A Few Words About A few words about...™ The Fifth Element -- in 4k UHD Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

The Fifth Element, one of two Luc Besson films, recently released by Columbia / Sony in 4k UHD (the other is Leon: The Professional), is another telling example of precisely what 4k presentations can achieve.

While both productions were shot on film -- Leon in 35/4 scope, and Fifth in S35 -- they're very different, as Fifth is layered with dupes, because of effects.

And while Leon has a constantly, highly resolved image, Fifth drops obviously in resolution whenever we cut to an effects shot or sequence, precisely as it did in theaters in 1992, only now more obvious in 4k digital.

As to Fifth, itself, I'm not sure what to think of it. It's an interesting film, if for no other reason than its continuous audacity. If I could only take one to a desert island, it would be Leon.

As a 4k Blu-ray disc, along with the addition of HDR, it's about as good as anything that we'll get.

Along with Leon, both films had SDDS sound tracks, so the addition of Dolby Atmos would seem a slam dunk.


Image - 5

Audio - 5 (Dolby Atmos)

Pass / Fail - Pass

Recommended

RAH

 

[Robert Crawford]

Expect some inquiries about the coloring. I should have mine today, but I have other titles ahead in my viewing queue.

 

[Robert Harris]

Expect some inquiries about the coloring. I should have mine today, but I have other titles ahead in my viewing queue.

The color palette, and how it is translated to disc is something about which I'm unable to comment. I'll leave that to knowledgable fans of the film.

 

[Robert Crawford]

The color palette, and how it is translated to disc is something about which I'm unable to comment. I'll leave that to knowledgable fans of the film.

In my opinion, TBD as I'm not sure how many of them really know what they're talking about in that regard. I know I'm not knowledgeable so I'll probably just love this disc.

 

[Dave Blair]

I'm having trouble with the HDR role in these productions. How is it done? How is it applied, i.e.,a light pass? Finally, who approves the use and end product? It seems that all this post processing can cause unintended negative consequences. Thanks.

 

[Tino]

I'm having trouble with the HDR role in these productions. How is it done? How is it applied, i.e.,a light pass? Finally, who approves the use and end product? It seems that all this post processing can cause unintended negative consequences. Thanks.

True. However in the case of these two films apparently it has been applied correctly and the results are terrific.

 

[Robert Harris]

I'm having trouble with the HDR role in these productions. How is it done? How is it applied, i.e.,a light pass? Finally, who approves the use and end product? It seems that all this post processing can cause unintended negative consequences. Thanks.

Sometimes filmmakers are involved, or trust those doing the work, as in this case.

Sometimes no filmmakers are involved.

HDR can be automatically programmed in, very inexpensively, and with virtually zero artistic judgment, or a colorist can spends many hours massaging the imagery.

The end result of both, enables the distributor to use those magic letters that home video buffs seem to love -- HDR.

Even when they have no meaning.

 

[MikeTV]

I think the 4K and HDR of this particular film are quite stunning, and actually watched it TWICE in its entirety yesterday. After watching it the first time, I told a friend about how remarkable it looked, and he said, "I wanna see." So we watched it again.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Amazon now selling this 4K/UHD release for $13.47!

 

[Brian L]

Amazon now selling this 4K/UHD release for $13.47!

They must like you better than me...I am seeing a tick under $20.

 

[Robert Crawford]

They must like you better than me...I am seeing a tick under $20.

You snooze, you lose. The way Amazon operates now, pricing fluctuates throughout the day on many of their video titles. This title was $25.95 yesterday so when it dropped to $13.47 today, I figured that low pricing wouldn't last very long. I've seen cases in which such a drop in pricing lasted several days, but also cases like this one, it lasted only a matter of a few hours.

 

[dpippel]

I paid $30 for the Best Buy steelbook and am happy to have done so. The artwork on it is wonderful, and worth the extra cost to me.

 

[Dave Moritz]

I believe I only paid $29.99 for Fifth Element at Target but from what I have seen watching the 4K UHD IMHO it was worth it.