Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – 4K Review
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Warner Bros. | 2024
R | 2hrs 28mins | Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Staring: Anya Taylor-Joy | Chris Hemsworth | Tom Burke | Alyla Browne | George Shevtsov | Lachy Hulme
Directed by: George Miller
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? Occasionally hits reference, and the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack? Also hitting reference on occasions.
Entertainment: 4+
Video: 5-
Audio: 5-
Video: 4K HDR 10
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga was captured digitally in the ARRIRAW codec at 6.5K by cinematographer Simon Duggan using Arri Alexa 65 cameras with Arri Prime DNA 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 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. 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, flame throwers and debris are all well integrated into the live action with no distractions.
Contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots and the dazzling specular highlights to the deep and noise free inky blacks of the face paint and internal cavern shots, that showed excellent low level and shadow detail. In particular the specular highlights that add a beaming glow to the edge of clouds and a realistic sheen along many 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 vibrant colors, from its largely blue-and-orange desert location hues, to the virtually monochromatic palette of stray sandstorms and cool night sequences. 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 vibrant reds, yellows and fiery oranges to the vegetation greens and vast range of earth tones. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout looking very natural.
This video is very good on all fronts, providing a selection of reference HDR10 moments.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga roars into home theaters with an almost reference, 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.
The overall sound presentation is dynamic, with good sub involvement and moderate surround action. The soundstage is wide, and surrounds are often active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener both into calm environments and action-packed sonic spectacles alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and enclosure acoustics effects consistently pulling you into the many locals and environments, like the wide open deserts and caverns. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences steeped in surrounding activity and echo of voices to the explosions, gun fire, vehicle impacts, roaring truck and bike engines and chaotic mayhem. 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, a little more would have been appreciated! Supporting the roar of truck and bike engines, explosions, vehicle impacts, gun fire 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 an excellent mid-range and solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail no matter how loud and aggressive the action.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Tom Holkenborg offers a good supportive mix, being seamlessly immersive, perfectly clear, and presented 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 hits reference levels on several occasions.
Story Overview
With the world in tatters, Furiosa is kidnapped as a young girl (Alyla Browne) from the Green Place of Many Mothers by a horde of bikers controlled by their ruthless leader Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Furiosa now has to find the right moment to escape, which she does, finding her mother, Mary Jabassa (Charlee Fraser) who had set out to find her. Both are re-captured by Dementus, her mother killed and Furiosa is taken as his servant. Ten year pass and the now grown up Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) wants to seek justice to keep the promise that she made to her mother. Now Furiosa must deal with two war lords, the Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) and Dentus plus the treacherous wastelands as she tries to revenge her mother, keep her promise and return home.
My 2 cents
Definitely not in the same league for acting, action and reference video and audio as Fury Road. It provides an entertaining background to the development of the character of Furiosa, all supported by plenty of action in those post-apocalyptic and dystopian wastelands. An excellent performance by Anya Taylor-Joy but I felt that Chris Hemsworth was just a little sub-par.
Recommended for all fans.
Purchase from Amazon here.
