BLU-RAY REVIEW

Wonder 4K UltraHD

Featured In Issue 224, February 2018

Picture5
Sound4
WSR Score5
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):
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
54002
(MPAA Rating):
PG
(Rating Reason):
Thematic elements including bullying, and some mild lanuage
(Retail Price):
$$42.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-66)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
113 Minutes
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
2/13/2018
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Stephen Chbosky
(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 TrueHD 7.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):
(German Language):

Based on the novel by R.J. Palacio, "Wonder" brings to life the uplifting story of a boy who inspires and teaches others that true beauty is found within. The story follows the Pullman family, whose youngest child, Auggie, is a boy born with facial differences. When Auggie enters mainstream elementary school for the first time, his extraordinary journey unites his family, his school, and his community, and proves that you can't blend in when you were born to stand out. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Director Stephen Chbosky and author R.J. Palacio; the five-part documentary "Summer Of Fun" (HD 57:44); the featurettes "A Child's Sense Of Wonder" (HD 13;23), "What A Wonderful World" (HD 12:34), and "Wonder Soundtrack: Behind The Scenes" (HD 03:57); the "Brand New Eyes" music video (HD 03;26); theatrical trailers; upfront previews; and an UltraViolet digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/Dolby Vision picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally using the Red Weapon Dragon camera system and sourced from a 2K (not 4K) master Digital Intermediate format. As the 2K Digital Intermediate has been upconverted to 2160p, there is no real gain in native resolution. The picture looks terrific, with a lifelike brightness that lights up the screen with fabulous colors that pop. Hues are naturally rich and warm, yet vivid and nicely saturated. Fleshtones are perfectly natural throughout. Resolution is excellent, with fine detail exhibited in facial features, hair, clothing, and object texture. Textures are impressively sharp and defined. HDR contrast is wonderful with deep, solid blacks and bright highlights. Solid blacks are particularly noticed during the scene introductions with bright white lettering against a full deep black screen. Dimensional depth is also terrific. There are numerous WOW! segments, among them from 01.22:48 to 01:34:37. This is such a great-looking and colorful picture that is thoroughly engaging, with reference-quality segments. (Gary Reber)

While not a Dolby Atmos presentation, the Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is a little gem of striking clarity and excellent dialogue quality. Dialogue is the focus. Atmospherics are nicely supportive but surround is pretty much limited to the music score, which spans all four surrounds and a nicely wide and deep soundstage. While dialogue is the focus, it is a bit forward sounding and wanting in better spatial integration. Still, intelligibility is excellent. Deep bass is limited but fidelity is superb throughout. This is a really enjoyable and supportive soundtrack that nicely carries the story. (Gary Reber)