Jason Bourne 4K UltraHD

Jason Bourne is back and this time it’s personal. The CIA’s most dangerous former operative is drawn out of hiding to uncover more explosive truths about his past. (Gary Reber)

Special features include five featurettes: Bringing Back Bourne (HD 08:15), Bourne To Fight (HD 18:13), Close Quarters,, The Athens Escape (HD 05:37), and Las Vegas Showdown (HD 14:56); upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD HDR-10 picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed on Kodak Vision3 film stock using Aaton Penelope and XTR and digitally using Arri Alexa Plus and XT camera systems, all at various resolutions, and sourced from a master format Digital Intermediate at 2K (not 4K). As the 2K Digital Intermediate has been unconverted to 2160p, there is no real gain in native resolution. Previously reviewed in Issue 212, December 2016 as a Blu-ray Disc™ release, the 2.39:1 picture film was digitally captured and exhibits a dark, sinister, rough appearance, typically in low-light conditions with slight film grain apparent. The color palette is darkly hued with hues generally less subdued in the low light. This creates a mysterious feel to the imagery. Flashes of highlights, enhanced with HDR, penetrate the darker scenes, and daylight scenes appear naturally bright. Fleshtones also appear to integrate with the darker overall palette. Contrast, within these parameters, is good, with generally revealing shadow delineation and deep blacks. Resolution is excellent, especially during close-ups of facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. But otherwise, due to the dark veiled stylization, foreground and backgrounds can exhibit some softness. Still, this is an exciting and compelling filmic experience that sustains a constant level of tension with its rapid editing direction. It is certain to please Bourne fans. (Gary Reber)

The DTS:X/DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is a content-tension stimulator, with an exciting and rhythmic orchestral music score that aggressively occupies all seven ear-level channels. Atmospherics and sound effects also are constantly engaging, effectively defining the varied international locations, The music effectively ties the scenes together. The atmospherics and sound effects are aggressively enveloping with a wide and deep spread across the soundstage. The .1 LFE is very active with extended bass to sub-25-Hz frequencies, which perfectly punctuates the intense segments, as well as provides a strong background to the music. Surround activity is quite aggressive and energized, which creates an effective holosonic® experience. As for intensity, the final car chase scene through the strip on Las Vegas Boulevard is a tour de force of sound effects. The added two channels really create a large soundfield, and the presence of height enhances the overall soundfield impact. Dialogue is intelligible throughout, even during the more intense and loud scenes, with generally good spatial integration.

The Immersive Sound element features an extended music score at a decent level, low-level atmospherics, brief helicopter rotor sounds, a jet aircraft flyover, tear-gas canister noise, and crowd clapping. Numerous opportunities were ignored, which would have resulted in a more satisfying Immersive Sound experience. But, unfortunately, the element has been underused. Still, the ear-level experience is a superb soundtrack that sounds excitingly intense and dynamic, with constant stress-inducing music and engaging atmospherics and sound effects. (Gary Reber)