xXx: Return Of Xander Cage – HD Blu-ray Review
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Paramount Pictures | 2017
PG13 | 1hrs 47 min | Action | Adventure | Thriller
HD | 1080P | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Staring: Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Deepika Padukone, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa
Directed by: D. J. Caruso
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
Some may wonder why am I reviewing the HD version rather than the 4K version? The 4K version I received from Amazon was not only their last one (at the time), but I returned it as it was; opened, covered in fingerprints and had a “returned” label on it! Both versions carry exactly the same audio track and based upon others comments the up-converted 4K version has only marginally better video than the HD version and now costs more than twice the price of the HD disc!
*UPDATE 6/10/23* I watched the movie again upscaling it to 4K using my Oppo 205. There was a small, but worthwhile improvement in resolution and my enjoyment.
Technical Review – HD 1080P
xXx: Return Of Xander Cage was captured digitally in the ARRIRAW 3K4 format by cinematographer Russell Carpenter using Arri Alexa Mini and XT Plus cameras with
The image soars onto your screen as an almost reference HD presentation. With the film shot in a high resolution format, this 2K release has very good overall image clarity with a wide display of crisp, sharp detail with good texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads, wounds and facial close-ups provide good detail and definition. From the various costumes, plane instrument panels & displays to the packed bar and forest vegetation. Facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands and features are all accurately rendered without any undue exaggerations. CGI and special effects integration are good, having realistic textures, blending well with the real action shots and never looking soft. Effects like explosions, flying objects, debris and smoke are quite well integrated into the live action scenes with few distractions.
Contrast balance was excellent throughout, from the brilliant uncompressed whites of the daylight exterior shots and the dazzling specular highlights to the deep and noise free inky blacks that showed excellent low level and shadow detail with no crush. Individual clouds, sunlight, various light sources, metallic objects 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 an excellent depth of image.
Color fidelity is good throughout with vivid and well saturated primaries and secondaries, all having good color depth and density, hues are bold and vibrant. From the villages primary color array, the blues of the sky’s and monitor displays, the reds, fiery oranges and yellows of explosions and gun fire, the bright greens of the forest foliage, to the warmth of the many secondary hues of reddish orange, strong yellows, the violets of the choirs gowns and Xander’s car, cerulean blues and brown dirt. With skin tones and facial complexions looking vert natural throughout.
This video is very good on all fronts, providing a terrific HD, almost reference, image.
Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1
xXx: Return Of Xander Cage roars into home theaters with an awesome, reference, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The soundtrack was thoroughly engaging whether during a quite moment or the many action scenes, having room shaking bass, clarity and dynamics.
The overall sound presentation is very dynamic, with outstanding 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 the few quieter environments and the many 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 inside the transporters body, the island bar, underground bunker and flying debris and bullets. From those quieter, sequences steeped in surrounding activity, to the mountainside and water ski chase, the roaring jets, gunfire, falling debris and cockpit sounds, all fill the surrounds pulling you into the scene and keeping you “in the mix”.
Sub action is stellar and wall rattling, having the serious, low-end, hard hitting extension, that this movie deserves. Fully supporting the many explosions, grenades, impactful gunfire, crashes and flying bullets, all digging very deep. 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 a terrific 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 fully supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films score composed by Robert Lydecker offers a terrific supportive mix, being seamlessly immersive, perfectly clear and presented with great bass. Hitting a good balance between the dialogue and effects the score provides a solid spill into the surrounds and very good integration within the soundstage.
An outstanding reference audio track that compliments the almost reference video in every way.
Story Overview
After a group of mercenaries steal a sinister device known as Pandora’s Box, a hi-tech weapon that can hack into anything, anywhere and control the associated system, the world now sits on the edge of disaster. A call goes out to Augustus Gibbons (Samuel L. Jackson) to find somebody who can wrangle the device back into “safer” hands. Recruited back into action, Xander Cage (Vin Diesel), who had been presumed dead, is brought out of self-imposed exile and assemblies a group of adrenaline junkies to save the day. Finding themselves in the middle of a potential government conspiracy, Xander Cage and his cohorts must now find out who is friend and foe as they try to retrieve Pandoras Box.
My 2 cents
I have not been following the Xander Cage movies and bought this after watching it on Netflix. I really enjoyed it and wanted to see and hear it in all its glory in my HT. Even though I watch few HD movies in my HT anymore, this HD Blu-ray did not disappoint. Yes, it’s just an action movie with lots of outrageous stunts, CGI sequences, good video and great audio, but all in all, a thoroughly entertaining thrill ride, (having a little more eye candy in upscaled 4K).
Purchase from Amazon here.
