes its mark on the 4K UHD Blu-ray format with a presentation that showcases the strengths of high-definition optical media, particularly through its true 4K (2160p) resolution delivered via an HEVC/H.265 encoding, which is impressively faithful to the film’s original digital capture using Red Weapon Dragon cameras capable of 6K resolution. This disc retains the movie’s native aspect ratio of 2.40:1 and supplements its video quality with 10-bit depth, a wide color gamut (WCG), and high dynamic range (HDR) support that offer a palpable improvement over its Blu-ray counterpart, especially when viewed on equipment sensitive to these enhancements, like a Panasonic 65DX902B Ultra HD 4K TV paired with a Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray player.
The stygian aesthetic of "Underworld: Blood Wars," characterized by its somber palette primarily composed of dark hues, benefits significantly from HDR, improving depth in shadows and highlighting minute details that were previously lost in darker scenes. This enhancement brings to life the gothic castles, intricate costume designs, and the characteristic blue glowing eyes with a newfound clarity and depth not seen on the Blu-ray version. However, it is worth noting that while sharpness and detail see a notable upgrade — with textures in clothing, environmental backdrops, and facial features becoming more discernible — the film's inherently dark color grading translates to a presentation where the advantages of WCG are less immediately evident but nonetheless contribute to a more nuanced color representation, particularly in scenes featuring intense whites and blues.
Despite these improvements, certain limitations persist, such as minor issues with banding in scenes with stark light contrasts and a tendency towards slightly paler black levels that might detract from the film’s visual depth in some instances. Moreover, while the UHD version offers enhanced detail and texture fidelity across a range of scenes, from the elaborate gothic scenery to the more intimate character close-ups, this comes at the compromise of dimming some of the finer details in the darkest parts of the frame due to the movie's heavy reliance on shadowy environments. Nevertheless, specular highlights are noticeably improved, granting a more realistic sheen to various elements like Selene’s latex outfit and other reflective surfaces, thereby providing a measured but definitive step up from the standard Blu-ray presentation.
Audio: 86
The audio presentation of "Underworld: Blood Wars" on its 4K UHD Blu-ray edition is a formidable showcase of the Dolby Atmos format, offering a significant enhancement over its Full HD counterpart's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. The Dolby Atmos track provides an immersive experience with its active use of audio objects that range from atmospheric sounds, discrete effects, and music, delivering a tangible level of immersion that nicely complements the onscreen action. Notably, the mix generates a noticeable improvement in dimension and depth of field, especially during the first act and the film’s action sequences, by conveying the expanse of both interiors and exterior venues with an enveloping ambience and precisely placed effects. This is further complemented by demo-worthy sequences such as thunder in the distance and echoes of Lycan growls, ensuring a highly satisfying 360° soundfield. The score bleeds into the front heights, creating a half-dome wall of sound that enhances many scenes, particularly those with environmental elements like rain.
The Dolby Atmos track shines in its detailed reproduction and wider sound envelope, featuring thunderous bass and continuous LF effects ranging from gunshot to footsteps, thereby adding a deep presence to the score without becoming overwhelming. The heightened sense of space and movement is evident through the increased activity, depth, and movement in action sequences. Dialogue remains prioritized and natural throughout, firmly centered but complemented by off-screen conversations that add to the impressive sense of space. The overhead channels are not just for show but contribute significantly to the immersive experience with subtler ambient effects moving into the front heights, thereby enriching the soundscape.
Moreover, this audio mix demonstrates an extensive mid-range that is both dynamic and crisp during chaotic moments, supported by a robust low-end that gives each sound effect – from gunshots to Lycan stomps – a potent feel. The rear channels are actively utilized, filled with a diverse array of sounds that keep the listener enveloped in the action. From ambient moments to intense battles, every direction of the onscreen action is faithfully reproduced around you, making for an engaging and spacious presence throughout the movie. With some moments reaching ultra-low depths, the soundtrack not only provides clarity and audible intensity but also delivers a monstrous improvement over the aforementioned 5.1 track.
Extra: 55
The 4K UHD and Blu-ray release of "Underworld: Blood Wars" features an array of extras that provide a comprehensive look at the making of the film and its place within the franchise. On the 4K UHD disk, viewers can enjoy four visually stunning 'Moments' highlight reels focusing on key characters Selene, Semira, Lycans, and David, in addition to production photos. The bulk of the supplemental materials, however, reside on the accompanying Full HD Blu-ray. These include several featurettes such as "The Evolution of Selene," which explores the development of the lead character across the series, and "Building a Blood War," offering in-depth coverage on the film's production including direction, visual effects, design, and costumes, aiming to tie back to the original's Gothic feel while establishing its own identity. Other extras delve into new and returning characters, the antagonists' complexities, and an animated graphic novel version of the film, enhancing the understanding and appreciation for fans and newcomers alike.
Extras included in this disc:
- Moments: Reels for Selene, Semira, Lycans, and David highlighting key movie segments.
- Cast and Crew: A collection of production photos.
- The Evolution of Selene: Insight into the protagonist's journey throughout the franchise.
- Old & New Blood: Discussion on both returning characters and newcomers.
- The Evil Evolved: Exploration of the film's antagonists.
- Building a Blood War: Comprehensive behind-the-scenes featurette covering various production aspects.
- Underworld: Blood Wars Graphic Novel: An animated rendering of the movie in graphic novel form.
- Previews: Sneak peeks at additional Sony titles.
Movie: 39
Underworld: Blood Wars," the fifth installment in the long-running franchise, struggles to justify its existence amidst a landscape of recycled plots and familiar conflicts between vampires and lycans. Despite inheriting the directorial mantle, Anna Foerster maintains the series' signature aesthetics—leather-clad vampires, gritty lycans, and visually captivating, albeit overused, action sequences—all while failing to infuse novelty or depth into the storyline. The narrative meanders through the motions of internal power struggles, forbidden interspecies relationships, and the perpetual war for supremacy, culminating in an experience that feels both redundant and uninspired.
Character development is painfully absent, with the film relying heavily on the nostalgia of its predecessors rather than offering meaningful progression or emotional engagement. Selene (Kate Beckinsale), once a rich character, is now reduced to a mere pawn in an endless cycle of betrayal and revenge, her journey feeling increasingly hollow with each sequel. The introduction of the Nordic Coven, despite providing a fleeting visual departure from the series' monochrome palette, does little to revitalize the plot or expand the universe in any significant way. Instead, the movie trudges through a familiar dystopia, weighted down by predictable plot twists and a lack of innovation.
"Underworld: Blood Wars" ultimately serves as a testament to the franchise's diminishing returns. It recycles plot elements without offering fresh intrigue or complexity, catering exclusively to die-hard fans rather than broadening its appeal. The absence of compelling character arcs or a coherent narrative renders the fifth chapter forgettable—a mere shadow of its former glory. The film’s heavy reliance on aesthetics and action cannot mask its fundamental deficiencies: a convoluted storyline and a palpable sense of franchise fatigue.
Total: 71
Underworld: Blood Wars," the fifth installment in the Underworld franchise, promises more of the same themes and aesthetics that fans have come to expect, albeit without injecting fresh life into its longstanding vampire versus werewolf narrative. The film’s narrative, centered around a new Lycan leader's quest to destroy vampires and capture Selene for her daughter’s blood, coupled with political machinations within the Eastern Coven, fails to captivate. The introduction of a Nordic Coven does little to rejuvenate the series’ now-typical visual and thematic style. The lack of character development leads to a disconnect, rendering the plot’s twists and battles inconsequential to the viewer. This results in a cinematic experience that may leave audiences disengaged, veering dangerously close to direct-to-video quality despite its attempt to cater to the franchise's dedicated fanbase.
From a technical standpoint, the 4K UHD Blu-ray release by Sony offers a mixed bag. The visual presentation benefits from a 4K DI source, boasting stunning detail and effectively utilizing HDR to enhance its predominantly dark imagery, though improvements over the Blu-ray version are modest at best. Where the release truly shines is in its audio quality; the Dolby Atmos track delivers an immersive auditory experience with substantial bass and well-directed effects, elevating the presentation significantly. However, the supplementary material is notably scant, lacking in substance and failing to add value for fans or newcomers seeking deeper insights into the film’s production or lore.
In conclusion, while "Underworld: Blood Wars" extends the franchise without substantially evolving it, its 4K UHD release showcases technical prowess in audio quality that may appeal to audiophiles and dedicated fans. The film itself struggles to reinvigorate interest or offer novel elements, potentially alienating new viewers with its convoluted story and predictable action sequences. Despite its technical merits, the overall package serves more as a testament to the franchise's diminishing returns than a revival of its former glory.
avforums review by Simon CrustRead review here
Video: 90
It's a noticeable upgrade in all edges and textures compared to Blu-ray What is not so obvious is the colouring; the pallet and grading do not necessarily benefit WCG, at least in first glance, but what...
Audio: 90
Dialogue is mainly centred across the front, sounds good and natural and never lost in the mayhem....
Extras: 50
Disc 2 – Full HD Blu-ray All the extras are culled from a single ‘behind the scenes’ shoot and edited into their respective titles to given an overview of the subject; all contain interviews with cast...
Movie: 50
In this latest instalment the vampires and the lycans are at war, Selene is an outcast wanted by both sides, her daughter is in hiding so that her precious blood cannot be used as a weapon, there are power...
Total: 80
The image, from a 4K DI, is stunning in terms of detail, and HDR benefits the very dark image well, WCG on the other hand is more subtle....
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 80
There's a little more breathing room and separation between darkened objects here, but the movie loses some of its impactful dark-end depth as a result, so the overall verdict is that the UHD is better...
Audio: 90
The effect seems a little overly pronounced in the name of increasing the sense of overhead diffusion, so much so that it sounds borderline tinny (which isn't unusual in an Atmos track), but it's fun and...
Extras: 100
The Evil Evolved (1080p, 6:07): More character exploration, this time featuring Cassius, Semira, Varga, Alexia, and Marius....
Movie: 40
The Underworld universe, which tells the story of the battle between vampires and werewolves that's not fought with fangs and claws but rather slow-motion stylized gunfights, has grown a bit long in the...
Total: 50
Action is bland, story mechanics are convoluted, the movie gives no real reason for the audience to care, particularly the casual crowd....
High-Def Digest review by M. Enois DuarteRead review here
Video: 70
As with the Blu-ray, there is little color to speak of in this deliberately dark and gloomy movie, but the few flashes of blue are electrifying and blood is a scarlet red while gunfire and explosions add...
Audio: 100
Things improve with many of those same effects traveling into the ceiling channels, particularly during fight sequences, and the score reliably bleeds into the front heights for a half-dome wall of sound....
Extras: 20
Building a Blood War (HD, 12 min): The standard EPK-like piece detailing the production, its design, and place in the franchise, featuring cast & crew interviews with lots of BTS footage....
Movie: 40
As the fifth installment of the millennia-long battle between the stylishly gothic undead and the wooly, uncouth werewolf pack, it's highly unlikely the remaining fanbase still willing to pay for this...
Total: 60
Continuing the saga of Kate Beckinsale's death-dealing Selene, the latest entry does not succeed in resuscitating this pulse-challenged series while also not sending it to its final grave....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 82
On occasion, discernible improvements in depth could be seen in wide angle shots such as those taking place in the cavernous northern vampire coven facility or the castle like interior of the elder’s chamber,...
Audio: 96
This is done to very good effect and creates a tangible level of immersion that coincides with the onscreen events nicely....
Extras: 60
Disc 1: Underworld: Blood Wars Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc 2: Underworld: Blood Wars Blu-ray Official Movie Graphic Novel – Interactive Feature The Evolution of Selene – 8 minute featurette Building a Blood...
Movie: 40
Joining forces with allies David (Theo James) and Thomas (Peter Andersson), she embarks on a quest to end the eternal war between the two races, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice....
Total: 70
It comes to Blu-ray in the Ultra HD Combo Pack from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment featuring fair video quality, excellent lossless sound, including a solid Dolby Atmos immersive mix, and a fan friendly...
Why So Blu? review by Brian WhiteRead review here
Video: 90
This obviously wouldn’t be your 4K demo disc of choice here as the color is pretty much non existent thanks in part to the dark blues and gothic feel of it all....
Audio: 100
Fine examples of Dolby Atmos use include, but not limited to the following: a helicopter in the film’s beginning, rain falling, thunderstorms up above, arrows being fired at up above targets, throwing...
Extras: 50
This one looks at the life of the vampires, their evil, secret agendas within and even the new Lycan leader in here....
Movie: 30
It’s an embarrassing exercise in filmmaking and one I truly believe that has drained the franchise out of all its blood, but I said that 2012 too and look at where we’re at now....
Total: 70
I really hope it does too and you’re able to find the good in this Sony 4K release like the A/V presentations....
Director: Anna Foerster
Actors: Kate Beckinsale, Theo James, Tobias Menzies
PlotSelene, a formidable vampire death dealer, finds herself in the crossfire of a brutal war between the vampire and the lycan clans. Despite her illustrious history as one of her kind's most powerful warriors, both sides have turned against her as they pursue her blood for its unique properties – blood that can bestow enhanced strength and invulnerability. As the new lycan leader, Marius, aggressively pushes his werewolf clan's advantage, Selene must confront betrayals and seek out allies in unexpected places to protect herself and the vampire race from certain destruction.
Struggling to cope with the immense losses she has endured, Selene sets out on a quest for vengeance and redemption. Her quest leads her to seek training from an elite vampire coven unyielding in their rules and ways. Meanwhile, the lycan threat grows more powerful with each passing day as they close in on the vampires. With a deepening conflict ramping up on both sides, necessary alliances are formed, and Selene, with the help of her old ally David and his father Thomas, must brave the intense enmity that surrounds her, navigating a maze of conspiracies, treachery, and savage warfare to turn the tide in the immortals’ favor.
Writers: Cory Goodman, Kyle Ward, Kevin Grevioux
Release Date: 06 Jan 2017
Runtime: 91 min
Rating: R
Country: United States
Language: English, Saami