Fully Immersed, Volume 28
With Halloween now behind us and the calendar turned to November, the holiday shopping craze is once again upon us. Black Friday deals have already started appearing and Election Day mailers have been replaced by store catalogues and sale circulars. And while I'm not yet sure what I'll be asking Santa to bring me this year, I do know there's a bunch of new Dolby Atmos and DTS:X releases to choose from. Here are just a few of the immersive audio titles we can look forward to unwrapping:
I plan to cover at least a few of the above titles soon so watch this space.
Catching Up
Before I get to the titles I've listened to most recently, let me quickly spotlight a few titles released in recent weeks which are worthy of your attention. Sony's funny Step Brothers and family favorite Hook each received a compelling new Dolby Atmos soundtrack for their 4K Ultra HD debut. Universal similarly bestowed the Dolby Atmos treatment on The Rock's Die Hard-esque actioner Skyscraper as well as their toe-tapping Mamma Mia! sequel, Here We Go Again. Lastly, Lionsgate brought The Spy Who Dumped Me to disc featuring Mila Kunis, Kate McKinon, and - the real star of the show - Dolby Atmos.
What else is new? I'm glad you asked. Here are a few of the latest immersive audio releases I've been listening to...
Air Force One 4K
Sony | Buy Now | Dolby Atmos available on 4K UHD only
Given the daily barrage of outrageous news and soundbites coming out of the White House these days, you have to be a glutton for punishment to spin up Harrison Ford as a stoic, brave, compassionate, and well-spoken President of the United States. For those who can handle the suspension of disbelief, Sony's new 4K Ultra HD release of Wolfgang Petersen's Air Force One has a lot to offer. Although the ending still features an unfortunate bit of cringe-worthy CGI, there's still plenty to like about this tense, well-acted "Die Hard on a plane" actioner. Considering this is a 20-year-old film with only a mediocre repuation, I was stunned to discover that Sony's new Dolby Atmos soundtrack is utterly fantastic, breathing new life into this old favorite. Jerry Goldsmith's Presidential score sounds full and incredibly robust and dialogue is crystal clear throughout. The President's speech in the opening scene - set in a large, high-ceilinged hall - takes full advantage of the height channels, employing subtle and effective reverberation befitting the enormous space. Jet fighters and missiles frequently pass in and out of not only the surrounds but also the new overhead channels. There's also a fun sonic moment where the titular aircraft lands only to take off again moments later - without slowing down; listeners will be ducking and covering as the enormous plane soars directly overhead. Highly recommended.
The Incredibles 2 4K
Disney | Buy Now | Dolby Atmos available on 4K UHD only
We've watched several sequels to lesser Pixar films come and go since the original Incredibles debuted 14 years ago. Fans began to doubt whether we'd ever get to see the continuing adventures of Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl, and their precocious, super-powered offspring. Thankfully, good things come to those who wait. Interestingly, the sequel picks up right where the original left off, which is both a blessing and curse. Although this decision provides a welcome reminder of how the original film ended, not much has changed with respect to how society feels about "Supers." The story this time aims to change that dynamic but it re-covers some familiar ground along the way. Nitpicks aside, the role reversal and family drama surrounding Mr. Incredible's transition to Mr. Mom is amusing to say the least, the action is better than ever, and Jack-Jack's battle with a malevolent racoon is sure to have the entire family rolling. Exclusive to the 4K release, Disney gives The Incredibles 2 a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that is, well, incredible. Lively and engaging, this immersive mix takes full advantage of the entire sound field, occasionally using the overheads to clever effect. During a conversation between Elastigirl and The Screenslaver, a dome separates the two characters. The editing makes great use of the overheads to convey voices being broadcast by a ceiling mounted-intercom. And every time Jack-Jack teleports into another dimension, his disembodied babbles and squeaks can be hear floating in the vaulted ceiling space high above the listener. Fun stuff.
The Matrix Trilogy 4K
Warner | Buy Now | Dolby Atmos available on 4K UHD only
Back in May, Warner Bros. released the original Matrix in a standalone 4K Ultra HD edition. As I wrote then, The Matrix has always been go-to demo material for home theater fans but this Atmos track kicks everything up to 11. Dialogue is crystal clear, bass is incredibly deep and tight when called for, and bullet time takes on added dimension with the new height channels in the mix. It was, of course, only a matter of time before Warner brought the complete Matrix Trilogy to 4K Ultra HD and they have recently done exactly that. After the mind-blowing novelty that was the original Matrix - arguably an impossible act to follow - it's unsurprising that Reloaded and Revolutions have decidedly mixed reputations. Neither stands as tall as the original film but each sequel features at least a few inspired beats of sci-fi action mayhem and plenty of heady, noodle-baking dialogue to inspire discussion after the credits roll. Thankfully, Reloaded and Revolutions both sound every bit as good as the first film thanks to these gangbusters new Dolby Atmos soundtracks. Reloaded features a thrilling car chase with Trinity, Morpheus, and The Keymaker attempting to escape a pair of silver, ghostlike baddies and the ensuing gunfights, fistfights, and automobile acrobatics on the freeway will leave you grinning. And it should be no surprise to learn that the machines' attack on the city of Zion in Revolutions will tax every surround and overhead speaker in your Atmos system, with gunfire from the mech suits and numerous explosions ensuring your subwoofer doesn't feel left out. Highly recommended.
Superman: The Movie 4K
Warner | Buy Now | Dolby Atmos available on 4K UHD only
With the seemingly endless parade of superhero films swooping, slicing, and clawing their way through multiplexes these days, it's hard to imagine that there was a time when comic book superheroes were not a mainstay of cinematic pop culture. In point of fact through, it wasn't until Richard Donner's Superman hit theaters in December of 1978 that audiences started to "believe a man can fly," as the posters said. Starring a pitch perfect Christopher Reeve as the last son of Krypton, a sassy Margot Kidder as reporter Lois Lane, and the great Gene Hackman as evil genius Lex Luthor, Donner's superb Superman wrote the playbook that countless superhero films have since attempted to follow. In honor of its 40th anniversary, Warner has delivered the film to 4K Ultra HD featuring an all-new Dolby Atmos soundtrack that seems at once respectful of the film's original presentation and also evolved, taking occasional advantage of the new height channels to make things more immersive. The opening credits, for example, whoosh onto the screen with more energy - and from more directions - than ever before. The film's opening on Krypton makes good use of the height channels during Jor El's indictment of General Zod and his minions before the Council; the Council members' voices convincingly descend upon the listener from their elevated, disembodied heads. And after the verdict, Zod, Ursa, and Non become imprisoned within the mirror-like Phantom Zone and the overhead channels are again used smartly as the mirror flips and floats offscreen, passing over and behind the listener before finally fading away. Highly recommended.
The Big Lebowski 4K
Universal | Buy Now | DTS:X available on 4K UHD only
The uninitiated may not be fully aware of what it means to be a "Coen Brothers film." Looking at Joel and Ethan Coen's lengthy filmography, from older films like Blood Simple and Raising Arizona to more recent efforts such as Inside Llewyn Davis and Hail, Caesar!, the through line may not be immediately evident. However, for anyone who has seen all of their films, especially more than once, it gets increasingly easier to spot their brilliant handiwork. Whether it's the sharp, black humor, the unexpected punctuations of violence, or the plethora of off-kilter and quirky yet likeable characters, the Coen Brothers' films have become a unique sub-genre unto themselves. And if that sub-genre needed a poster child, it would definitely be The Big Lebowski. A cult classic if ever there was one, The Big Lebowski is celebrating its 20th anniversary and Universal is helping The Dude and company celebrate in proper fashion with a new 4K Ultra HD edition, complete with a new DTS:X soundtrack. Although the newly-added height channels aren't used for much in the way of discreet effects, they really do tie the room together and contribute to the film sounding fuller and more spacious than ever before - particularly during the trippy dream sequences. Dialogue is clear and intelligible throughout and bass is sufficiently deep when called for, which admittedly isn't often. Lastly, if you're a diehard Lebowski fan and you're struggling with what to put on your wish list this year, the search is over. In addition to a standalone 4K release, Universal has also released a 20th Anniversary Limited Edition 4K gift set (shown below). The set contains a collectible bag, bowling ball pencil holder, Dude sweater disc packaging, and a polishing cloth in the style of The Dude's rug.
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