Sony rounds out their 6-movie Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Volume 2 with 2010’s The Social Network.
The Production: 4.5/5
It’s hard to believe that Facebook has been around for just over 16 years, something that has so drastically changed our way of life for better or worse. Director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin (adapting the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich) teamed up to make The Social Network in 2010, casting Jesse Eisenberg as the social media site founder Mark Zuckerberg, Andrew Garfield as best friend and CFO Eduardo Saverin, and Justin Timberlake as Napster founder Sean Parker (who played a key role in securing Facebook’s initial venture capital). Seeing the film eleven years later, I light of current events, the film had a much more profound effect on me than it did when I first saw it upon release. Eisenberg is perfect as the narcissistic genius Zuckerberg, delivering his lines with an almost emotionless quirkiness to them. Sorkin has always had a knack for writing natural dialogue (A Few Good Men, West Wing), and his script here is no exception. Fincher wraps it all up in his signature darkly-lit style that fits in nicely.
Video: 4.5/5
3D Rating: NA
Shot on Red One MX cameras in 4.5k resolution, The Social Network was completed as a 2K digital intermediate in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. Sony’s upscaled HEVC-encoded 2160p transfer is good, but not great, with the source material likely to blame. While still an improvement over the included 2011 Blu-ray release, the overall increase in detail is negligible and there are a few instances of barely noticeable edge-enhancement (which I assume is baked-in to the original 2K DI). The big improvement is in color fidelity and contrast, thanks to Dolby Vision HDR (the disc also includes HDR10). Colors have greater fidelity, despite the drab brown and yellow tones that permeate much of the look of the film. Blacks appear much deeper, but shadow details are not increased as dramatically.
Audio: 5/5
The default Dolby Atmos track (only available in an Unrated version) is a nice and noticeable improvement over the included DTS-HD MA 5.1 options (theatrical and unrated). This is a much more immersive track, not exactly demo material, though. Music selections as well as Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ score are extended to the additional surrounds and heights, and the atmospheric ambience of each setting is also more noticeable. LFE is stronger, particularly in the night club scenes. Dialogue is clear and understandable throughout (not including the techno-babble).
Special Features: 4/5
The UHD disc contains three trailers for the film, otherwise, Sony has included the 2-disc Blu-ray release that includes commentary tracks and featurettes.
UHD Disc:
Trailers (1080p; 5:14): Three theatrical trailers are included.
Blu-ray Disc One:
Audio Commentary with Director David Fincher
Audio Commentary with Aaron Sorkin and the Cast
Blu-ray Disc Two:
How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook? (1080p; 92:43)
Jeff Cronenweth and David Fincher on the Visuals (1080p; 7:48)
Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter and Ren Klyce on Post (1080p; 17:24)
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and David Fincher on the Score (1080p; 18:55)
In the Hall of the Mountain King: Music Exploration (1080p; 2:30)
Swarmatron (1080p; 4:28)
Ruby Skye VIP Room: Multi-Angle Scene Breakdown (1080p; 19:28)
Digital Copy: An insert contains a code to redeem a 4K digital copy on Movies Anywhere.
Overall: 4.5/5
The Social Network is a movie that has grown more socially relevant than it did upon its initial release. While still an improvement over the previous Blu-ray release, it is the least improved upon movie in the Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Volume 2 boxed set.
Todd Erwin has been a reviewer at Home Theater Forum since 2008. His love of movies began as a young child, first showing Super 8 movies in his backyard during the summer to friends and neighbors at age 10. He also received his first movie camera that year, a hand-crank Wollensak 8mm with three fixed lenses. In 1980, he graduated to "talkies" with his award-winning short The Ape-Man, followed by the cult favorite The Adventures of Terrific Man two years later. Other films include Myth or Fact: The Talbert Terror and Warren's Revenge (which is currently being restored). In addition to movie reviews, Todd has written many articles for Home Theater Forum centering mostly on streaming as well as an occasional hardware review, is the host of his own video podcast Streaming News & Views on YouTube and is a frequent guest on the Home Theater United podcast.
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