Eternals 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Disney's "Eternals" debuts on the 4K UHD Blu-ray scene, offering a spectacle that's a mix of refined presentation and missed opportunities. The Ultra HD disc delivers a 3840x2160 resolution with HDR10, showcasing a wide color gamut (WCG) and High Dynamic Range encoded via the HEVC (H.265) codec. Despite utilizing ARRIRAW captured at 4.5K with ARRI ALEXA LF and Mini LF cameras, and outputted through a native 4K digital intermediate, the film's vision under Zhao's direction emphasizes natural landscapes and "organic" costume designs, which, while unique, sometimes results in a visual experience that feels somewhat bland within the MCU’s vibrant universe. While the disc boasts excellent detail and deep black levels, it doesn't escape criticism for its surprisingly dark HDR grade, which can obscure finer details, especially compared to its streaming counterpart on Disney+, which benefits from Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced versions for added dynamic range.

The physical 4K presentation, although superior in bitrate and fidelity to its streaming version, struggles with an excessively dark grade, affecting both its cinematic appeal and visual clarity in low light scenes. This darker approach aims for a moodier atmosphere but also sacrifices some detail and vividness in colors that the film sporadically presents. The Eternals' powers and various digital additions, though intended to shine through with more intense luminance in HDR, suffer under the oppressive grading, which leaves primary colors lacking in saturation and magical effects less potent than expected. Flesh tones come across as pallid and the overall palette seems trapped in an overcast ambiance, detracting from moments that should be visually striking, such as the Bollywood sequence.

Despite these setbacks, the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Eternals" provides a technically sound viewing experience. The detailed clarity in costume and facial textures is commendable, particularly in scenes well-lit enough to evade the pervasive darkness of the film's HDR execution. Colors, when allowed to shine, appear rich and vivid, capturing the essence of the few brightly colored sequences with admirable depth. Moreover, blacks are rendered with natural depth, enhancing the contrast against the film's occasional bursts of color and magical effects. However, the overall experience is somewhat marred by the controversial HDR grading and a lack of vibrancy in the image's presentation. While it surpasses its Blu-ray counterpart in clarity and detail, thanks to its native 4K resolution and clean encoding, it leaves viewers pondering whether the physical media's advantages are substantial enough over Disney+'s more accessible versions, given the additional cost involved.

The audio presentation of "Eternals" on 4K UHD Blu-ray showcases a Dolby Atmos track that signifies a modest yet appreciable step up from its Disney+ counterpart and standard Blu-ray. The object-based immersive audio creates an engrossing 3D soundscape, utilizing the entire soundstage to envelop the audience with a palpable sense of atmosphere and engagement. Dialogue is presented with crisp clarity, predominantly emerging from the front channels, ensuring that conversations are easily discernible amidst the varying levels of action. Although the implementation of LFE (Low-Frequency Effects) occasionally falls short of delivering the expected thunderous depth, particularly in scenes ripe for impactful bass, it manages to contribute a satisfying rumble in several key moments, enriching the overall auditory experience.

The use of Dolby Atmos enhances the spatial dynamics, with adept placement of audio objects both at ear level and overhead contributing to a truly immersive listening experience. The mix excels in its portrayal of atmospherics, discrete sound effects, and panning, which effectively amplifies the realism of both intimate scenes and sprawling battles. Notably, height channels are employed creatively, adding dimension to the celestial voices and dynamic action sequences, while the surround channels actively immerse viewers in the film's environments, from bustling city streets to serene historical settings.

Despite its strengths, the audio track does present inconsistencies, with certain high-intensity scenes lacking the anticipated punch from the subwoofer, leaving a desire for a deeper low-end impact. Nonetheless, it offers a commendable range and precision in its surround sound presentation, with detailed ambiance and sound movement that enhance the cinematic experience. The additional audio options and subtitles provided cater to a diverse audience, ensuring accessibility. Overall, "Eternals" stands as one of Disney’s superior audio efforts on the format, showcasing a promising direction for future releases, though it leaves room for refinement in achieving the full potential of blockbuster audio presentations.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Eternals" brings a meticulously curated set of extras, primarily hosted on the included Blu-ray disc, offering viewers an enriching peek behind the cosmic curtain of this ambitious Marvel installment. Notably, the Audio Commentary track, featuring director Chloé Zhao alongside visual effects supervisors Stephane Ceretti and Mårten Larsson, dives deep into the film's thematic essence and visual ambitions, with Zhao revealing her influences ranging from Terrence Malick to Jack Kirby. Two concise yet enlightening featurettes, "Immortalized" and "Walks of Life," respectively delve into the broader narrative scope of the film and the diverse ensemble cast's reflections on their roles, bringing to light the collaborative spirit that powered this cinematic endeavor. The package is rounded off with a light-hearted Gag Reel and a collection of Deleted Scenes that offer glimpses into what could have been, ensuring fans have plenty to explore beyond the film itself. A digital copy code is also included for convenience.

Extras included in this disc:

Audio Commentary – An in-depth track with Chloé Zhao, Stephane Ceretti, and Mårten Larsson.

Immortalized – A behind-the-scenes look at bringing the Eternals to the big screen.

Walks of Life – Insights from the cast about diversity and camaraderie.

Gag Reel – Enjoyable bloopers from the film’s production.

Deleted Scenes

• Gravity
• Nostalgia
• Movies
• Small Talk

Eternals, as presented in the 4K UHD Blu-ray release, is an ambitious attempt by Marvel Studios to delve into the less explored corners of its expansive universe. Directed by Chloé Zhao, known for her Academy Award-winning work on Nomadland, the film aims to strike a chord with its unique narrative and visual style but fumbles in its execution. Despite boasting an inclusive and star-studded cast, including the likes of Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie, the movie struggles with its pacing, script, and character development. The stark tonal shifts and lack of dynamic chemistry among its leads hinder the impact of what could have been a compelling story spanning millennia.

Technical aspects such as cinematography and costume design are commendable, with Zhao’s vision bringing a distinct flavor to the MCU. However, the film's ambitious scope seems to have been its Achilles' heel, unable to sufficiently explore or develop its ensemble cast within the constraints of its runtime. While it attempts to break the mold with a more philosophical approach and grand themes surrounding existence and destiny, Eternals often feels meandering and lacks the emotional resonance expected from a Marvel cinematic outing. Sadly, this lack of engagement is further accentuated by a narrative that struggles to balance its myriad of characters and their complex backstories.

The action sequences and visual effects that typically underscore the MCU’s blockbuster appeal are present yet feel overshadowed by the movie's attempt to be introspectively profound and narratively expansive. This results in a viewing experience that, while occasionally visually stunning, feels laborious and uneventful. The actors, despite their capabilities, are limited by a script that doesn’t allow for the depth or growth necessary to make their characters memorable or their plight engaging. Eternals presents a missed opportunity to deepen the Marvel lore in a meaningful way, leaving audiences yearning for the vibrancy and cohesion found in its more successful counterparts.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Eternals," the 25th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), presents a divisive chapter in the franchise's expansive lore. Despite its potential to explore new thematic depths and deliver a rich character study within the MCU, "Eternals" struggles with execution, offering an overlong narrative that often lacks in both action and impact. This release arrives with excellent visual quality, albeit with a notably dark presentation, and while it boasts a decent Dolby Atmos track, the audio falls short of spectacular. The supplemental package is described as middling, indicating that devout MCU collectors might find it worthwhile, but others may see it as an inessential addition.

Technical aspects of the disc raise concerns among enthusiasts. The decision to offer only HDR10 on the disc—whereas streaming options on Disney+ include 4K Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced viewing—feels like a missed opportunity for a premium physical release. The Atmos audio mix does not fully leverage its capabilities, particularly in the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel, rendering it less distinguished than one might expect from such a high-profile release. Furthermore, the timing of this disc's market entrance after its availability on Disney+ challenges its value proposition, given the added cost without significant technical improvement over streaming options.

In conclusion, while "Eternals" aims to carve out unique narrative and thematic space within the MCU, its translation to 4K UHD Blu-ray primarily serves as a testament to missed opportunities both in cinematic execution and in home media presentation. For collectors committed to owning every piece of the MCU saga, this release may hold appeal merely for its completionist value. However, given its shortcomings in both content and technical merit, it underscores a moment of reflection for Disney and Marvel Studios on how best to leverage the physical media format for such a landmark series, especially in an era where streaming options increasingly eclipse their tangible counterparts.