BLU-RAY REVIEW

Dr. Seuss' The Grinch 4K Ultra HD

Picture5
Sound4.5
Immersive3
WSR Score4
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(Studio/Distributor):
Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
61199992
(MPAA Rating):
PG
(Rating Reason):
Brief rude humor
(Retail Price):
$39.98
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-66)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
86
(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):
2/5/2019
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Scott Mosier & Yarrow Cheney
(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):

Based on "Dr. Seuss'" beloved tale about "The Grinch," "Dr. Seuss' The Grinch" is a cynical grouch who goes on a mission to steal Christmas from others, only to feel his own heart grow three sizes larger through unexpected friendships. (Gary Reber)

Special features include three mini movies: "Yellow Is The New Black" (HD 04:17), "Dog Days Of Winter" (HD 04:04) and "Santa's Little Helpers" (HD 03:52); "Who's Who In Who-ville"; the "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" lyric video (HD 01:55); "I Am A Grinch" lyric video (HD 02:48); 10 featurettes: "The Making Of The Mini-Movies" (HD 05:53), "From Green To Screen" (HD 06:19), "Illuminating The Grinch" (HD 04:55), "My Earliest Grinch Memories" (HD 03:10), "Grinchy Gadgets" (HD 03:21), "Songs From His Little Heart" (HD 03:25), "X-mas Around The World" (HD 02:20), "Cindy-Lou's Yule Log" (HD 08:02), "Production Babies" (HD 01:16), and "Any Who Can Draw" (HD 07:09); upfront previews; and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

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 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 is wonderfully colorful with a compelling wide color gamut that often pops with intensity while exhibiting compelling depth. Hue shadings are excellent throughout. Hues are bright and saturated as well, especially the intense greenness of The Grinch. Hue primaries are visually stunning. HDR contrast is superb, with Whoville's snowy whites and multi-colored Christmas lights lighting up the screen. Black levels are deep and solid, and shadow delineation is nicely resolved. Resolution is excellent with fine textural detail exhibited throughout. Nuanced detail is delightful. Every strand of The Grinch's fur is rendered perfectly, as are clothes and object textures. Clarity and sharpness is outstanding. The imaging throughout is pristine. WOW! segments are numerous, such as from 03:58 to 06:14, 16:30 to 17:26, 25:34 to 27:00, 29:44 to 30:42, 38:54 to 39:32, 01:00:22 to 01:01:24 and 01:16:15 to 01:18:07. This is a wonderfully brilliant picture that is reference quality. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with excellently rendered atmospherics, Foley, and sound effects. Especially engaging is Danny Elfman's orchestral/choral score, which is energized throughout and projects a wide and deep soundstage that extends aggressively to the surrounds. Deep bass extension is often heard within the score. Surround envelopment is often aggressive and directionalized and delivers a wonderfully spatial experience. ADR dialogue generally lacks good spatial integration, but clarity and intelligibility is excellent. Narration is nicely weighted in forward presence. At times dialogue is directionalized.

The Immersive Sound element is mostly, but not at all times, the extension of parts of the music and choral-only and other solo instruments to the front two channels of the height layer. Occasionally, sound effects and voice shouts are briefly heard in the height layer. But overall, this is yet an unfulfilled Dolby Atmos presentation that could have accomplished far more spherical effectiveness and dimensionally defined soundscapes.

This is an engaging holosonic® soundtrack that will delight audiences of all ages. (Gary Reber)