expiredphoinix | Staff posted Mar 03, 2026 08:25 PM
Item 1 of 3
Item 1 of 3
expiredphoinix | Staff posted Mar 03, 2026 08:25 PM
$14.99 | Wicked (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital) at Amazon
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from Bluray:
Wicked 4K looks impeccable. As good as the 1080p presentation is, and it's very good, every element sees improvement here. Depth and dimensionality are improved and are at times almost three-dimensional, inviting viewers into Oz at every turn. Primaries dazzle and are immediately appreciated in the rainbow of poppies surrounding Munchkinland. The Dolby Vision grading offers a subtle but much-appreciated enhancement and expansion to the color palette, as, for instance, witnessed in the Yellow Brick Road that runs through Munchkinland (and Oz) and in Elphaba herself. Both benefit from appearing more richly saturated and convincing than what is seen on the Blu-ray. Not limited to yellows and greens, all colors are more richly saturated. Fine detail is spectacular no matter where one chooses to linger. Fabrics have a delightful realistic texture, as is greatly observable from the beginning of the film in Munchkinland when the crowd gathers to receive confirmation of the news from Glinda. Rough-spun garments of the less well-off are chunky and fibrous, while by contrast, Glinda's multilayer gossamer gown reveals the intricacies of the tulle, and each sequin is defined. The fur on the numerous animal characters is excellently rendered, moving naturally in response to wind and the animal's movements, with their coloration blending and transitioning from one color to another quite believably. Facial particulars are precise and abundant. Each freckle on young Elphaba's face is distinguishable. Even long shots tracking characters through their environments and aerial shots allowing the viewer to understand the scope and scale of Oz never waver in their ability to deliver incredibly detailed sights. Darker or shadowed scenes yield more gradation and visible detail. It's a reference-quality transfer.
As is the case with Universal's Dolby Atmos Tracks, the levels are a bit lower, but the overall beauty and sophistication of the track is undeniable. Once viewers have found their preferred listening level, they will be treated to lively and impressively immersive track. Bass is seriously deep surrounds are used nearly constantly. They support music, primarily for instrumentation, with lead and backing vocals focused in the front channels. Singing is handled exceptionally well, with Grande's amazing soprano notes remaining perfectly clear and defect-free even as she hits some truly jaw-dropping notes. Large production numbers, and there are quite a few, robustly fill the sound stage. Directionality is precise with objects and characters moving with excellent fluidity throughout the sound stage. Sound effects are lusciously deep; huge doors boom shut and the massive fire when the effigy of the Wicked Witch of the West is burned roars to violent and destructive life. Likewise the train that takes Elphaba to the Emerald City rumbles with impressive depth. No matter the din created by the action of even the film's busiest scenes dialogue is always clean and intelligible, properly prioritized above all else, from Dr. Dillamond's increasingly animalist delivery, to Goldblum's soothing and honey-dripping lothario-like enticements. Due to the variety of material and sounds handled, and the constant and complex demands placed upon it, it's a wonderful track to use to either show-off or explore and appreciate one's home theater set-up.
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