Black Adam 4K Ultra HD

Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world. (Gary Reber)

Special features include featurettes: "The History Of Black Adam" (HD 10"08), "Who Is The Justice Society?" (HD 14:16), "From Soul To Screen" (HD 06:09), "Black Adam: A Flawed Hero" (HD 05:09), "Black Adam: New Tech In An Old World" (HD 04:49), "Black Adam: Taking Flight" (HD03:32), "Kahndaq: Designing A Nation" (HD 06:27), "The ROCK Of Eternity" (HD 05:42), "Costumes Make The Hero" (HD 08:25) and "Black Adam: A New Type Of Action" (HD 06:38); Filmmaker Mode and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 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 anamorphic Master Scope using the Arri Alexa LF and Arri Alexa Mini LF camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. The picture exhibits good depth and dimensionality. The imagery appears natural in terms of a rich and warm color palette. Hues are natural throughout including flesh tones. The picture is stylize with special effects and visual effects galore, such as an elaborate production design both in terms of landscape and the Justice Society's ship, as well as the violence that is visualized. HDR contrast is excellent. Black levels are deep. Shadows are revealing. White levels are bright with specular highlights. Resolution is superb with fine detail exhibited throughout in costume design, production design, facial features, costume fabrics and object texture. Overall, this is a strikingly elaborate image that will please fans. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is very dynamic sounding with an all-enveloping soundfield that is aggressive in strength. Lorne Balfe's orchestral/choral score occupies a wide an deep soundstage that aggressively extends to the surrounds, The music is rather constant throughout the soundtrack. Atmospherics sound realistic, Sound effects are aggressive and panned throughout the soundfield. Foley sound effects are in perfect sync. The soundfield is supported with a low frequency foundation with bass that at times extends to sub-25 Hz in support of aggressive sound effects in the violent action sequences. Dialogue is generally well integrated spatially.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of essentially the orchestra/choral score, which occupies a frontal height channel presence. While effective in creating a heightened dimensional presence, much more could have been achieved considering the extent of action and sound effects throughout. Nuanced and muffled dialogue is occasionally evident but really not effective.

This is an exciting dynamic hlosoonic® spherical surround soundtrack that is well crafted with exciting sound effects discretely placed throughout the soundfield. (Gary Reber)