Ford v Ferrari 4K Ultra HD

"Ford v Ferrari" is based on the true story about Ford Motor Company's attempt to create the world's fastest car. American car designer Carroll Shelby (Damon) and the fearless British-born driver Ken Miles (Bale) together battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car and take on Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the eight-part documentary "Bringing The Rivalry To Life" (HD 59:52), theatrical trailers and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

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 anamorphic Panavision® using the Arri Alexa LF camera system at 4.5K 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 wonderful with an impressive filmic appearance. The color palette is perfect with a beautifully nuanced wide color gamut that is appealingly saturated. Hues are naturally rendered with a natural rich and warm balance and realism. Colors are bright and naturally saturated, Flesh tones are perfect throughout. HDR contrast is wide with superb highlights and spotlighting, deep blacks and perfectly revealing shadow delineation, which result in very natural realism. WOW! segments are throughout with favorites from 35:29 to 39:12, 48:40 to 51:12, 01:04;42 to 01:06:32, 01:44:44 to 01:48:22, 01:51:58 to 01:53:22 and 01:53:38 to 01:55:21. While nuanced, digital grain is at times apparent. This is a spectacularly engaging visual experience whose image quality oozes with realism. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is excitingly dynamic with the roar and screech of cars racing on the track and through the Italian countryside. The dynamics accelerate with the action, enhanced with deep, powerful bass that rumbles and roars, especially in segments depicting roaring, revving engines. Atmospherics perfectly enhance the settings and expand the soundfield dimension. Sound effects make for an exciting experience with effects throughout, enhanced with roaring bass, yet never exaggerated. The audience effects during the 24 Hours of Le Mans captures the magnitude of the start setting. The orchestral score is dynamic and powerful with a wide and deep soundstage that aggressively envelops the soundfield. The music is fast paced and rhythmic. Surround energy is intense during the racing scenes with directionalized action throughout the four surrounds. Dialogue is intelligible throughout, though, quite forward and wanting often in spatial delineation, but then given the intensity of the other sound elements, works well. Sonic nuances are incredible.

The Immersive Sound element is touch and go and generally fails to achieve its fullest potential. Occasional sound effects enhance the action such as intense windy sounds as race cars speed, panned prop engine airplane swooping sounds, clanky car noises, light raindrop sounds on a metal roof, grandstand crowd noises, helicopter sounds, a storm's thunder and lightning, rain on windshields, crash sounds and other minor sound effects. No music is heard in the height layer. This is rather disappointing considering the numerous opportunities.

Overall, this is an incredibly exciting holosonic® soundtrack that is very exciting and dynamic sounding with incredible nuances throughout, for a reference experience that thrills. (Gary Reber)