Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania – 4K Review
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Disney/Buena Vista | 2023
PG13 | 2hrs 4mins | Comic Book | Action | SciFi | Adventure
HD | 1080P | DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Staring: Paul Rudd | Evangeline Lilly | Michael Douglas | Michelle Pfeiffer | Jonathan Majors | Kathryn Newton
Directed by: Peyton Reed
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: 5-
Audio: 4+
Technical Review – Native 4K UHD HDR10
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania was captured digitally by cinematographer Bill Pope in ARRIRAW 4.5K and Redcode RAW 8K codecs using
The image jumps onto your screen as an almost reference HDR10 presentation. Despite the movie mostly being played out in the darker realms of Quantumania, the image has plenty of pop, contrast and color with a few eye reactive moments from the real world shots and explosions. With the film shot in high resolution formats, this 4K release has good overall image clarity with plenty of crisp, sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Real buildings, objects, clothing, threads, CGI textures and facial close-ups provide excellent detail and definition, from the costume detailing to the CGI structures of the various Quantumania buildings and beings. Human facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands and features are all accurately rendered with few undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are generally good, having realistic textures and blending well with the real action. Occasionally some of the backgrounds appeared slightly out-of-focus, there are a few mediocre CGI effects and some of the CGI characters where just that, lifeless flat CGI! Effects like explosions, flying objects, debris and smoke are quite well integrated into the live action with few distractions.
Contrast balance was good throughout. From the brilliant uncompressed whites of several daylight exterior shots and specular highlights to the deep inky blacks of space, the Quantum realm and various interiors that showed good low level and shadow detail. Peak whites and specular highlights from the twinkling stars and blazing sun, to the many light sources, various CGI metallic objects and surfaces and explosions all sparkle with a degree of realism. All creating a good dynamic contrast range and depth of image, enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots.
Color fidelity is good throughout with vivid and well saturated primaries and secondaries, all having good color depth and density, hues are bold and vibrant without being “cartoonish”. From the colorful quantum realm that exudes color, to the natural tones of the real world shots. From the realms primary color array, the blues of the sky’s, the reds, fiery oranges and brilliant yellows of explosions and laser fire to the warmth of the many secondary hues of reddish orange, strong yellows, violets, cerulean blues and brown dirt. With human skin tones and facial complexions looking very natural throughout.
This video is very good on all fronts, creating an almost HDR10 reference image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania provides a respectable Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. However, in typical Disney fashion I had to raise levels +4dB and the bass was still less than stellar.
The overall sound presentation is moderately dynamic, with average sub involvement and good surround action. The soundstage is quite wide and surrounds are often active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener into both the quieter and action-packed environments alike. From the various battle locations in the Realm, to the live action shots on the streets and in the cafe, effects placement are accurate and natural, with plenty of movement in both the rear and side surrounds. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences steeped in surrounding activity as Ant-Man (Scott Lang) walks the streets of NY and buys his coffee, to the roaring spaceships, laser fire, falling debris, exploding spaceships and structures, all fill the surrounds keeping you engaged in the mix.
Sub action is just acceptable during the action sequences with levels turned up. Supporting the roar of the spaceship engines and explosions, laser canons, weapons fire, CGI character destruction and spaceship crashes. Imaging is generally broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue is always clear and well detailed with solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail even during the many battle scenes.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Christopher Beck offers a good supportive mix. Levels hit a good balance between the dialogue and effects providing a light spill into the surrounds and good integration within the soundstage.
A good audio track that compliments the video, but it lacks impact and excitement.
Story Overview
Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) AKA Ant-Man, a former Baskin-Robbins employee is now pushing his new best selling memoir, while Hope (Evangeline Lilly) AKA The Wasp, is saving the world through her company, both having earlier helped to save the world. Unbeknown to Scott, his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton) has been working on a beacon to map the Quantum Realm and after he bails her out of jail he discovers what she had be doing. During a demonstration of the beacon and before Janet (Michelle Pfeiffer) can stop it, they are all transported to the mysterious Quantum Realm. An environment filled with weird and strange new creatures that is ruled by the tyrannical Kang the Conquerer (Jonathan Majors) and his deadly minion M.O.D.O.K (Corey Stoll’s head), a Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing. Exploring this new realm, can the team stop Kang’s dastardly plans and safely return to the real world?
My 2 cents
I just managed to enjoy this movie, it felt like an animation with live characters; which of course is what it is. While the video was often good eye candy, I found the movie rather bland and uninspiring. If you are a fan of this genre and series I am sure you will find this two hour movie entertaining.
Purchase from Amazon here.
