Monster Hunter – 4K Blu-ray Review
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Sony Pictures | 2020
PG13 | 1hrs 44 min | Fantasy | Adventure | Action
HD | 1080P | DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Upscaled 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Staring: Milla Jovovich, Ron Perlman, Meagan Good, Tony Jaa, Diego Boneta, Josh Helman
Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson
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 7.1 soundtrack sound like? Very good, and the 4K HDR10 video? Also very good to.
Entertainment: 4+
Video: 5-
Audio: 5
Technical Review – Upscaled 4K UHD HDR10
Monster Hunter was shot using Arri Alexa LF cameras using Zeiss Supreme Prime lenses. It was reportedly shot in 4.5K, finished as a 2K Digital Intermediate and given an HDR10 color timing pass for this Ultra HD release.
In a nutshell, the image quality, detail and clarity are very good and on occasions look almost reference quality. This dual-layer disc has been well authored and shows no excessive use of noise reduction or edge sharpening. Deep blacks abounded throughout, were generally noise free, and showed excellent low level detail as found in the underground gigantic spider caves. Peak whites and overall highlights provided clean detail with no clipping, like the edge of clouds, the high sheen of metallic surfaces and the lightning bolts from the Sky Tower, all providing a terrific dynamic contrast range.
Facial close-ups, for the entire cast, provide excellent detail, clarity and definition with very natural skin tones and accurate rendition of pores, eyelashes, hair, cuts, bruises and features without any undue exaggerations. Even the individual grains of sand in many of the desert shots and the individual hair strands are very distinct. Costume fabrics are well-defined as are the rock formations and crevices. Even though CG effects and integration are very good, all is not perfect. There are several instances where where the CG visuals appear a little soft, particularly in some of the more fast paced moments. However, these are fleeting moments and do not detract from the movies overall enjoyment.
Color fidelity is excellent with well saturated primaries and secondaries, having good color depth and density as well as accurate flesh tones. Much of the movie is set in a creamy/beige white sandscape that is well contrasted with intensely deep blue skies. The military uniforms exhibit fine nuances in brown, beige, and green hues. The monsters bright-red eyes, their red, yellow and orange fire breathing and the red lava and fire plumes are all well saturated. Earthy colors appear natural, like the greens of the oasis, and the fiery explosions from weapons lite up the screen.
Even though the image is not full of sizzling eye popping candy moments, the cinematography is excellent throughout and it certainly edges into the class of reference quality images, especially for an up-converted 2K DI.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Monster Hunter is presented with a Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system, delivering an extremely dynamic and enveloping surround sound experience. From the very opening scenes of the movie and right through to the closing titles there are prodigious levels of deep bass, extending well below 20Hz.
The overall sound presentation is very dynamic with excellent sub involvement and action from all surrounds, like the roar and shrieks of the monsters echoing all around, the violent winds from the sand storm, or debris raining down. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with movement in both the rear and side surrounds with the various atmospheric effects consistently pulling you into the many locals and environments. Action scenes are generally grand in scale exercising all speakers with gunfire appearing everywhere and chaos, pops, bangs, crashes and monster howls, growls and scratching enveloping the listener. Even the quieter dialogue-driven sequences come with subtle ambient effects often together with low levels of the musical score radiating from the surrounds, all helping to maintain a strong enveloping presence.
Great sub action certainly makes itself known during every action sequence, explosions and firefights, with a solid and very extended bottom end, having good punch and muscle where required. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive as action moves off-screen, with dialogue always clear and detailed with solid front-center imaging and prioritization, even during the movies more intense sonic moments. Music is smooth and detailed, with a tight and deep low end support and effortless integration within the sound stage.
There is nothing to criticize regarding this soundtrack, providing as it does, a reference level mix.
Story Overview
Based on the Capcom video game series of the same name, Paul W.S. Anderson’s Monster Hunter delivers an enjoyable, but mindless, B-quality fantasy adventure.
“There is said to be another world behind ours of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity.”
U.S. Army Captain Natalie Artemis (Milla Jovovich), and her UN security team of loyal soldiers are sent on a mission to determine what happened to a missing team of soldiers. A sand storm approaches and they are instantly transported to an alternate universe. Trapped on this barren, dessert-world, the team soon encounters monsters of formidable ferocity and size finding their weapons are no match to take down these gigantic beasts. During their desperate and deadly battles for survival the unit encounters a mysterious local huntsman (Tony Jao), whose unique combat skills had managed to keep him one step ahead of the many gigantic creatures. After a rocky start Artemis and the hunter eventually build trust in each and “gear up” to face the mighty sand dwelling beast, the Diablos. If Atremis is to return to her world she will need more than just the help of the huntsman. Is there an escape from this living hell, and what powers do the distant tower hold?
My 2 cents
I have to say that I knew nothing of this game series and it caught me by surprise as on several occasions I found myself having to remember to breath! I am sure that for the avid gamers this movie may not be all that they hoped for. However, as a stand alone eye and ear candy movie it certainly makes the grade. This is a very entertaining adaptation that teleports to Ultra HD creating an excellent 4K presentation, with a solid and powerful soundtrack. If you don’t get hung up on the trivia this is definitely an entertaining 106 minutes.
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