Babylon 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Paramount's 4K UHD Blu Ray release of "Babylon" delivers an exceptional visual experience, leveraging its native 4K resolution and Dolby Vision grading to fullest effect. Shot on 35mm and finished with a 4K digital intermediate, the film's transfer is nothing short of stunning. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren's masterful use of light, shadow, and color is vividly rendered here, creating a visual feast bolstered by rich details in facial features, intricate costumes, and elaborate makeup work. The film grain is natural and unobtrusive, enhancing the cinematic texture without introducing noise or artifacts.

The HDR10 and Dolby Vision implementation is outstanding, offering vibrant, deeply saturated colors that make every shade of blue, red, and yellow come to life. Black levels are impeccably deep, adding three-dimensional depth to night sequences and enhancing the contrast without any crushing. Whites are brilliantly crisp, supporting the film's dynamic range. The grand scale of the production translates beautifully on screen, with exceptional depth of field giving each frame a sense of grandeur and epic scale. Movement remains smooth and filmic with no distortions such as blurring or jittering.

Detail clarity is superb throughout, with the BD-100 disc ensuring a high bitrate that maintains consistency and avoids bitrate modulation issues. Skin tones appear natural and consistent, reflecting the warmer, tanned look under the California sun. Fine details like make-up brush strokes, freckles, and intricate textures are captured with crystal-clear precision. Colors are richly romantic, and the overall golden hue of the film is complemented by vibrant reds and glowing HDR effects in night scenes. Overall, Paramount's 4K transfer of "Babylon" stands as a virtually flawless presentation, showcasing Damien Chazelle's chaotic yet beautiful vision in exemplary fashion.

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The Dolby Atmos audio presentation of Babylon on 4K UHD Blu Ray is nothing short of outstanding. The Atmos mix delivers an immersive soundscape that excels in both dynamic and subtle environments. From the boisterous party scenes to quieter conversations, every channel—front, side, rear, and height—contributes to a gratifying auditory experience. Noteworthy is the unique use of height channels; for instance, the sounds from an elephant capture a sonic space rarely explored in film. Scene-specific effects, such as a champagne bottle's impact and various visceral sound effects, are rendered with pinpoint precision. Dialogue remains clear and intelligible even amidst the busiest sequences, ensuring none of Justin Hurwitz’s stellar score is overshadowed.

Music is central to the audio experience, with Hurwitz’s jazz-infused score providing an energetic backbone to the film’s sound design. The score particularly shines by utilizing every available channel. The closing sequence is a prime example where brass sounds dynamically sweep from one channel to another, enveloping the viewer. Additionally, the party scenes and the war film sequences benefit from robust surround usage and effective low-frequency extension, offering substantial depth and a tactile sense of immersion. Auditory elements from different levels—such as voices from above or instruments on balconies—integrate seamlessly to create an authentic sound field.

Babylon's audio track demonstrates excellent dynamics and spatial accuracy, making it one of the most engaging Atmos tracks available. The LFE is particularly notable, adding a satisfying rumble from jazzy brass and drums which livens up the subwoofer. Car engines, smashing effects, and other impactful noises exhibit powerful low-frequency extension that enhances the overall experience. Rear and side channels are employed masterfully, providing rich ambiance and immersive off-screen activity. Across the soundscape, every instrument is discernible with clear separation, ensuring an engrossing auditory experience.

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The extras on the 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of "Babylon" offer a reasonable collection of additional content, particularly highlighted by the standout 30-minute featurette "A Panoramic Canvas Called Babylon," which dives deep into the film’s creation with insightful interviews from director Damien Chazelle, the cast, and crew. The package is elegantly presented in a limited edition SteelBook, making it a collector's item adorned with distinctive visual artwork. Although the segments on costume design and musical scoring are brief, they provide valuable perspectives on the intricate craftsmanship involved. The deleted and extended scenes are compelling but their absence from the final cut is understandable. All supplemental features are conveniently located on the second Blu-ray disc.

Extras included in this disc:

• A Panoramic Canvas Called Babylon: Insights from cast and crew on the film’s development.
• The Costumes of Babylon: Brief exploration of the film's elaborate costumes.
• Scoring Babylon: Overview of Justin Hurwitz’s musical approach.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes: Cut scenes that offer additional context.

"Babylon" transports audiences to the roaring 1920s, where Hollywood's silent film era is rife with decadence and chaos. Damien Chazelle's ambitious epic follows an ensemble cast, including Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, and Diego Calva, navigating the industry's volatile transition to talkies. Pitt embodies Jack Conrad, a silent film superstar grappling with his waning fame amidst personal turmoil. Robbie’s Nellie LaRoy, reminiscent of Clara Bow, is a magnetic figure aiming for stardom by any means necessary, delivering standout moments with bold intensity. Calva’s Manny Torres offers a relatable perspective, his journey through Hollywood’s tumultuous landscape marked by emotional depth and raw ambition.

The film is both a spectacle and a cautionary tale. Chazelle paints a vivid picture with extraordinary cinematography by Linus Sandgren and an infectious score by Justin Hurwitz. Yet, the three-hour runtime often lapses into excess, with graphic displays of debauchery that test viewers' patience. The opening sequence, brimming with vulgarity and vibrant energy, sets a divisive tone that persists throughout. Despite these indulgences, "Babylon" features brilliant vignettes capturing Hollywood's pivotal moments—Nellie’s frantic efforts during her first talkie, Manny’s desperate quest for the only working camera, and Conrad's defense of cinema as art.

Critics are divided; some see "Babylon" as an overextended endeavor that loses itself in shock value, while others admire its audacity and the technical prowess on display. Scenes of unrestrained partying could afford cuts without losing substance. Still, the film's exploration of fame's fleeting nature and its moral complexities provides poignant commentary on Hollywood’s allure and treachery. Performances from supporting actors like Jean Smart and Jovan Adepo add significant depth. While "Babylon" may not universally appeal, its boldness and the meticulous effort behind it ensure it remains a compelling entry in Chazelle’s oeuvre.

"Babylon" is a film that evokes strong reactions, straddling the line between brilliance and excess. Damien Chazelle's direction is energetic, yet sometimes repetitive, which can make the lengthy runtime feel overly indulgent. Despite these criticisms, the film's audacious nature and captivating imagery ensure it never lacks a point, making it a fascinating example of polarizing art. While the film may not attract a universal audience, it’s certainly provocative and demands attention.

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "Babylon" is outstanding. The Dolby Vision transfer is impeccable, offering deep, vibrant colors that enhance the visual spectacle of the film. The Dolby Atmos audio track is equally impressive, providing a rich and immersive sound experience. Although the included bonus features are relatively sparse, the making-of featurette is notably insightful, offering valuable perspectives on the film's creation. Collectors will appreciate the attractive SteelBook packaging, characterized by compelling art inside and out.

In conclusion, this is an attractive SteelBook with eye-catching and compelling imagery inside and outside, front and back alike. The film is so-so, overindulgent, but well made. The UHD is solid. Recommended.