Prey – 4K UHD Review
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Disney/Buena Vista | 2023
PG13 | 1hrs 40 min | Horror| Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller
HD | 1080P | DTS-HD MA 7.1
Native 4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Staring: Amber Midthunder | Dakota Beavers | Dane DiLiegro | Stormee Kipp | Michelle Thrush | Julian Black Antelope
Directed by: Dan Trachtenberg
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? Reference, and the 7.1 soundtrack? Also reference.
Entertainment: 5-
Video: 5
Audio: 5
Technical Review – Native 4K UHD HDR10
Prey was captured digitally in the ARRIRAW codec at 4.5K by cinematographer Jeff Cutter using Arri Alexa Mini LF cameras with Cooke Anamorphic/i Full Frame Plus 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 HDR10. This dual-layer BD66 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 BD50 Blu-ray and redeemable digital code. Despite this only being a BD66 disc it does mange to top out at 80Mb/s providing a well resolved image.
The image opens up onto your screen as a reference HDR10 presentation. With the film shot in a high resolution format, this 4K release has excellent overall image clarity with a terrific display of crisp, sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads, facial and nature close-ups provide excellent detail and definition. From the impressive detail visible in skin, foliage, grass and bark to the rocky/forested textures of distant mountains and semi-opaque Predator’s appearance. Facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. Predator CGI and special effects, like gore, cuts and amputations, weapons blasts and flying objects are well integrated, blending well with the real action shots.
Contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots, sunlight and clouds to the deep and noise free inky blacks of nighttime that showed excellent low level and shadow detail. Individual backlit clouds, sunlight, fires, torches, metallic objects and weapons blasts sparkle with a true-to-live realism. Even the Predators shimmering form looks excellent. All creating a very good dynamic contrast range and enhancing the visibility of objects in exterior shots, creating an excellent depth of field, particularly for many of the wide open vistas that had an impressive three-dimensional quality, almost as if “looking through a window”.
With much of the action taking place outdoors in forests this not a highly colorful movie. But those colors that do present themselves are vivid and well saturated. The HDR grade renders pleasing gradations of greens, browns and grays that bring the film’s landscapes to life. While bright pops of color appear from the green of the Predators blood, marron and bright reds of human and animal blood, red targeting lasers, the reds, yellows and oranges of fire and torches to the Predators red glow and thermal vision and orange and blue forest flowers. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout looked wonderfully natural.
This video is very good on all fronts, providing a pleasing HDR10 reference image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Prey strolls into your home theaters with a surprisingly reference Dolby Atmos mix, that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The sound track isn’t what you would call overtly lively, but it is very atmospheric and aggressive when necessary, supporting solid bass, clarity and dynamics.
The overall sound presentation has its dynamic moments, with good sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is wide with surrounds constantly active with ambience, directional cues and movement, delivering an active environment that drops the listener both into quieter environments and action-packed moments alike. Effects placement are accurate and natural, with movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental effects consistently pulling you into the various forest environments. From those quieter forest atmospherics of gentle wind, insect noises, rushing water and the birds and wildlife flying about, to the rustle of leaves and swish of a branch in the tree canopies, weapons fire and the Predator clicking sounds. All fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and helping to keep you engaged.
Sub action is good, having an extended and deep low-end. Fully supporting the roar of the Predators ship, the impacts of Naru’s tomahawk hitting the trees, incoming arrows and impactful weapons fire. Imaging continuously feels broad and expansive following the action as it moves on and off-screen. Dialogue is always clear and well detailed having solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing good clarity and detail.
Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films evocative score, composed by Sarah Schachner’s, combines tribal drums, strings and electronic sounds that build into compositions both intimate and epic, taking full advantage of the muscular LFE. It offers a good supportive mix, being seamlessly immersive and perfectly clear. 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 solid reference audio track that compliments the reference video.
Story Overview
Set in the Comanche Nation Northern Great Plains of North America in 1719, the movie is a story of Naru (Amber Midthunder), a fierce and highly skilled warrior, raised in the shadow of legendary hunters who roam the Great Plains. Determined to join the ranks of the tribes warriors and already an expert tracker and healer, she continues to hone her combat skills. After seeing a “sign” in the morning sky Naru believes that she is ready for her rite of passage. So when danger threatens the camp she sets out to protect her people. The hunt reveals a highly evolved Predator with a powerful arsenal, but does Naru have what it takes to engage this powerful foe?
My 2 cents
A slow start but the chase soon becomes intense with Naru, the female lead character, eventually showing her “metal”. Overall an entertaining movie with good CGI that looks and sounds great. Certainly an interesting take on the Alien vs. Predator spin-offs.
Purchase from Amazon here.
