Big Picture Big Sound

Fully Immersed: Best New Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Blu-ray Discs: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Justice League, Pitch Perfect 3, Star Wars: The Last Jedi

By Greg Robinson

Fully Immersed, Volume 19

It's not every time I have four exceptional immersive soundtracks to enjoy for one column but this time out I had precisely that. Home video releases featuring Dolby Atmos or DTS:X are still somewhat few and far between, with only the larger, more mainstream titles receivng the benefit. That said, it's refreshing and promising to see studios revisiting not just a film's video but also its soundtrack in preparation for a 4K Ultra HD release.  April has a few such catalog re-releases mixed in amongst the newest offerings. Here are a few immersive audio titles coming soon:

  • The Greatest Showman 4K - Dolby Atmos, Fox (4K UHD only)
  • The Incredible Hulk 4K - DTS:X, Universal (4K UHD only)
  • Knowing 4K - Dolby Atmos, Lionsgate (4K UHD only)
  • Push 4K - Dolby Atmos, Lionsgate (4K UHD only)
  • The Commuter - Dolby Atmos, Lionsgate (Blu-ray, 4K UHD)

I plan to cover at least a few of the above titles soon. Until then, here's what I've listened to most recently...

 

jumanji4k-250.jpg
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Sony | Buy Now | Dolby Atmos available on 4K UHD only

I'm always surprised when someone tells me they loved the original Jumanji. Don't get me wrong: Robin Williams was and will always be a treasure. And the concept of a board game come to life is rife with possibility. Unfortunately, with its constant parade of CGI beasts and a surprising lack of joy, I've always considered Jumanji a missed opportunity. My indifference towards the original film may be why I'm so thrilled to report that Welcome to the Jungle is an absolute blast that's guaranteed to please every member of your family. This time around, rather than the game invading our world, four high-schoolers get sucked into the jungles of Jumanji, and in the process become the avatars they chose. It's a brilliant evolution of the story and the cast - which includes a kinder, gentler Rock, a hilarious Jack Black, an even funnier Kevin Hart, and a scene-stealing Karen Gillan - could not be better. Although it could easily be labeled a comedy, Jungle is at its core an action-packed adventure; thankfully Sony has crafted a befitting Dolby Atmos soundtrack for the film's 4K release. Taking full advantage of the height channels at every turn, this is a reference caliber soundtrack that effectively transports the listener to the jungle. From its frequent thumping drums ("I hate those drums!") to a thunderous rhino stampede near the film's climax, this Atmos mix just sounds huge, boasting an incredibly robust low end, crystal clear dialogue, and aggressive use of the surround channels. Highly recommended.

 

justice4k-250.jpg
Justice League
Warner | Buy Now | Dolby Atmos available on Blu-ray and 4K UHD

Warner's DC Extended Universe films have been a mixed bag since day one. Although hardly beloved by all, Man of Steel provided a solid start, delivering an aesthetic and tone that was appreciably unique from Marvel's mold. It also gave us a highly convincing (if somewhat dour) Superman in Henry Cavill. Dawn of Justice started strong, and Ben Affleck is a fine Batman, but it's telling that the best thing about that film is Gal Gadot's brief introduction as Wonder Woman. Her subsequent standalone film remains the best thing about the DCEU to date. (We're not even going to talk about Suicide Squad.) Given the success of Wonder Woman, it's no surprise Warner has her front and center on the Blu-ray and 4K cover art for Justice League. Her larger role this time around serves the film well and her scenes with Bruce Wayne are among the film's best. Unfortunately, Steppenwolf is yet another lame villain and once again we have heroes racing against time to save the world from a glowing cube of whatever. The film isn't terrible, but if you're not already a fan of the DCEU, Justice League isn't likely to turn you around. On the plus side, Warner gives the film a capable Dolby Atmos soundtrack - an option on both the standard Blu-ray and the 4K release. Some of this Atmos soundtrack's best moments are subtle - such as the first scene in the film, where Batman is busy fighting a rooftop thug. When Alfred speaks to Bruce, his off-camera voice comes through the ceiling channels creating a diffuse and convincing headphones effect. Similarly, when Barry Allen returns home to find Bruce sitting in the dark in Barry's second-favorite chair, he throws a large switch to power up his lair. Here the height channels are used to great effect, conveying the hum and buzz of overhead lights coming to life while thumping music begins to convincingly fill the tall, warehouse space.

 

pitch3-250.jpg
Pitch Perfect 3
Universal | Buy Now | DTS:X available on Blu-ray and 4K UHD

By now it's safe to say you either love it when Anna Kendrick and her Bellas belt out and remix those classic dance tunes, or you'd rather listen to aca-anything else. Chapter 3 is supposedly the final chapter in the Pitch Perfect saga and it's nice to see them going out on a high note, if you'll pardon the expression. As was the case with the first two films, Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins provide a sublime dose of absurd and hilarious comic relief as commentators Gail and John, but they're just the side show. The main attraction here is Anna Kendrick's Becca and her beautiful Barden Bellas and they sound better than ever. Universal brings the film to disc sporting a stunning DTS:X soundtrack - available on both the standard Blu-ray and the 4K Ultra HD release. Starting with a cute acca riff on the Universal music while the logo's globe spins into view, and ending with an absolutely sensational final number at the USO competition, this DTS:X mix is the kind of title that may finally convince your friends to invest in an immersive audio system. That aforementioned final number, which features Becca and her Bellas rocking out to George Michael's "Freedom! 90," is a true sonic delight, beautifully layering in the different singers' voices against the airy backdrop of the outdoor amphitheater. It starts slow and builds wonderfully, with the surround and overhead channels fully engaged to bolster and round out this rousing performance. The film itself - and its music - may not suit all tastes, but I defy anyone to watch that final number without tapping your feet and grinning like a fool.

 

lastJedi-4k-250.jpg
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Disney | Buy Now | Dolby Atmos available on 4K UHD only

When I first saw The Last Jedi, I had a few minor issues with it but I left the theater feeling extremely satisfied - and more than a little relieved. Like many others, I'm a huge J.J. fan but even I couldn't help being a bit disappointed that J.J. leaned so heavily on A New Hope in his effort to resurrect the franchise. Those qualms aside, resurrect Star Wars J.J. did and The Force Awakens gave us compelling new characters and set the table beautifully for Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi. My relief with this new film stemmed from the fact that not only had Johnson crafted a film that truly felt like a consistent continuation of The Force Awakens - but it simultaneously offered so many surprises. It's been a long while since a Star Wars film kept me on the edge of my seat, unsure of how things will end when the credits roll, but that's precisely how I felt here. And that's a beautiful thing. Do you know what else is a beautiful thing? I'll tell you: the Dolby Atmos soundtrack on The Last Jedi's 4K release. Disney may have been late to the immersive audio party when it comes to Blu-ray, and it's frustrating that they continue to withhold their Dolby Atmos tracks from all but their 4K Ultra HD releases, but the Dolby Atmos soundtracks we do get from them are always first rate and The Last Jedi is their finest effort to date. John Williams' score is beautifully rendered here and the eye-popping space battles and blaster fights sound terrific, but as is often the case, it's the quieter, subtleties that often make me sit up and take notice of the deft hands at the sound mixing board. (Spoiler ahead - beware!) One of the most compelling sonic effects in the film is during the scenes where Kylo and Rey are telepathically bridged, able to see and hear each other from a great distance. During these tense moments, their voices are intricately woven into the height and surround channels, creating a wonderful sense of immersion ideally befitting the scenes' dramatic intent. Highly recommended.

More Information:

Reviewed Using:

 

What did you think?

View all articles by Greg Robinson
Big News
Newsletter Sign-up
 
Connect with Us