Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – 4K UHD Review
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Warner Bros. | 2024
PG-13 | 1hr 44mins | Comedy | Dark Humor | Fantasy | Horror | Supernatural
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1 | Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Staring: Michael Keaton | Winona Ryder | Catherine O’Hara | Justin Theroux | Monica Bellucci | Jenna Ortega
Directed by: Tim Burton
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 Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack? Also very good.
Entertainment: 4+
Video: 5-
Audio: 5-
Video: 4K HDR 10
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice was captured digitally by cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos in the 4K RAW format using the Sony CineAlta Venice 2 camera with Panavision APO Panatar, Ultra Panatar and Ultra Panatar II lenses. It was finished as a 4K Digital Intermediate at the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and graded for HDR for this 4K release in both Dolby Vision and HDR10. This triple-layer BD100 disc has been well authored and shows no use of noise reduction or edge sharpening and no obvious compression artifacts or significant noise, save that added to the black and white sequence to simulate the film stock of the associated period. The package also contains a redeemable digital code.
With the film shot in a high resolution format, this 4K release has excellent overall image clarity with a good display of crisp, sharp detail, with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads and facial close-ups provide excellent detail and definition, from the costume fabrics and stitching to the various material finishes. Facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands, sweat, facial grime and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are very good, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots and never looking soft. Even sand, sand grains and dust looked very natural. Effects like explosions, flying objects and debris are all well integrated into the live action with no distractions.
Although an overall darker style movie, contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots to the deep inky blacks of the black and white sequence and funeral clothing fabrics, that showed excellent low level and shadow detail. In particular the specular highlights of candles and various lighting, the beaming glow to the edge of clouds and a realistic sheen along various metallic surfaces. All providing a true-to-live impact, generating a very good dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots, creating a very good depth of image.
The color palette presents with a solid array of colors, from the blue, green, purple and brown tinged scenes to the many shades of neon lighting in the afterlife, the earthy tones of Winter Rush to the monochromatic palette of the black and white sequence. Color fidelity is very good throughout with vivid and well saturated primaries and secondary’s, all having good color depth and density, hues are bold and vibrant, from the reds of; Winona Ryder’s dress, the front stoop chair, the plane stripe, the NY city shop neon’s and school jacket trim, the yellow suits of the underworld goons, the many shades of neon lighting in the afterlife to the green foliage and open valley forested landscapes and vast range of earthy tones. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout looking very natural.
This video is very good on all fronts, providing an excellent HDR10 viewing and hitting reference levels on the odd occasion.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice creeps into home theaters with an excellent, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The soundtrack was engaging whether during an emotional drama or an action scene having extended bass, clarity and dynamics. This occasionally aggressive presentation pulling out the stops for the film’s moody, macabre and atmospheric soundscape.
The overall sound presentation is dynamic, with good sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is wide, and surrounds are often active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that envelopes the viewer in the environment of its characters. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and room acoustics effects consistently pulling you into the many locals and environments, like the wide open desert and various rooms. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences steeped in surrounding activity and echo of voices to the above and below ground activities. All fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you “in the mix”.
Sub action is solid, having the low-end extension that this movie deserves. Supporting the sand worms impacts, explosions, music and more. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue is always crystal clear and well detailed with an excellent mid-range and solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail no matter how loud the action.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Danny Elfman offers a good supportive mix, being immersive, perfectly clear, and presenting with good bass. Hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects the score provides a light spill into the surrounds and very good integration within the soundstage.
A very good audio track that occasionally hits reference levels.
Story Overview
The years have rolled on and now Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) is a medium and host of a popular TV show Ghost House with her boyfriend Rory (Justin Theroux), who serves as the show’s producer. Delia (Catherine O’Hara), Lydia’s stepmother, is a successful artist, while Lydia’s teenage daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) has been estranged from Lydia since her father’s death. After the death of Lydia’s father Charles in a tragic plane crash, they all return home to the Deetz family home in Winter River, Connecticut for the funeral. During this intervening time Betelgeuse (Michael Keaton) has been biding his time in the afterlife as a hustler behind a desk, and unbeknown to Beetlejuice his ex-wife Delores (Monica Belluci) has returned from the grave seeking revenge.
Lydia’s life is once again turned on its head when Astrid discovers the old model of the town in the attic, accidentally opening the portal to the afterlife and engaging the services of the mischievous demon Beetlejuice who returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem. With Astrid now in the afterlife and Delores and former actor turned detective Wolf Jackson (Willem Dafoe) hot on Beetlejuice’s trail, Lydia is forced to ask Betelgeuse for help.
My 2 cents
Sorry to say but this is just not the same caliber as the original Beetlejuice. Too many subplots and the screenplay and acting were sub par. The juice is not too loose in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the legacy sequel to Burton’s beloved original classic film. Yes, it is an almost reference-grade presentation of video and audio, but it couldn’t hold my attention.
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