Transformers: Rise of the Beasts 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts in 4K UHD presents a stellar video transfer encoded with HEVC / H.265. The 2160p resolution, combined with an aspect ratio of 2.39:1, ensures a visually captivating experience. This release truly shines in clarity and detail, offering a radiant and colorful presentation. The CG effects seamlessly blend with live-action elements, maintaining sharpness and crispness, essential for a film heavily reliant on visual spectacle. Depth of field is exemplary, enhancing the perception of scale and providing a spacious feel during outdoor sequences. Movements remain fluid and executed without any distortion, delivering impeccable action scenes.

The black levels in this UHD transfer are deep and natural, allowing fine details to appear vividly even in the darkest scenes, avoiding any sign of crushing. Color reproduction is particularly noteworthy, with HDR delivering vibrant contrasts that showcase the more colorful appearances of the Transformers. This is especially evident during explosions, beam effects, and various light sources throughout the movie. Skin tones are natural and consistent, with facial features easily discernible regardless of the camera’s distance from the subjects.

Overall, the video presentation of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts on 4K UHD disc is remarkably clean, devoid of noise or artifacts. The BD-100 layers use their capability to ensure high-quality imagery that stays faithful to the film's intended visual style. This release is a robust testament to the potential of 4K UHD technology, offering a dynamic and immersive viewing experience that satisfies both technical and entertainment standards.

For a full UHD video review, please click here.

Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos, French Dolby Atmos, Spanish (Castilian) 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish (Latin American) 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish

Dynamics: Transformers: Rise of the Beasts boasts a Dolby Atmos track that delivers an engaging but somewhat restrained auditory experience. While the track provides adequate depth and layering, particularly with handling multiple foley effects in action-heavy scenes, it leaves room for improvement in the lower frequency ranges. Although the low-end sounds are competently executed, genre enthusiasts might expect a more powerful punch during extensive action sequences.

Height: The height channels are well-utilized, adding immersive elements such as debris, glass shards, swooping characters, and helicopter flybys from above. These elements significantly enhance the soundstage, offering an added layer of realism and dimension.

Low Frequency Extension: The subwoofer performance is solid but does not reach the pounding impact expected from previous Transformers movies. While there are moments of substantial low-frequency effects, they fall just short of creating the floor-rumbling experience typically associated with large-scale action films.

Surround Sound Presentation: Surround sound is where this audio track truly shines. The side-to-side and front-to-back transitions are seamlessly executed, offering a dynamic and enveloping experience. Rear channel speakers are effectively utilized to capture and convey angle changes and minor details, augmenting the overall ambiance and enhancing spatial awareness.

Dialogue Reproduction: Vocals are presented crisply and clearly throughout the movie. Dialogue remains intelligible even amidst the numerous loud action sequences, ensuring that viewers can follow the storyline without issue.

For a full UHD audio review, please click here.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" boasts visually striking collectible SteelBook packaging with character-focused artwork and detailed thematic elements. Inside, it houses both UHD and Blu-ray discs with a dynamic two-panel inner spread. The included extras are extensive and provide deep insights into the film's production, from nostalgic reflections on the Transformers legacy and the 90s lifestyle to focused examinations of key characters and action sequences. The supplementals explore every facet of the creative process, offering fans a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Human Affairs: Appreciation for Transformers by the cast and crew.
• Life in the 90s: Nostalgic look at the 90s lifestyle.
• Heroes: Analysis of the heroes in the story.
• Villains: Examination of the baddies.
• The Chase: Creation of the big chase sequence.
• The Battle of Ellis Island: Making of a specific action sequence.
• Into the Jungle: Location featurette on shooting in Peru.
• The Switchback Attack: Focus on another action sequence.
• The Final Conflict: Making of the film’s finale.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes.

Paramount's "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" presents itself as a visually stunning rendition, delivering a solid 4K UHD experience packed with vibrant colors and fine details. Continuing the positive trajectory set by "Bumblebee," this installment brings back the beloved Autobots and introduces the formidable Maximals. With a sharper focus on the Transformers themselves and a slightly more serious tone balanced with a carefree, fun narrative, this film does not disappoint.

Featuring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the human characters manage to hold their ground and contribute to the franchise's evolving story. Ramos, in particular, shows significant potential, demonstrating chemistry both with his human co-stars and the CGI characters. While “Rise of the Beasts” may not break new ground, it engages audiences with its high-energy action sequences and charming characters, making it enjoyable for both fans and casual viewers alike.

The technical aspects shine in this 4K transfer, characterized by precise clarity and detail. Utilizing HEVC/H.265 coding at a resolution of 2160p within a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, the picture quality is stellar—showcasing radiant colors and robust CG effects that blend seamlessly with the live action. Depth of field remains strong, particularly during vast outdoor scenes and high-paced action moments, ensuring fluidity without distortion. Black levels are deep, natural, and shadow details are well-preserved even in nighttime sequences. Additionally, the HDR enhances color reproduction significantly, making explosions, beams, and car lights stand out vividly. The skin tones maintain consistency throughout, reflecting realistic facial features and textures seamlessly. Overall, this pristine, artifact-free presentation makes "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" a must-watch in its media format.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts arrives on 4K UHD Blu-Ray as a visually impressive release that continues the Transformers saga with a sense of promise. Paramount delivers on the visual front, showcasing the film with crisp detail and vibrant color saturation that fans of the franchise will appreciate. The UHD presentation benefits from a notable enhancement in clarity and dynamic range, making it a standout for those who prioritize picture quality in their viewing experience. However, the audio falls somewhat short of expectations, lacking the punchy, immersive sound design that one might expect from a blockbuster of this magnitude.

The SteelBook edition is a collector's delight, boasting unique and visually engaging artwork that sets it apart. Content-wise, the disc includes a robust selection of extras that provide deeper insight into the film’s production. While these supplementary materials add value, they don't quite compensate for the film's middling narrative that doesn't quite reach the highs of its predecessor, Bumblebee. Nevertheless, the effort to offer a comprehensive package in terms of both presentation and extras does make it an appealing purchase for fans and collectors alike.

In conclusion, this is a good-looking SteelBook, but the movie inside is just so-so. It certainly looks very good on UHD but could stand beefier audio. It does include a healthy number of extras. Worth a look for genre enthusiasts and those looking to complete their Transformers collection, especially when it hits a discounted price.