Suicide Squad, The 4K Ultra HD

"The Suicide Squad" opens with welcome to hell—aka Bellle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out––even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today's do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone's favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla focus at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Walter's government techies in their cars, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they're dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Walter herself). If anyone's laying down bets, the smart money is against them––all of them. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director/Writer James Gunn; the following featurettes: "Gotta Love The Squad" (HD 11:37), "The Way Of The Gunn" (HD 07:50), "It's Suicide Mission Scene Breakdown" (HD 06:37), "My Gun's Bigger Than Yours Scene Breakdown" (HD 05:44), "Harley's Great Escape Scene Breakdown" (HD 07:16), "The Fall Of Jotunheim Scene Breakdown" (HD 05:38), "Starro: It's A Freakin Kaiji!" (HD 06:17) and "Bringing King Shark To Life" (HD 05:40); War Movie Retro trailer; Horror Movie Retro trailer; Buddy-Cop Retro trailer; deleted & extended scenes (HD 17:27); a gag reel (HD 10:23) and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 1.85:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally in IMAX format using the Red Komodo IMAX, Red Ranger Monstro IMAX and Red Weapon Monstro IMAX camera systems in 8K resolution and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture, filmed in IMAX, is nicely crafted with compelling production designs and locations, such as a jungle beach setting and the Spanish-speaking island locals. Color fidelity is excellent. Hues are warm and rich with earthy tones throughout. The color gamut is wide and nuanced with fine colorful textures exhibited in costumes, objects and structures, Fleshtones are diverse in complexion shadings. HDR contrast is superb with stylized lighting effects, which create compelling effects. Black levels are deep and shadow delineation reveals excellent dark levels. Lighting effects, such as flashlights and lights on military vehicles, are intensely illuminated. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited throughout in objects and surface textures, as well as in clothing and gear. Facial features are nicely detailed with skin pores, hair, beards and makeup exhibiting nuances in resolution. This is an exciting visual experience with diverse stylized production and costume design that perfectly complements the outrageous action. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is exceptionally active and dynamic sounding. There are numerous gunfire exchanges and explosions that energize the action. Atmospherics are generally muted but sound effects and Foley sound effects dominate and deliver superb sonics. Deep bass extends at times to sub-25 Hz. Surround envelopment is strong with the music and effects serving as strong elements. The energy is active in the four surround channels. During all the excitement dialogue retains intelligible, though, mostly ADR produced.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an extension of limited music and numerous sound effects such as helicopter sounds, gunfire, a scream, squealing rats, jungle sounds of birds, rain, falling concrete debris and other minor effects. Far more could have been accomplished to make for a more effective height layer.

This is a wild and exciting holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that is full of dynamic sound effect energy that makes for an engaging experience. (Gary Reber)