Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 4K UltraHD

In "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," a murdered girl's defiant mother (McDormand) boldly paints three local billboards, each with a controversial message, igniting a furious battle with a volatile cop (Rockwell) and the town's revered chief of police (Harrelson). (Gary Reber)

Special features include five deleted scenes (HD 07:06), the "Crucify 'Em" making-of feaurette (HD 29:30), the "Six Shooter" Academy Award®-Winning Original Short by Martin McDonagh (HD 26:30), a gallery, theatrical trailers, and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Arri Alexa XT Plus camera system and sourced from a 2K (not 4K) master Digital Intermediate format. As the 2K Digital Intermediate has been upconverted to 2160p, there is no real gain in native resolution. Picture quality is superb with a very natural color palette that is nicely saturated and vivid. Hues are never exaggerated but are often deep in intensity such as reds, in the billboards, blood, trim on an ambulance, a fire hydrant, the American flag, a blanket, red flowers, etc.. The billboards are solid red and in some scenes nicely contrasted with blue skies and puffy white clouds. HDR contrast is excellent with bright whites, deep, solid blacks, and revealing shadow delineation. Fleshtones are perfectly natural throughout. Resolution is excellent with fine detail revealed in facial features, skin pores, wrinkles, freckles, hair, clothing, and object textures in interiors and exteriors. A WOW! segment is from 01:11:15 to 01:13:34. This is a wonderfully natural-looking picture with excellent imagery. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 5.1-channel, not an Immersive Sound format, is dialogue focused with effective and realistic atmospherics and supportive sound effects, such as a self-inflicted gunshot. The orchestral score is nicely recorded with a wide and deep soundstage and extension to the surrounds. However, aggressive surround is not part of the mix. Foley sound effects are realistic and very natural. Bass provides most a nice subtle foundation with greater power in sound effects, such as the scenes with torched fires, and in the music, which provides deep .1 LFE energy. Dialogue is terrific, with good intelligibility and good spatial integration. Narration also is nicely positioned forward. This is a well-crafted soundtrack with a terrific dialogue track. (Gary Reber)