Focus 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Focus" delivers a visually stunning presentation that stands out as a prime example of a successful resolution upgrade. Encoded using HEVC on a dual-layered disc, the film maintains its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, which preserves the slick and sharp aesthetic that delighted audiences upon its initial release. This new transfer elevates the film's visual quality through the use of HDR10—and is Dolby Vision compatible—enhancing contrast and color depth significantly. The Arri Alexa's prowess in capturing intricate details shines through the upscale process, with textures rendered more tightly and colors appearing richer and more vibrant than ever before.

The HDR treatment applied to "Focus" transforms the viewing experience by harnessing a wide color gamut, resulting in lush and detailed imagery. The film's exotic locations and glitzy settings are captured with a clarity and sharpness that highlight the work put into maximizing the visual potential of the 2160p resolution. The bitrate, hovering around 70-80Mbps on a 66GB disc, ensures that all this rich imagery is presented without perceivable compression artifacts, providing an exceptional level of detail that often doubles what was seen in the 1080p counterpart.

Detail and color reproduction are further refined, with subtle shifts suggesting a slightly warmer tone and less prominence of teal hues in certain scenes. These enhancements ensure that "Focus" on 4K UHD offers both dazzling visuals and an immersive experience, particularly on higher-end displays capable of supporting advanced dynamic range capabilities. Overall, "Focus" takes full advantage of contemporary technological advancements to deliver an elegant and engaging visual spectacle that surpasses previous home video formats.

The DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio mix for the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Focus" closely mirrors the audio presentation on its Blu-ray counterpart, notable though for its slightly reduced base volume level. Despite lacking a Dolby Atmos upgrade—a surprising omission given the surround capabilities—the track remains effective, delivering a high-quality audio experience. It employs a robust handling of both high and low ends, ensuring clarity and precision in the dialogue delivered predominantly through the center channel. This attention to vocal presentation provides a rich and crisp auditory experience without sacrificing the dynamics of the overall sound design.

The audio track's strength lies particularly in its handling of dynamic scenes. Noteworthy is the race track sequence where the LFE effectively complements the high-pitched engine roars, providing an immersive 'thump' as vehicles speed past. The sound design makes effective use of the front stage with occasional ambient surround enhancements. Although not overly ambitious, the surround effects offer an enveloping experience, providing satisfying breadth and depth to the soundstage that home theater enthusiasts will appreciate.

However, it must be noted that this release, in line with other Warner Bros. 4K UHD catalog titles, omits all foreign dubs and subtitles beyond English. This limitation perhaps diminishes its appeal to international consumers, particularly given the region-free capacity of 4K UHD discs. Nevertheless, the mix proves to be admirable in its delivery, delivering a formidable performance throughout both dialogue and music, albeit without pushing into newer audio territory like Dolby Atmos.

The extras on the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Focus" offer insights into the film's production but largely mirror previous releases, lacking substantial new content. The collection includes EPK-style interviews that are light and predominantly promotional in nature, offering brief glimpses into the characters and artistry behind the film. Notably, Apollo Robbins features in an intriguing segment on the intricacies of con artistry, providing an educational perspective on sleight-of-hand techniques. Although there is a certain charm to the interviews with Will Smith and Margot Robbie, they do not substantially expand on known aspects of their roles. Additional content such as deleted scenes and an alternate opening shed light on what was left out of the final cut but tend not to significantly enrich the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Masters of Misdirection: The Players in a Con: Insight into con artistry directed by Apollo Robbins.
• Will Smith: Gentleman Thief: Smith discusses his involvement in the film.
• Margot Robbie: Stealing Hearts: Focus on Robbie’s role and presence in the film.
• Deleted Scenes: Four scenes adding context yet not altering the film's narrative.
• Alternate Opening: An alternative introduction centered around a jewel heist.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Focus" presents a noteworthy visual upgrade, reflecting Warner Bros.' penchant for crafting well-encoded discs. The lack of chapter selection and other usual features is a downside, but the image fidelity and improved resolution offer a clear advantage over previous Blu-ray versions. This edition capitalizes on Will Smith's renewed popularity and Margot Robbie's star rise, bringing this polarizing film back into the limelight despite its mixed reception during its original release.

"Focus," though often critiqued for uneven storytelling, showcases Will Smith's charismatic flair as Nicky, a seasoned con artist navigating a world of grand deception. The narrative thrives on the chemistry between Smith and Margot Robbie, whose role as Jess adds depth to the dynamic of intrigue and romance. Robbie's captivating performance complements Smith's assured presence, making their onscreen partnership compelling amid the film's otherwise predictable plot.

Helmed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, known for their previous successes in blending comedy with drama, "Focus" attempts to straddle the line between humor and high-stakes tension. While not always seamless, the film delivers moments of slick entertainment, buoyed by Smith and Robbie's engaging performances. For fans of con artistry tales or dedicated admirers of Smith and Robbie's work, "Focus" remains a visually enhanced offering that’s worth revisiting in its upscale UHD format, albeit primarily appealing to its core fanbase due to the premium pricing.

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa's "Focus" brings a stylish yet somewhat superficial heist comedy-drama to life, fronted by the compelling dynamics of Will Smith and Margot Robbie. Dividing its audience upon its initial 2015 release due to its emphasis on style over substance, the updated 4K UHD Blu-Ray edition nonetheless offers notable visual enhancements that elevate the viewing experience. The 2160p resolution delivers a sharp upgrade from the standard Blu-ray, capturing the vibrant aesthetics and kinetic energy of the film's narrative.

While the movie might not reach the iconic status of Smith's previous blockbusters like "Men in Black," its revamped home release positions it as a worthwhile visual spectacle. The chemistry between Smith and Robbie is palpable and arguably the film's most persuasive attribute, navigating long cons with charm and finesse. Despite this, the supplementary content on the disc remains minimal, potentially limiting re-watchability for casual viewers.

In conclusion, while "Focus" might not be a must-own unless you're a die-hard fan of the lead actors or enjoy Hollywood escapism, it stands out as a visually pleasing and entertaining entry in Warner Bros.' 4K catalog upgrades. The enhanced picture quality and immersive audio provide a definitive edition for those who appreciate slick cinematic experiences, even if the story fades quickly post-credits.