The Flash – 4K UHD Review
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Warner Bros. | 2023
PG13 | 2hrs 24 min | Comic Book | Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi
HD | 1080P | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Native 4K | 2160P | Dolby Vision | HDR10 | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1 | Dolby Digital 5.1
Aspect Ratio: 1.90:1
Staring: Ezra Miller | Michael Keaton | Sasha Calle | Michael Shannon | Ron Livingston | Maribel Verdú
Directed by: Andy Muschietti
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: 4+
Video: 5
Audio: 5
Technical Review – Native 4K UHD HDR10
The Flash was captured digitally in the ARRIRAW 4.5K and Redcode RAW 8K formats by cinematographer Henry Braham using Arri Alex LF & Mini LF plus Red Ranger Monstro VV 8K cameras with
The image soars onto your screen as a reference HDR10 presentation. With the film shot in such a high resolution format, this 4K release has excellent overall image clarity with a dazzling display of crisp, razor sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads and facial close-ups provide excellent detail and definition. From costume stitching, the leather cape and mask of Batman to facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands and features, are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are generally good and blend well with the real action shots and just like wide shots, never looking soft. Effects like fiery explosions, flying objects, debris and smoke are well integrated into the live action with no distractions.
Contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the exterior daylight shots and the dazzling specular highlights to the deep and noise free inky blacks, like Batman’s cave, cape and wings, that showed excellent low level and shadow detail. Individual clouds, sunlight, various light sources, metallic objects, weapons blasts and explosions sparkle with a true-to-live realism. All creating 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 huge array of vibrant colors, well all of them actually. Color fidelity is excellent throughout with vivid and well saturated primaries and secondary’s, all having good color depth and density, hues are bold and vibrant. From the reds and blues of the outfits, the red, yellow and blue electrical lightning, vegetation greens, the fluorescent neon sign and array of primaries found in the time sphere scenes, to the warmth of the many secondary hues of reddish orange, warm golds, strong yellows and hints of violet, aqua green and cerulean blue. With city, suburban and Zod’s battle field shots showing a full array of more natural earthy tones, from grays to various shades of sepia. Skin tones and facial complexions throughout looking very natural.
This video is very good on all fronts, scraping in with a pleasing HDR10 reference image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
The Flash roars into home theaters with an reference, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The soundtrack was thoroughly engaging whether during an emotional drama or an action scene having solid bass, clarity and dynamics.
The overall sound presentation is very dynamic, with excellent sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is wide, and surrounds are constantly 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 plenty of movement in both the rear and side surrounds, together with the general environmental and room acoustics effects consistently pulling you into the many locals and environments, like Flashes home, his bedroom, the sandwich shop, various outdoor scenes and Batman’s cave. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences steeped in surrounding activity to the roaring engines and jets, gunfire and zipping bullets, weapons blasts and falling debris. All fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you “in the mix”.
Sub action is very good, having a serious, low-end with a solid extension fully supporting the roar of the jet and vehicle engines, explosions, body blows, impactful gun and weapons fire and vehicle collisions. 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 open 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 Benjamin Wallfisch, offers a pleasing supportive mix, providing an immersive surround experience that was 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 good audio track that like the video, just makes reference.
Story Overview
The Flash, AKA Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) continues to struggle with his civilian and superhero lives. Now concerned about loosing his father and still missing his dead mother, Barry believes that he can save both his father from a pending unjust jail sentence and prevent his mothers death, by using his powers and travelling back in time. Returning to the past, Barry inadvertently creates a different timeline that has both a different future and a different past. Learning that this new past has virtually no Superheroes, life becomes even more difficult when an alternate General Zod (Michael Shannon) returns to try and destroy the world. Trying to defeat Zod, Barry enlists the help of an elderly and retired Batman (Michael Keaton), a younger version of himself and frees an imprisoned Kryptonian Supergirl (Sasha Calle). This new team of superheroes fails to destroy Zod, so Barry has to once again travel back through the multiverses and corridors of time in order to restore his universe back to the way it was.
My 2 cents
Not a lot of story to get your teeth into but the travels through the multiverse and battles are entertaining, a few good cameos and Ezra Millers performance was good. Bring your popcorn for the action scenes and reference quality video and audio.
Purchase from Amazon here.
