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Man of Steel

4K Ultra HD

Blu Ray

  • Score
    78
    from 4 reviewers
    Review Date:
  • Man of Steel's UHD offers minor upgrades and Atmos, best for newcomers or sale purchases.

    Man of Steel 4K UHD Blu-ray Front Cover

    Disc Release Date:

    2K Upscale
    HDR10
    Dolby Atmos
    Dolby TrueHD
  • Video
    82
  • Man of Steel's UHD Blu-ray offers subtle but appreciated enhancements over Blu-ray, with fine details on Krypton and HDR highlights, despite a muted palette.

  • Audio
    91
  • Man of Steel's Dolby Atmos mix elevates audio quality, blending immersive action with nuanced quiet moments, offering unparalleled depth and clarity across an expansive soundstage.

  • Extra
    73
  • The UHD Man of Steel set lacks prior extras, shifting key features to digital, but includes engaging content on character evolution, actor training, and VFX, with some unrelated bonuses.

  • Movie
    80
  • Man of Steel on 4K UHD excels in Dolby Atmos, lacks in visual upgrade over Blu-ray; film redefines Superman with a contemporary, darker twist, exploring complex themes and character dilemmas in a real-world context.

    Video: 82

    "Man of Steel" on 4K UHD Blu-ray delivers an image that, while derived from a 2K digital intermediate upscaled to 4K, impresses with its leap in visual quality over its Blu-ray predecessor. The high dynamic range (HDR) implementation enhances contrast, bringing out more detail in the brightest and darkest areas. However, the changes are subtle, with the film's original color palette largely preserved, leading to minor enhancements that might not be immediately noticeable to the casual viewer. For example, the fiery explosions and the vibrant Kansas cornfields display a slight increase in definition and color intensity. Yet, in the heavily CG sequences, such as those on Krypton or during the destruction of Metropolis, improvements are less significant, revealing limitations in the original digital intermediate's resolution.

    The transition to 4K UHD Blu-ray benefits from a HEVC H.265 encoding in HDR10, offering remarkable clarity and detail that brings textures and background elements to life. Close-ups reveal intricate details in facial textures and costume design, particularly the complex textures of Krypton. Despite a stylized cinematography that favors a subdued color palette, resulting in scenes that sometimes verge on monochromatic, secondary hues and interior scenes are richly saturated, showcasing exceptional warmth. However, this meticulous detail is occasionally marred by mild posterization and aliasing issues due to the upscaling process. Moreover, the film's intentional aesthetic choice of a gritty look results in a presentation that doesn't always fully exploit the potential of HDR's wider color gamut.

    Despite these critiques, the 4K presentation significantly enhances "Man of Steel's" visual appeal. Daylight scenes exhibit heightened vibrancy and energy, with improved illumination of specular highlights such as spaceship fires and weapon blasts. The overall brightness and dynamic range provide a more immersive viewing experience, even though black levels exhibit some inconsistency. The presence of grain, while noted by some as a detractor, adds a filmic quality that preserves the cinematic integrity of the original theatrical presentation. In essence, while not a flawless upgrade, this 4K UHD release represents the best home viewing experience for "Man of Steel", blending enhanced detail, depth, and color fidelity to breathe new life into this visually ambitious superhero epic.

    Audio: 91

    The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Man of Steel" notably enhances its auditory experience with the inclusion of a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, pushing the boundaries beyond its previously commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix found on the Blu-ray version. This leap in audio technology allows for a remarkable sense of immersion, with enhanced channel separation that meticulously distributes sound across the entire soundscape. The technical mastery showcases precise imaging and depth, providing a more tangible atmosphere where every sonic detail, from the overwhelming battles of Krypton and Earth to the serene, nuanced moments in the Kent family farm, is rendered with striking clarity and distinction. Notably, the mix elegantly balances bombastic sequences with quieter, emotive scenes, ensuring dialogue remains clear and prominent against the backdrop of Hans Zimmer's compelling score and the rich, environmental sounds that envelop the viewer.

    Moreover, the Atmos mix elevates the cinematic experience by offering a superior dimensionality that actively employs overhead channels, creating a 360° dome-like soundfield that brings unparalleled realism to flying sequences and immersive ambience during calmer moments. The dynamics range impressively between thunderous action and subtle expressions of the film’s more poignant moments, seamlessly transitioning to provide an enveloping aural experience. LFE channels are robust and authoritative, delivering ground-shaking lows during action sequences without overshadowing the intricate mid-range details and high-frequency clarity which showcase individual instruments within Zimmer's score and environmental soundscapes with extraordinary precision.

    Subscribers to this auditory feast are treated to not only an English Dolby Atmos track but also a comprehensive array of language options for both audio and subtitles, catering to a global audience. Despite its magnificence in audio presentation, it's crucial to note that to fully appreciate the Dolby Atmos track's superior quality, an Atmos-capable sound system is required, though a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core is available for systems without Atmos capability, ensuring that even without the technology upgrade, an exceptional audio experience is still attainable. With this release, "Man of Steel" sets a new benchmark for home theater audio presentations, providing a textbook example of how technology can revolutionize the consumption of cinematic art.

    Extra: 73

    The "Man of Steel" 4K UHD Blu-ray package, while promising an abundant selection of extras, ultimately redirects fans to the standard Blu-ray and digital formats for supplementary content, creating a somewhat fragmented experience. Despite this, the extras available are intriguing, particularly “Strong Characters, Legendary Roles” and “All-Out Action,” which delve deep into the characters' evolution and the actors' intensive preparation. Although the notable absence of “Journey of Discovery: Creating Man of Steel” and “Planet Krypton” from the 4K disc is disappointing, the overall offerings still provide a comprehensive look at the making of this modern superhero tale. The inclusion of unrelated extras like “New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth” feels out of place yet whimsically delightful as an Easter egg. Collectively, these features offer a behind-the-scenes look that will appease fans despite the logistical caveats regarding their accessibility.

    Extras included in this disc:

    • Strong Characters, Legendary Roles: A comprehensive discussion on the iconic character's evolution and significance.
    • All-Out Action: Insights into the physical training and stunt work behind the film.
    • Krypton Decoded: Dylan Sprayberry explores the visual effects that bring Krypton to life.
    • Superman 75th Anniversary Animated Short: A quick celebratory tour through Superman's illustrious history.
    • New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth: An unexpected but charming detour into the making of "The Hobbit".

    Movie: 80

    Warner Brothers' release of "Man of Steel" on the 4K UHD format comes as a companion piece to modern superhero cinema, though it brings mixed feelings in terms of technical advancements over its Blu-ray counterpart. While it doesn’t present a significant leap in visual quality, enthusiasts will find the Dolby Atmos soundtrack a substantial improvement, enhancing the auditory experience markedly over the DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix available on Blu-ray. However, this comes at the compromise of excluding the comprehensive suite of special features previously available, delegated now to an Ultraviolet digital copy. This omission may disappoint those who value the breadth of content alongside the film itself.

    Zack Snyder’s direction under Nolan's story umbrella reimagines Superman for contemporary audiences, melding classical elements with fresh narrative strokes to present a character grappling with identity and responsibility in a more nuanced light. This modern interpretation aligns with a broader trend in comic book adaptations towards grounded, character-driven storytelling, reflecting deeper, often darker thematic explorations. "Man of Steel," despite its narrative ambition and innovative visual style, incites divisive opinions due to its drastic departure from traditional portrayals, coupled with a screenplay that struggles at times to balance its philosophical aspirations with compelling character development and coherent editing.

    The portrayal of Krypton, alongside performances by a strong cast including Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, and Michael Shannon, stands out, enriching the lore with depth and emotion. However, the film's pacing and narrative structure have drawn criticism for lacking cohesion and emotional resonance in some quarters. Despite these criticisms, "Man of Steel's" ambition in redefining Superman's legacy is undeniable, offering a visually captivating experience that seeks to resonate with modern sensibilities about heroism, albeit with mixed success. Its arrival on the 4K UHD platform underscores an evolving landscape for superhero cinema, embracing technological enhancements to augment storytelling, even as it navigates the challenges of adapting treasured narratives for new generations.

    Total: 78

    The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Man of Steel" stands as a pivotal representation of the film, aimed primarily at loyal fans and those invested in the highest quality home cinema experience. The disc's shining feature is undoubtedly its Dolby Atmos audio track, which offers a significant upgrade over previous releases, promising an immersive auditory experience even for those yet to upgrade their systems to support Atmos decoding. However, the video presentation, while great-looking, is slightly hampered by the film's heavy stylization which prevents it from truly showcasing the full potential of 4K visuals. The details are more pronounced, and there are moments where the visual fidelity shines, rewarding fans with a new way to appreciate the film's intricate storytelling and directorial flair.

    Regarding extras, this release may disappoint those seeking an abundance of new content. Most of the supplemental material provided mirrors that of its Blu-ray counterpart, with little fresh addition to justify a double-dip solely for the bonus features. The inclusion of potentially engaging special features on a secondary Blu-ray disc suggests there's more to explore, yet it might not be sufficient for those expecting a comprehensive package. Despite this, the 4K release serves as the premier format for experiencing "Man of Steel," offering minor but notable image enhancements and a superior sound quality that significantly enriches the viewing experience, particularly for repeat viewers or those forging new connections with its follow-up films.

    In conclusion, while the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Man of Steel" may not offer a revelatory upgrade in terms of visual enhancements or additional content, it is an essential acquisition for enthusiasts eager to experience the best audio-visual presentation available at home. The lack of extensive new extras is a point of contention that could deter some; however, the Atmos track alone may be worth the investment for audiophiles and dedicated fans. Purchasers are advised to seek out this edition during sales to maximize value. This release ultimately reaffirms "Man of Steel" as a foundational piece of modern superhero cinema, inviting viewers to re-examine its depth and humanity through a technically superior format.