Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 4K Ultra HD

In Marvel Studios’ "Guardians Of The Galaxy Volume 3," our beloved band of misfits is looking a bit different these days. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from a terrible loss, must rally his team and embark on a dicey, action-packed mission to defend the universe and protect Rocket. Meanwhile, a new, unpredictable force threatens to bring the Guardians down for good. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director James Gunn, the featurettes "The Imperfect, Perfect Family" (HD 11:08) and "Creating Rocket Raccoon" (HD 09:25), eight deleted scenes (HD 08:27), gag reel (HD 05:59) and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Red Komodo 6K, Red Monstro IMAX, Red Ranger Monstro IMAX and Red V Raptor IMAX camera systems (at source capture resolutions of up to 8K) and sourced from a 4K Digital Intermediate. While exhibited theatrically in 2D, there was also a 3D conversion by SDFX Studios that was exhibited, but there has yet to be released a 3D Blu-ray Disc, as there was with the 2014 original release. This is an incredibly complex visual experience with a production design that is stunning in its utilization of visual special effects. The color palette is extremely diverse with a seemingly array of hues and nuance shadings. The color palette exhibits impressive depth and saturation throughout. The Orgocorp sequence is pure fantasy in appearance, though just a tad more then other sequences. Colors are bright and settings are generally brightly illuminated, though the darker sequences exhibit warmer bursts of color. There are so many fantasy characters that, with the exception of the true human type, exhibit unhuman flesh tones. HDR contrast is excellent with dynamic lighting ranging from darken black and shadowly segments and bright white levels. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited throughout. Clarity is terrific, with image rendering that is pristine. This is an extraordinarily creative visual experience that will captivate fans of the fantasy genre. Reference quality from Marvel Studios and Disney. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is complexly dynamic with a vast range of unique sounds from low bass to high frequencies. As with the visuals there is a virtually undescrible variety of sound effects throughout that are discretely panned.. Deep LFE .1 bass enhances numerous sequences involving intense action and destruction. There is near constant immersion with aggressive surround envelopment. Spatial relationships are well defined. Dialogue, while heavily ADR sourced, is intelligible with at time good spatial integration.

The Immersive Sound element comprises the extension of the music to the height layer as well as the occassional sound effect, rumblings and dialogue. While far more could have been achieved in the realm of extension of atmospherics and sound effects, this rendering is the best of all previous editions.

This is a spectacularly busy and exciting holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that will thrill fans of the series. (Gary Reber)