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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Fifth Element, The 4K Ultra HD

    Featured In Issue 220, October 2017

    Picture5
    Sound5
    Immersive4
    WSR Score4
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    49691
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    Intense sci-fi violence, some sexuality, and brief nudity.
    (Retail Price):
    $$30.99
    (Disc Type):
    BD-66
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    126
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    A, B, C
    (Theatrical Year):
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    (Disc Release Date):
    7/11/2017
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    (Director):
    Luc Besson
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Subtitles):

    In The Fifth Element, Korben Dallas (Willis) is a 23rd century airborne cabbie who finds himself in a fight to save the world. It has been prophesied that, at this time, only the alignment of the four elements—earth, fire, air, water—plus a mysterious fifth element, will have the ability to stop the forces of evil. When a mysterious woman (Jovovich) literally falls into Dallas' cab, he learns of the prophecy that she is The Fifth Element—and he must help her save the world. (Gary Reber)

    Special features include the All-New The Director's Notes: Luc Besson Looks Back in 4K (UHD 10:29) and an Ultra-Violet digital copy.

    The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR 10 picture, photographed on 35mm film, was digitally rendered and sourced using a 4K master Digital Intermediate format (as was the previous “Mastered In 4K” Blu-ray Disc release). and reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display. The image quality is even more spectacular than the previous release! This is obvious from the very first frames in the desert with earthy textures, clothing, and fleshtones perfectly hued and image resolution, as well as image depth, exemplary. Throughout this is the case—exemplary sharpness and clarity. While sourced from film, grain is extremely light and virtually never consciously perceived. The color palette is nicely saturated with rich, warm and vibrant hues. Fleshtones are consistently natural in hue. The application of HDR is no doubt responsible for the wider color gamut and the tasteful accent of bright elements, as well as delivering a significant increase in contrast and depth. As for Dallas' orange shirt, Leeloo's orange hair, and the blue singer, color saturation is incredibly revealing of nuances in hue with overall deeper and intense shading. This is true of other characters and backgrounds as well. Contrast is stunning, with deep blacks, such as the case in star fields, and shadow delineation is incredibly revealing. No previous format release measures up to the image quality exhibited on this 4K Ultra HD disc. This is a stunning reference presentation that will amaze videophiles. (Gary Reber)

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