Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 4K Ultra HD

In "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," Owen (Pratt) and Claire (Howard) return to Isla Nublar three years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park to rescue any remaining dinosaurs on the island from a catastrophic volcano that threatens to leave dinosaurs extinct once again. Owen is driven to save his lead raptor, Blue, while Claire makes it her mission to preserve the creatures that she has grown to deeply respect. When the lava begins to rain down, they soon discover terrifying new breeds of ferocious dinosaurs along with a conspiracy that could threaten the entire world. (Gary Reber)

Special features include 16 featurettes: "On Set With Chris & Bryce (HD 03:05), "The Kingdom Evolves" (HD 04:33), "Return To Hawaii" (HD 02:41), "Island Action" (HD 06:01), "Aboard The Arcadia" (HD 05:53), "Birth Of The Indoraptor" (HD 04:09), "Start The Bidding" (HD 03:18), "Death By Dino" (HD 01:33), "Monster In A Mansion" (HD 03:06), "Rooftop Showdown" (HD 03:48), "Malcolm's Return" (HD 03:07), "VFX Evolved" (HD 07:08), "Fallen Kingdom: The Conversation" (HD 19:16), " A Song For The Kingdom" (HD 01:26), "Chris Pratt's Jurassic Journals" (HD 12:09), and "Jurassic Then And Now—Presented By Barbasol®" (HD 03:06); upfront previews; and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/Dolby Vision picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally in Panavision® using the Arri Alexa 65, Arri Alexa Mini camera system and sourced from a 2K (not 4K) master Digital Intermediate format. Theatrically the movie was also exhibited in 3D with a conversion by Stereo D. Ultra HD picture quality is excellent. The opening scene is powerfully dynamic and HDR contrast extends to the extremes in peak white brightness and deep blacks, as it melts into the orange/red lava transition to the "Jurassic World" title treatment. Shadow delineation is excellent throughout as well. From there it transitions to an incredible detailed government hearing room. Skin pores, freckles, hair, beard and other facial features are vivid, as well as clothing and other object textures. Of course, the dinosaurs are also incredibly defined and menacing, which enhances the sense this is real. Fleshtones are perfectly natural throughout. Other hues also benefit from a wider and denser color gamut with richness and warmth. Color accuracy throughout is impressive. The green vistas are spectacular, as are the elaborate set pieces, heightened with excellent saturation The imagery throughout is impressively dimensional and natural in appearance. WOW! segments are numerous such as the opening sequence from 00.01:04 to 00:07:09, 00:08:05 to 00:09:20, 00:13:30 to 00:17:16, 00:38:09 to 00:41:00, 00:42:30 to 00:45:06, 00:50:50 to 00:52:00, 00:53:48 to 00:54:44, 01:13:50 to 01:15:30, 01:24:06 to 01:25:06, 01:38:02 to 01:39:06, 01:43:20 to 01:45:22, 01:48:32 to 01:49:25 and 01:55:00 to 01:56:22. All this adds up to a most satisfying and engaging cinematic presentation. (Gary Reber)

The DTS:X/DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1 soundtrack is dynamic sounding, with bass extension that extends to sub-25 HZ, especially to sonically portray the harmless giants and the menacing and dangerous other species. The opening underwater sequence effectively defines the sense of ocean depth and the above soundscapes that include an interaction with a helicopter and a T-Rex. As the action shifts to the volcanic eruptions, the sonics of lava movement density and spews, the sonics cast another soundscape that is menacing. Throughout, sound effects and atmospherics are impressively articulate and dynamic, such as dinosaur stampedes and the overall mayhem created by the active volcano. Dinosaur vocalization sounds naturally robust as one would imagine. Foley sound effects also effectively enhance the realism of the scene-to-scene chaos. Dialogue throughout is intelligible and balanced within the scenes with good spatial integration. Surround envelopment is aggressive and directionalized, which enhances the sense of a huge dimensional soundfield and a virtually constant range of sonic textures. The orchestral/choral score is powerfully dynamic and active throughout, with excellent stage width and depth and extension to the four surrounds. The music is well matched to the often underlying low-frequency effects accompaniments. Fidelity throughout is superb.

The Immersive Sound element somewhat effectively uses the orchestral score, though, mostly subtlety to enhance dimensionality, as well as object effects such as motion helicopter sounds and dinosaur accents. Other elements include underwater sounds, an elevator clanking, subtle bunker atmospherics, volcanic blasts, lava drips and shoots, pounding on glass, water spraying, gurgling water, a gunshot through glass, whistling and spouting lava sounds, rumbling water, a Jeep jump crash, ship noises, an auctioneer's voice, a podium bell bang, rain and thunder, a tree crash through structure, glass breakage and other minute sounds. For the most part the non-music sonics are brief but generally effective. Still, the sound designers have not gotten anywhere close to really creating dimensional soundscapes, leaving the height channel limited to sporadic sonic accents.

This is an incredibly impressive "Jurassic World" soundtrack at ear level that delivers a reference holosonic® experience with height accents, one that will explode on the most capable home theatre Immersive Sound systems. (Gary Reber)