Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – 4K Review
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Disney/Buena Vista | 2022
PG13 | 2hrs 41 min | Fantasy | Sc-Fi | Action | Adventure
HD | 1080P | DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Native 4K | 2160P | Dolby Vision | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1 | DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Staring: Letitia Wright | Lupita Nyong’o | Danai Gurira | Winston Duke | Angela Bassett | José Tenoch Huerta Mejía
Directed by: Ryan Coogler
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, but not reference, and the 7.1 soundtrack? Lack luster.
Entertainment: 4+
Video: 5-
Audio: 4-
Technical Review – Native 4K UHD HDR10
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was captured digitally in the RAW codec at 3.4K and 6.0K by cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw using Sony CineAlta Venice IMAX with Rialto extension system and Panavision T-Series, Macro Auto Panatar and Ultra Panatar lenses. It was finished as a 4K Digital Intermediate at the 2.39:1 aspect ratio and graded for HDR for this 4K release in both Dolby Vision and HDR10. This dual-layer BD66 disc has been well authored and shows no excessive use of noise reduction or edge sharpening and no significant noise. Also given the movies length and use of a lowish bit rate there were few compression artifacts. The package also contains the HD version with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 and a redeemable digital code.
This movie is colorful and contains quite a number of darker scenes. With the film being shot at such a high resolution format, this 4K release has very good overall image clarity and plenty of crisp, sharp detail with refined texturing. Clothing, threads and facial close-ups provide very good detail and definition. From the intricate designs of the various costumes and exterior surfaces to the interior of the Wakandan throne room. Close ups reveal ample fine detail and textures as seen in the physical features of the cast members. Facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes and hair strands are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. Skin tones look wonderfully natural throughout. Heavy-duty CGI and special effects integration are generally good, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots but occasionally looking soft or out of focus on some wider shots. Effects like explosions, flying objects, debris and smoke are well integrated into the live action with few distractions.
Deep blacks abound throughout, were noise free, and showed good low level and shadow detail as found in the various shadowy underwater shots, the night street chase, the shoreline near the lake in Wakandan and Talokan’s dark and atmospheric environments. Peak whites and overall highlights provided clean detail with no obvious clipping, from flames and fires to the dazzling specular highlights off glass and metallic gold and silver costume surfaces, the Wakandan throne room, Shuri’s vision and the blue-black sheen of T’Challa’s casket. All creating a good dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both interior and exterior shots, creating a good depth of image.
Color fidelity is very good throughout being used to set the mood of the scene, with vivid and well saturated primaries and secondaries, all having good color depth and density. Hues are bold and vibrant varying from sullen and inanimate to warm and inviting. The color palette is full of bold and rich reds, aqua blues, greens, purples, bold yellows and brilliant metallic silvers and golds, as seen in Queen Ramonda’s royal trappings. From the colors of Wakanda’s and Tahiti’s earthen tones, the Wakandan throne room and its guards uniforms, the funeral procession, to the aqua blues and greens of Namor’s realm, all being wonderfully captured.
This image is very good on all fronts, but does not quite rise to reference level.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrives with a Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. I found the soundtrack only just acceptable especially during the action scenes, having mediocre bass and poor dynamics. Basically a sonic bore. Once again I had to raise my level by +6dB to overcome the usual Disney audio afflictions. Even with this help, the track is lacking in audio luster and is in typical Disney fashion lacking in dynamics.
The overall mix sounds compressed, having moderate sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is wide, and surrounds are active with ambience, directional cues and movement delivering an environment that places the listener into both calm environments and action-packed visual spectacles alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with moderate movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and room acoustics, like the acoustics of Wakandan throne room and underwater caves. From flying ships, jet packs and debris, car crashes, explosions, general chaos and mayhem, shout, screams and the climatic ocean battle, to quieter moments with subtle ambient effects like the silence of the forests and acoustics of the underwater caves, all energizing the surrounds helping to keep you engaged.
Even at an elevated level, the sub action is mediocre having no serious, low-end, hard hitting extension that this movie so deserves. Low bass is definitely present, but it doesn’t do justice to the movie whether supporting the inspired score or the general chaos of the action and battle sequences. However, at the elevated level it does provide a degree of support for the action sequences; from the car chase, Shuri’s descent into the depths with Namor, his attack on Wakanda, and the film’s climactic ocean battle to explosions, general chaos, mayhem and collapsing structures. 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 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 Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, offers a competent mix, but with a somber tone, restricted dynamics and little bass, whether we are talking about the orchestral compositions or hip-hop/pop tracks. The mix hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects with very light spill into the surrounds and generally good integration within the soundstage
A mediocre sound track that doesn’t do justice to the almost reference video.
Story Overview
After King T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) death, invading forces from around the world target Wakanda’s vibranium, unleashing chaos. Now Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Ayo (Florence Kasumba) together the mighty Dora Milaje warriors must fight to protect their nation from the invading world powers. With the emergence of a mysterious Mexican civilization from the depths of the sea, the Wakandans must strive to embrace their next chapter, their heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) if they are to forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
My 2 cents
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has the distinction of being the 30th Marvel film, and that is where it ranks in my enjoyment. The movie is over focussed, maybe rightfully so, on homage to Chadwick Boseman and is bogged down under the weight of grief, reverence and the need to introduce new heroes. Action is limited to a few skirmishes here and there with the one final climatic battle sequence. The movie is colorful with good video and a heartfelt storyline, but it lacks pace and a competent audio mix which is what really breaks the bank for me.
With the audio mix representing about 50% of my movie enjoyment, my inclination for buying more Disney/Marvel movies is rapidly waning. It sounds to me that Disney no longer cares about audio, just wanting to sell the next Marvel movie.
Purchase from Amazon here.
