A Few Words About A few words about...™ Blade Runner 2049 -- in 4k UHD Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve, is an interesting film, with terrific production design by Dennis Gassner, and cinematography by Roger Deakins.

It also a bit of slow slog, at 164 minutes. I'd have loved to have taken a pair of digital scissors to it, as I feel that in a slightly shorter form, it could be far better overall.

That point aside, Warner Bros. has given us an absolutely gorgeous new 4k Blu-ray, especially as it's based upon 4k data files.

This makes it a bit of a rarity in the 4k home video world, which is still mostly up-rezzed data.

The razor-sharp images, combined with neatly applied HDR, yield a superb presentation, especially with the original Dolby Atmos tracks, which are huge, from logo on, and theater filling.

A very enjoyable film, and an interesting concept.

Someone mentioned that there may have been an earlier version, possibly going by a different name, that comes highly recommended, which I'll have to try and find.

A superior 4k UHD / Dolby Atmos presentation.


Image - 5

Audio - 5 (Dolby Atmos)

4k - 5

Pass / Fail - Pass

Recommended

RAH

 

[Robert Crawford]

Yeah, I watched this a couple of times in a movie theater including an IMAX one so I'm looking forward to seeing it again in 4K/UHD on my HT system. With that said, this release is going to be one of my test titles in which I won't buy the 4K/UHD disc until it's part of a sale sometime in 2018, or Black Friday sales in November.

Another attempt at purchase discipline for Crawdaddy. Of course, your review expounding the excellent presentations of this release isn't helping matters in that regard.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Can't wait to see it.

 

[Angelo Colombus]

Saw it in the theater and liked it enough to order the 4K disc. The long running time did not bother me at all since I did not look at my watch. Great visuals and a good story too.

 

[Kevin Lamb]

Does this release include the expanded IMAX aspect ratio? I know that that wasn't the "preferred" aspect ratio by the director and cinematographer but I'm curious as to whether WB included it nonetheless.

 

[WillG]

I'd love to get the 4K, but given a choice between 4K and 3D, I'm going with 3D every time. 3D BD is on life support, while 4K will be around (even if the UHD format goes bust) so my motto is get the 3D while you still can. If the studio chooses to release a 3D version, no reason not to include it in the 4K package and have one SKU instead of two.

 

[Wayne_j]

Although Roger Deakins says not to watch it in 3D.

http://www.indiewire.com/2017/10/roger-deakins-blade-runner-2049-dont-watch-3d-1201886963/

Although part of his reason is because of the silver screens required for real-d which causes hot spotting and wouldn't be a factor in the home.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

The US 3D release has disappeared from Amazon and I got a notice saying they didn't know when or if they'd be able to fulfill my preorder. Bummed, but will order from U.K. if necessary.

 

[david hare]

I would normally agree with you, but in this case I uinderstand the 3D "version" was a post production fix, ie..not native 3D. The Arri filiming was 3.4k and DI was 4K so no "real" 3D here.

So we have to keep older 3D BDs of native 3D pix like Life of Pi and Prometheusl etc, along with the new 4K discs. I'm really torn for instance between the gorgeous 4K image for Prometheus, much more refined than the BD, but the 3D is a must for the big spectacle scenes.

 

[Tino]

The US 3D release has disappeared from Amazon and I got a notice saying they didn't know when or if they'd be able to fulfill my preorder. Bummed, but will order from U.K. if necessary.

Best Buy will have it in stores on Tuesday.

 

[KeithDA]

With that said, this release is going to be one of my test titles in which I won't buy the 4K/UHD disc until it's part of a sale sometime in 2018, or Black Friday sales in November.

Is this because 4K discs are creeping up in price in the US too? Nearly all our 4K discs are £19.99 but pre-orders for this one are £24.99.....

 

[Robert Crawford]

Is this because 4K discs are creeping up in price in the US too? Nearly all our 4K discs are £19.99 but pre-orders for this one are £24.99.....

No, my decision to install more discipline on my home video buying habits is because too many Blu ray and 4K/UHD releases that I bought during the year which were purchased at a much higher price than if I waited for sales and Black Friday specials that came about later in the year. Furthermore, my film library is extensive and I have a pile of "never viewed" discs that is so large, I'm too embarrass to place a number on it. "1500-2000" I'm a film buff that has become a discaholic since 1997, when I bought my first DVD. I need to watch my film collection. I forgot why I got into this hobby in the first place back in the early 1980's. It's to watch movies in my home theater as film brings much joy to me and has since I was a child. Lastly, I'm a retiree now so I need to act like one.

One question to you. Are those prices you quoted MSRP or is pricing after any discount is applied?

 

[Robert Crawford]

I did a little research and I don't see much difference in pricing from a year ago to now. The following average pricing for new releases that are not catalog titles:

Warner
MSRP: $44.99
Discounted Pricing: 33% off $44.99

Fox
MSRP: $39.99
Discounted Pricing: 38% off $39.99

Universal
MSRP: $44.98
Discounted Pricing: 40-43% off $44.98

Sony
MSRP: $45.99
Discounted Pricing: 40-42% off $45.99

Paramount
MSRP: $37.99
Discounted Pricing: 33-34% off $37.99

Summit/Lionsgate
MSRP: 42.99
Discounted Pricing: 42% off $42.99

Disney (Only Three 4K/UHD Releases)
MSRP: $39.99-44.99
Discounted Pricing: TBD

 

[Scott Merryfield]

Similar to Robert, I'll be waiting for a price drop on this one. While my collection and "unwatched" pile is not nearly as large as his, I still have plenty of things to watch, so waiting is not a big deal. I really do not like paying more for something than necessary, and by waiting a few months I can usually get titles for about half of the initial street price. With Warner Brothers titles, the wait is usually a little longer, as they tend to have a higher initial street price and are slower to drop in price than other studios.

 

[Colin Jacobson]

Does this release include the expanded IMAX aspect ratio? I know that that wasn't the "preferred" aspect ratio by the director and cinematographer but I'm curious as to whether WB included it nonetheless.

Like "Sully", "2049" is only 2.40:1 - no 1.90:1 option...

 

[KeithDA]

One question to you. Are those prices you quoted MSRP or is pricing after any discount is applied?

Retailers in the UK tend not to quote an MSRP - the £19.99 and £24.99 I mentioned are simply the street/online prices. They DO seem more expensive than your discounted prices and we rarely get much reduction on this (e.g. the HMV Sale is 'two 4K discs for £30' with a very limited choice of discs available...) and older titles seem to go up rather than down in price

 

[Kevin Lamb]

Like "Sully", "2049" is only 2.40:1 - no 1.90:1 option...

Thanks for confirming!

 

[zoetmb]

I saw this in a Dolby Vision theatre and it looked great. Running time didn't bother me at all. While it certainly wasn't as revolutionary as the original, I liked the movie quite a bit and feel badly that the film didn't do better at the box-office, although from the press, you'd think it was a complete disaster. It has actually grossed $259 million worldwide and is still in theatrical release.

 

[Tino]

I saw this in a Dolby Vision theatre and it looked great. Running time didn't bother me at all. While it certainly wasn't as revolutionary as the original, I liked the movie quite a bit and feel badly that the film didn't do better at the box-office, although from the press, you'd think it was a complete disaster. It has actually grossed $259 million worldwide and is still in theatrical release.

Unfortunately with a budget of $150 million plus P&A it needed to make about $400 million worldwide just to break even. Not a complete disaster but certainly very disappointing.

 

[Tom Kirk]

This was the first time in at least 25 years where I watched a film in a theater and thought, "This will NOT sound better in my HT".

Or even as good.

BR2049 came in yesterdays' mail and I was correct.