Breakdown 4K Ultra HD

In "Breakdown," Jeff Taylor (Kurt Russell) is headed toward a new life in California with his wife Amy (Kathleen Quinlan) when their Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV dies on a remote highway. A seemingly helpful trucker (J.T. Walsh) offers Amy a ride to the local diner while Jeff waits with the car. Then Jeff discovers his vehicle was deliberately tampered with, and by the time he gets to the next town, his worst fears are about to come true. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary by Director Jonathan Mostow and Actor Kurt Russell; an alternate opening (HD 11:40); an alternate opening with commentary by Mostow (HD 11:53); the featurettes "Filmmaker Focus: Director Jonathan Mostow On Breakdown" (HD 10:46), "Victory Is Hers" (HD 04:22) and "A Brilliant Partnership: Martin De Laurentiis On Breakdown" (HD 08:18); theatrical trailers and a digital copy.

The 2.35:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, photographed on Eastman Kodak film stock in Super 35 using the Arriflex 35 III Moviecam Compact and Arriflex 535 camera systems and sourced from a new director-approved 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Film grain is virtually absent. The setting is largely a nondescript stretch of empty desert country dotted by a lonely cafes capture with impressive visual realism, depth and accuracy. Picture quality is superb with a rich and warm color palette that exhibits natural hues. Hue shadings are nicely nuanced and distinctive, revealing precise detail in facial features, clothing and object textures. The color palette conveys absolute realism. HDR contrast is excellent. Black levels are deep and shadow delineation is revealing. White levels appear natural and never exaggerated. Resolution is excellent, especially closeups of facial features such as skin pores, sweat, lines, beards and hair. Clothing fabrics are discernible. Object texture is nicely detailed such as roadways, the vast human-less desert, barns, pickup trucks, big rig truck exteriors and a host of parts from victims vehicles. This is a satisfying filmic visual experience throughout and the new picture quality for this riveting thriller. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with effective sound effects and atmospherics that enhance the tension with directionality in the stereo field and the surrounds. Sound effects are often dynamic sounding such as rapids if a river or a passing train with its immense power of the wheels of the freight cars rolling on the rails with strong deep sub-25 Hz .1 LFE bass support. There is road noise with passing pickup trucks and 10-wheeler truck, as well aa intense car, pickup ruck and big rig truck crashes. And there are gun shots, whether handgun shots or shotgun blasts, all with strong bass support. Natural atmospheres are generally subtle. The orchestral score is powerfully dynamic sounding with a deep bass response. There are rhythmic segment driven by string basses. The music occupies a wide and deep soundstage presence, which extends aggressively to the surrounds for effective envelopment. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with good spatial integration. This is a great holosonic® soundtrack with a terrific music score, a spectacular road chase, as well as exciting dynamics. (Gary Reber)