Crimson Peak 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Arrow Video delivers an impressive 4K Ultra HD presentation of "Crimson Peak" with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer, maintaining the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This release boasts HDR10 and Dolby Vision, significantly enhancing Guillermo del Toro’s intricate use of color and light. Captured digitally by cinematographer Dan Laustsen with Arri Alexa XT cameras and utilizing a 2K DI sourced from NBC Universal, the 4K HDR grading was skillfully executed by Fidelity in Motion, and finalized at Picture Shop, Toronto with del Toro’s seal of approval. Despite being an upscaled 4K master, the transfer exhibits improved fine detail and depth.

The 4K upgrade makes full use of HDR/Dolby Vision capabilities to elevate the film's visual experience. The nuanced gradation between warm yellows and cool blues exemplifies HDR's power to extend both ends of the color spectrum. The prominent sepia tones and vivid crimson hues further illustrate this high dynamic range. Enhanced shadow details are mildly evident, particularly in darker scenes featuring Mia Wasikowska's explorations. Despite inherent softness in CGI elements, the presentation offers increased color depth and sharper imagery than previous Blu-ray iterations, achieving bitrates in the upper 90s without noticeable artifacts.

Overall, "Crimson Peak" on 4K UHD presents a visually enriched experience with deeper blacks and improved contrast. The fine-tuned hues—like Jessica Chastain's crimson dress—display a more vivid presence, while minor details such as breath vapor and mist appear clearer and less noisy. The slight enhancements in detail and sharpening make this a notable upgrade over its 1080p predecessor. With meticulous encoding by David Mackenzie, Arrow Video’s release sets a high standard, delivering a mesmerizing visual feast that does justice to del Toro’s visionary direction.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Crimson Peak" boasts an exceptional auditory experience that mirrors the excellence found in Arrow's prior 1080p release. The DTS:X track engages all audio channels from the outset, with noticeable thudding sound effects seamlessly transitioning overhead and panning front-to-back. The film's baroque sound design is articulated with exquisite precision, ensuring surround sound activities are deftly handled and directionally accurate. Ambient environmental sounds are meticulously placed, contributing to an expansive and immersive sound field. Moreover, panning effects are utilized to significant effect, enhancing the overall auditory experience.

In terms of technical specifications, the audio options include English 7.1 DTS:X, English 2.0 DTS-X for headphone-specific playback, and an English 2.0 DVS track. These choices, combined with optional English SDH subtitles, ensure accessibility and convenience for all viewers. The 7.1 track provides an impressive surround sound setup, with dialogue primarily centralized but occasionally mixed into other speakers to create a more dynamic flow. Sound effects and the evocative score benefit from strategic placement within the surround speakers, delivering striking fidelity and spatial accuracy. The nuanced ambiance and effective LFE elements play a crucial role in lending Allerdale Hall its unique aural character.

Dialogue, sound effects, and the orchestral score are rendered with flawless fidelity, showcasing smart prioritization throughout the film. Each element is given room to breathe within the mix without overshadowing the others, resulting in a cohesive yet rich auditory palette. The comprehensive spatial activity, coupled with engulfing ambient sounds, ensures that viewers are consistently enveloped in the movie's atmospheric soundscape, making this release a definitive auditory upgrade over previous editions.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray extras for "Crimson Peak" offer a comprehensive and richly detailed exploration of Guillermo del Toro's Gothic romance. Highlighting both new and legacy content, the additional materials provide deep insights into the film's creation. The standout feature is the audio commentary by del Toro, which provides invaluable perspective. "The House Is Alive" documentary presents an engrossing blend of cast and crew interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The package also includes a beautifully crafted hardback book featuring essays, interviews with del Toro, and conceptual illustrations. A series of featurettes delve into specific aspects of production design, cinematography, costume design, and set construction. In addition, interviews and visual essays further expand on the film's genre roots and thematic resonance, making this a must-have for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Co-Writer and Director Guillermo del Toro: In-depth commentary on the film.
• The House is Alive: A newly edited documentary with cast and crew interviews.
• An Interview with Guillermo del Toro: Previously unseen Spanish-language interview with English subtitles.
• Allerdale Hall: Four featurettes covering different aspects of set design.
• A Primer on Gothic Romance: Exploration of genre origins.
• The Light and Dark of Crimson Peak: Analysis of the film’s color use.
• Hand Tailored Gothic: Insights into costume design.
• A Living Thing: Detailed look at the Allerdale Hall set.
• Beware of Crimson Peak: Set tour with Tom Hiddleston.
• Crimson Phantoms: Featurette on the film’s ghosts.
• Kim Newman on Crimson Peak and the Tradition of Gothic Romance: Genre analysis.
• Violence and Beauty in Guillermo del Toro's Gothic Fairy Tale Films: Visual essay by Kat Ellinger.
• Deleted Scenes: Five scenes with "Play All" option.
• Original Trailers and TV Spots: International trailer, theatrical trailer, TV spots.
• Image Gallery: Production stills and behind-the-scenes photos.

Guillermo del Toro's "Crimson Peak" is a masterclass in gothic romance and horror, weaving an intricate tapestry of aesthetic grandeur and haunting atmosphere. Set in the late 19th century, the narrative follows Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), who becomes entangled with the enigmatic Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and his unsettling sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain). This relationship ultimately brings Edith to the decaying, blood-red clay-laden Allerdale Hall in England. Del Toro's visual flair is unmistakable, with every frame meticulously crafted to evoke the essence of gothic literature and classic cinema, drawing comparisons to works like "Bram Stoker’s Dracula" and "The Haunting". The sets are drenched in hyper-stylized imagery, from tattered Victorian elegance to almost torturous architectural designs, making the film an immersive visual feast.

However, where "Crimson Peak" excels in visual splendor, it falters in narrative cohesion. The screenplay, co-written by del Toro and Matthew Robbins, is over-ambitious, stuffed with melodramatic elements that detract from its intended high-brow inspirations. The overt supernatural elements strip away the psychological ambiguity that similar films thrive on, leading to a predictable and somewhat superficial plot. Despite strong performances by the cast, inconsistencies in character development and motivation undermine their efforts. Wasikowska balances feistiness and vulnerability without a definitive grip on her role, while Hiddleston oscillates between compassion and calculation. Chastain stands out but is underutilized in a secondary role reminiscent of a gothic archetype.

In summary, "Crimson Peak" is a visually stunning yet narratively flawed venture. It remains an engaging spectacle for fans of gothic horror and romance, reveling in its grand guignol aesthetic but falling short of achieving a cohesive blend of its lofty literary and cinematic influences. This dichotomy arguably reflects the production challenges faced by del Toro, creating an experience that fascinates aesthetically but stumbles narratively.

"Crimson Peak" presents an entrancing visual feast, delivering the characteristic grand and disturbing visions for which Guillermo del Toro is known. Despite the divergence in opinions regarding its narrative—ranging from highly favorable to lukewarm—the film garners unanimous praise for its lush and intricate production design. The new 4K UHD release by Arrow Video enhances these strengths with a technically robust upgrade that maximizes the potential of HDR and Dolby Vision. The meticulous detail and vibrant colors are showcased magnificently in this release, asserting del Toro's visually enchanting narrative style.

While some viewers may find the storytelling elements underwhelming or uneven, the added spectacle of the 4K resolution provides a compelling reason to revisit "Crimson Peak." The film's gothic aesthetics are breathtaking, rendering its world-building immersive and almost tactile. This release includes a wealth of bonus features that were previously available, though no new supplementals for those who already own the 1080p version. However, for those who are experiencing this release for the first time, the extras and Limited Edition packaging enhance the overall value of the set.

Conclusively, while "Crimson Peak" may not wholly satisfy as a narrative endeavor, its visual splendor is unarguably captivating. Arrow Video’s UHD release solidifies its status as a must-have for fans of del Toro and gothic cinema alike. The modest picture improvements coupled with extensive bonuses make this edition worthy of consideration, ensuring it remains a distinguished addition to any 4K collection. Available from Monday, 20th May 2024, "Crimson Peak" is an artwork worth exploring in Ultra High Definition. Recommended for its aesthetic achievements and technical excellence.