Oppenheimer – 4K UHD Blu-ray – Review
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Universal Pictures | 2023
PG13 | 3hrs | History | Biography | Drama
HD | 1080P | DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Aspect Ratios: 1.78:1 | 2.20:1
Staring: Cillian Murphy | Emily Blunt | Matt Damon | Robert Downey Jr. | Florence Pugh | Josh Hartnett
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
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’.
This 5.1 soundtrack hits reference level, and the video? Pure reference.
Entertainment: 5
Video: 5+
Audio: 5
Technical Review – 4K UHD HDR10
Oppenheimer was shot photochemically by cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema using a mix of 5-perf 65 mm and 15-perf IMAX 65 mm color and black-and-white film. Cameras used by the production, included; the Arriflex 435, IMAX MKlll, IMAX MKIV, IMAX MSM 9802, and Panavision Panaflex System 65 Studio camera, with a mix of Panavision Sphero 65, Panavision System 65, and Hasselblad lenses. The final 65 mm master interpositive was created using the edit decision list (EDL) from an 8K scan of the stock footage that was created in an AVID edit system. For the movies release on Ultra HD, a 4K master was created from the 8K digital scans, and feature a variable aspect ratio switching between 1.78:1 and 2.20:1. The digital presentation was color graded for high dynamic range in HDR10.
The image is quite stunning being very similar to the that of Top Gun: Maverick, creating a terrific reference HDR10 presentation. With the film shot on film and using an 8K original photochemical film scan, this 4K release has outstanding overall image clarity with a dazzling display of crisp, razor sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads and facial close-ups all provide terrific detail and definition. From the internal and external building detail, the textures of the suits, shirts, dresses, structural wood framing to the sand, sparks popping off of flames, glass shards and the tiny cottonwood blossoms blowing in the wind. Facial closeups were outstanding with pores, follicles, moles, freckles, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands, glistening sweat and features all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects are very limited but what there is are excellent, well integrated, and blending well with the real action shots, never looking soft.
Contrast balance is outstanding throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight, sun and desert exterior shots and various specular highlights to the deep and noise free inky blacks of various room and lab shots, particularly much of the black-and-white material, all showing excellent low level and shadow detail. Individual clouds, sunlight, numerous light sources, metallic finishes and explosions glisten and sparkle with a true-to-live realism. All creating an excellent dynamic contrast range and enhancing visibility of objects in both exterior and interior shots. Depth of image varying between amazing, as seen in the vast New Mexico landscapes, to the stunningly shallow depth of field observed in several facial closeups.
The color palette presents with a moderate array of vibrant colors, with the black-and-white material exhibiting wonderful smooth gray gradients, all being very representative of the time period. Color fidelity is excellent throughout with well saturated primaries and secondary’s, all having good color depth and density, supported by warm hues. Colors are often muted and earthy with plenty of light brown and sepia tones, but pops of color appear everywhere from the bold reds, the blue skies of Los Alamos, Murphy’s blue eyes, the green apple and vegetation, multiple flag colors, the exploding orange fireball that morphs into a red, orange and yellow inferno, the rust-colored buttes and mesas that surround Los Alamos and the blues, greens, yellows, reds and oranges of the simulated destruction of the earth. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout looking wonderfully natural.
This video is outstanding on all fronts, providing a top notch HDR10 reference image.
Audio – DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Oppenheimer explodes onto your screen with an excellent and truly refence DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix. This is a dynamic and at moderately aggressive mix with plenty of atmospheric effects, very good channel separation and a solid and extended bottom end. The surround channels being used extensively to convey the atmospheres of various rooms and outdoor environments, supporting directional and atmospheric cues alike.
The overall sound presentation is dynamic, with very good sub involvement and moderate surround action. The soundstage is wide and surrounds are regularly active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an environment that drops the listener into both calm environments and more sonically active spectacles alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with the surrounds tending to portray more of the general environmental and room effects that consistently pull you into the many locals and environments, like the vast wind-swept landscapes, the echoing college lecture halls, to more closed-in and muted office rooms and work spaces. From the distinct noises of shattering glass, trains, the sounds of molecules interacting, crackling flames, and popping flashbulbs, to subtleties like whistling wind, footsteps crunching against dirt, and faint raindrops, all fill the five channels pulling you into the scene and keeping you right “in the mix”.
Sub action is excellent and wall moving, having the solid low-end that this movie deserves. Low frequency effects are extended, powerful and add tremendous weight to the the thunderous stomping of feet in the Los Alamos gym to the various impactful detonations. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue was generally clear and quite well detailed with solid front-center imaging and prioritization, generally providing good clarity and detail no matter how loud and aggressive the movie sequences became. However, there were a few occasions where the music score and effects did compete a little with the actors who mumble, whisper, and talk under their breaths, making the dialogue a little difficult to comprehend on the odd occasion.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score, composed by Ludwig Göransson provides a highly supportive and well integrated mix for both the aggressive and more relaxed scenes equally well. Presenting with a solid bass line and hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects, the score provides a light spill into the surrounds and excellent integration within the soundstage.
A “top-of-the-shelf” reference audio track that compliments the outstanding reference video in every way.
Story Overview
Oppenheimer is based upon the 2005 biography American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. This movie is a dramatization of the life story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, who was appointed to work on the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II by Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. Oppenheimer is universally known as the physicist who played a major role in the development of the atomic bomb, thus helping bring World War 2 to a close. It tells the story of his life starting from his time as a post-doc student at Cambridge, to his years as a professor at UC Berkeley and Caltech, culminating in his successful leadership of the Manhattan Project and development of the atomic bomb at Los Alamos during World War II. It then moves on to his post-war years, as an advisor to the US Atomic Energy Commission and then his later exile years, having been falsely accused of being a Communist sympathizer and then stripped of his security clearance.
My 2 Cents
I was surprised at just how fast this 3hr biography/documentary went by, and I am not a fan of factual, historical movies. That aside, the production, scripting and acting were superb, all wrapped up in some outstanding and class leading refence video and audio. Not too many special effects but those that were necessary certainly hit their mark. Certainly a top-of-the-pile reference level movie to end 2023.
Highly recommended.
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