65 – 4K UHD Review
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Sony Pictures | 2023
PG13 | 1hr 33mins | Action | SciFi | Adventure | Thriller
HD | 1080P | DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Staring: Adam Driver | Ariana Greenblatt | Chloe Coleman | Nika King
Directed by: Scott Beck | Bryan Woods
Ratings & Reviews
Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.
My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.
So what did the 4K HDR10 video look like? Very good, and the 7.1 soundtrack? Also very good.
Entertainment: 4
Video: 4+
Audio: 4+
Technical Review – Native 4K UHD HDR10
65 was captured digitally by cinematographer Salvatore Totino in the X-OCN-XT codec at 6K resolution, using Sony Venice cameras with Hawk V-Lite and V-Plus anamorphic lenses and was finished as a native 4K Digital Intermediate at the 2.39:1 aspect ratio. For its release on Ultra HD, the film has been graded for high dynamic range for both Dolby Vision and HDR10.
Despite an appreciably amount of this movie taking place at night in murky and atmospheric environments, in dark areas, caves and in the shadows, the movies overall darker appearance is never dull or excessively dark and the image manages to punch its way onto your screen as a good HDR10 presentation. However, there are few moments that can be said to visually dazzle the viewer.
With the film shot in a high resolution format, this 4K release has very good overall image clarity with crisp, sharp detail and refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads and facial close-ups all provide good detail and definition. From the spacecraft, forest and dinosaur details to the textures of the space suits, shirts and guns. Facial pores, sweat, wrinkles, grime, hair strands and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI, special effects and creature integration are good, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots and never looking soft. Effects like fiery explosive rounds, flying and falling objects, debris and creature engagements are well integrated into the live action with no distractions.
The dark spaceship, night and cave scenes all showed good contrast balance throughout, from the uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots and the specular highlights of exploding meteors to the deep and noise free inky night and cave interior blacks that showed excellent low level and shadow detail. Individual clouds, sunlight, various light sources, shooting meteors, metallic objects and gun blasts all sparkle with a degree of realism. All creating a good dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots, creating a good depth of image.
The color palette presents with an array of many natural and earthy tones. Color fidelity is good throughout with a few vivid and well saturated primaries and secondaries, all having good color depth and density. From the various foliage lush jungle greens, the spaceship grays, gun display blues, the brown and sepia tones of the rocks and sand, to the bright yellows and reds of the striking meteors, flying sparks and explosions and deep blood reds. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout looking very natural.
This video is very good on most fronts, providing an enjoyable HDR10 image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
65 stomps into home theaters with a pleasing Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The soundtrack was quite engaging whether during a quiet conversation or an action scene, having solid bass, good clarity and moderate dynamics. Rear channels being used extensively to convey the atmospheres of various spaces, locations and outdoor environments, supporting directional and atmospheric cues alike.
The overall sound presentation is moderately dynamic, with good sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is wide and surrounds are constantly active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener into both calm and action-packed environments alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and room acoustics effects pulling you into the various locals and environments, like the beach, forest and crashed spaceship hull. From those dialogue sequences steeped in the surrounding activity of lapping waves and wind, rain, the silence and rustles of the forest, to the shouts and screams, gunfire, dinosaur calls and general chaos and mayhem. All fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you engaged.
Sub action is extended, having a solid, impactful extension. Low frequency effects are there as required, they are quite deep and add weight to the asteroid field encounter, space ship crash, impactful gunfire and dinosaur roars. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue was always clear and well detailed with solid front-center imaging and prioritization, even during all the action sequences.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Chris Bacon and Danny Elfman keeps you immersed from the opening moments. It provides a very supportive and well integrated mix for both the aggressive and more relaxed scenes equally well. Presenting with good bass and hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects, the score provides a light spill into the surrounds and excellent integration within the soundstage.
A very good audio track but it’s a little short on impact and excitement.
Story Overview
On the planet Somaris, pilot Mills convinces his wife Alya (Nia King) that he should go on a two-year space expedition to earn the money needed to medical treat their daughter Nevine (Chloe Coleman) who is dying. During the journey the ship, Zoic, is truck by an uncharted asteroid storm. The resulting damage forces the craft to crash land on an uncharted planet that turns out to be earth 65 million years ago. All but Mills and a child named Koa (Ariana Greenblatt) are killed. Now they have to contact home and reach the escape craft that landed miles from where the main craft crashed. The journey takes them through the jungles, forests and caves from 65 million years ago, forcing them to tackle all sorts of vicious and huge dinosaurs that are trying to eat them. Pity they had to crash on earth just 12 hours before most life is due to be extinguished by the giant meteor.
My 2 cents
If you’re a fan of the sci-fi/action genre, you might find 65 moderately entertaining, but it lacks the kind of survival thriller/horror action that I and so many others are so often eager for. At least Adam Driver seems to put effort into his character and the video and audio is generally candy for your your eyes and ears.
Purchase from Amazon here.
