Hobbs & Shaw – Blu-ray 4K Review
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Fast & Furious presents: Hobbs & Shaw 2019
Universal Studios 2019
PG13 | 2hrs 16 min | Action | Adventure
HD | 1080P | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Upscaled 4K | 2160P | Dolby Vision+ | HDR10+ | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Staring: Dwayne Johnson | Jason Statham | Idris Elba | Vanessa Kirby | Helen Mirren| Eiza Gonzalez
Directed by: David Leitch
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’.
Not having immersive audio yet, what did the 7.1 soundtrack sound like? Excellent in all respects, and the 4K HDR10 video? Generally very good.
Entertainment: 5
Video: 5-
Audio: 5-
Technical Review – 4K UHD HDR10
Hobbs & Shaw is yet another 2K movie that was upscaled to 4K. It was shot digitally in the ARRIRAW codec at 2.8K and 3.4K, using the Arri Alexa Mini and SXT cameras both with Hawk class-X lenses. It was finished as a 2K Digital Intermediate.
This upconverted 4K transfer squeezes everything it can from the 2K format. The picture is generally sharp and well defined and shows no obvious source noise or any compression or upscalling artifacts. The close-ups explode in detail, clarity and definition showing stellar skin tones. From costumes to pores, eyelashes and skin, sweat, tattoos, muscle fiber and veins, all show exceptional clarity. Unfortunately I found several of the CGI backgrounds and special effects, of which there are many, to be less well focussed and on occasion a little soft; especially when compared to the stunning closeups. Colors are well saturated and on occasions exceptionally brilliant. Contrast and dynamic range were excellent with very good black levels and stellar peak whites neither showing any compression and both providing good detail.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Hobbs & Shaw features both a Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD 7.1 sound track, the latter to which my system defaults. This is a very active soundtrack for all channels and provides some stellar 0.1 channel sub action. Its truly a sock-em and rock-em offering, never relenting in its intensity and fury and pushing the movie along at full speed. Supporting the actions direction it provides excellent surround and rear support for the complex action sequences and atmospherics of the various locales. Shootouts, jets, car chases and explosions emanate from every speaker. Sub action certainly makes itself known during many of the action sequences, explosions and firefights. Dialogue was always clear and detailed with solid front-center imaging and prioritization, even during the high action sequences.
With pounding bass and driving beats this movie also features adrenaline-heavy music tracks from Aloe Blacc, Idris Elba, Tha Movement, and YUNGBLUD. The music running through Hobbs & Shaw is like a NOS button for your ears, guaranteed to get you fired up and slot you straight into the over pumped action.
There is little to criticize regarding this soundtrack, providing as it does, a top flight mix.
Story Overview
Led by Hattie Shaw (Vanessa Kirby) a heavily armed MI6 team, fails to take out a ruthless enemy who are in possession of the dangerous CT17 “Snowflake” virus. At the last moment Hattie has no choice but to implant the virus in herself to keep it out of the wrong hands. Unfortunately for Hattie her foe, Brixton Lore (Idris Elba), a cyber-genetically enhanced villain who makes use of highly advanced technology to give himself superhuman strength, detailed combat data analysis, and bullet immunity, frames her for the ‘virus’ theft and murder.
Outcast Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) and DSS lawman Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) are both activated to form an unlikely alliance to find Hattie and retrieve the “Snowflake” virus
The rest of the story is just a facilitator to fill out this absurdly large movie with some of the most outrageous, daring, dynamic, and impressive stunts seen in this or any other franchise.
My 2 cents
What a thrill ride! This is a pure popcorn movie, as highly entertaining as it is totally improbable. With ‘over the top’ action sequences, fight scenes and insane stunts, this is clearly a special effects junkie’s dream come true. Having a very tenuous connection to the Fast & Furious franchise, its purpose is clearly just to entertain. There are also lots of tongue in cheek comedic moments and well timed humor to go with the ‘right to the point’ language.
An entertaining 136 minutes that my entire family and I enjoyed.
