The Cell 4K Ultra HD

In "The Cell," when serial murderer Carl Stangher (Vincent D 'Onofrio) falls into a coma with his latest victim still trapped in an unknown location and waiting to die, the FBI turn to psychologist Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez) for help. Using an experimental technology she enters the dark dreamscape of Stangher's mind, attempting to learn his secrets before it's too late. But his unconscious is a twisted nightmare, a labyrinth that threatens to trap he inside his terrifying world forever. To save a life, she'll have to risk her own. (Gary Reber)

Both the theatrical version (4K Ultra HD 01:47"19 and the Director's Cut (4K Ultra HD 01:49:18) of the film are available. Special features include on Disc One new commentary with film scholars Josh Nelson and Alexandra Heller Nicholas; new commentary with screenwriter Mark Protosevich and film critic Kay Lynch; archive commentary with Director of Photography Paul Laufer, Production Designer Tom Foden, Makeup Supervisor Michéle Burke Costume Designer April Napher, Visual Effects Supervisor Kevin Too Haug and Composer Howard Shore; the featurettes "Projection Of The Mind's Eye" a new interview with Director Singh and "Between Two Worlds" a new interview with Director of Photography Paul Laufer (HD 43:16). Special features on Disc Two include previously unseen version of the Theatrical Cut of the film presented in 1.78:1 aspect ratio (HD 01:37:09); the featurettes "Paul Laufer Illuminates" a new interview (HD 10:47), "Art Is Where You Find It" a new visual essay by film scholar Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (HD 12:32), "The Costuming Auteur" a new visual essay by film critic Abby Bender (HD 10:37) and "Style As Substance: Reflections On Tarsem" (HD 11:50); eight deleted/extemded scenes (HD ); six multi-angle archive visual effects vignettes; theatrical trailers and image gallery. There is also an illustrated collector's book and limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on Kodak Vision 35mm film stock in Super 35 using the Arriflex 35-III, Arriflex 435, Arriflex 535B and Panavision Panaflex Platinum camera system and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format derived from the original camera negative. Film grain is virtually absent. The production design occurs in both actual outdoor settings and on sets, which during mind transfers are hallucinating in image composition. The picture is very clean and during mind transfers very abstract and artistic. The color palette is perfectly natural with nicely saturated hues that are rich and warm. The color gamut is wide with a wide spectrum of nuanced hues. The real world exhibits superb naturalness with perfectly accurate flesh tones. HDR contrast is excellent. Blacks are deep and solid. Shadow delineation is revealing. White levels are both natural and brightly illuminated. Resolution is excellent with fine detail exhibited throughout. Facial features, such as skin pores complexions, makeup beard stubble and hair, exhibit fine detail. Backdrops and architectural features and pavements are detailed. Objects are finely detailed. Clothing fabrics are revealing. This is a superb and creative visual experience that is captivating throughout. (Gary Reber)

The DTS=HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with realistic atmospherics that are enveloping and dimensional. Sound effects can be powerful and dynamic. Bass extension is deep and supports sound effects with .1 LFE energy. Howard Shore's music is unusual sounding with creative compositional orchestrations. The music is enveloping and occupies an wide and deep soundstage. Surround energy is aggressive and provides a good sense of enveloping dimensionality. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with mostly good spatial integration. This is a very creative holosonic® sound design with excellent diversity of soundscapes that provide excitement. (Gary Rebe)