Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood, A 4K Ultra HD

Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood," a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about kindness, love and forgiveness from America's most beloved neighbor. (Gary Reber)

Special features include filmmaker commentary; four featurettes: "Tom Hanks As Fred Rogers" (HD 10:29), "The People Who Make A Neighborhood: The Making Of" (HD 15:23), "Dreaming Big, Building Small: The Puppets & Miniatures" (HD 08:37) and "Daniel Tiger Explains: Practice Makes Perfect" (HD 02:42); eight deleted and extended scenes (HD 16:45); a blooper reel (HD 01:38) and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 1.85:1 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 on 16 mm film stock using the Arri 416, Arri Alexa Mini, Arriflex 416, Ikegami 323 and Ikegami 79 camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format presented In IMAX Enhanced. The imagery is a combination of an imaginary play land backdrop to Mr. Rogers' TV show and reality. The play land is formatted with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio and apparently shot on 16mm film stock as well as softly focused, while the reality is framed at 1.85:1 and realistically digitally captured and rendered. The color palette is warm and rich with naturally saturated hues. Under the TV lights, colors pop while reality is never exaggerated. Flesh tones are naturally hued. HDR contrast is well balanced. Black levels are natural and shadow delineation is realistic. White levels are naturally illuminated and never exaggerated. Resolution is generally satisfying with good detail, particularly in close-ups, but not super articulate, though, textures, clothes, set pieces, and the like appear generally more revealing. There are no particular WOW! segments but the picture is naturally rendered throughout for a pleasing experience. (Gary Reber)

The DTS:X 12.1-channel/DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack delivers a generally laid back experience that is dialogue focused. Dialogue is nicely integrated spatially and intelligible throughout. The orchestral and small instrument segments are nicely recorded with a wide and deep soundstage that extends to envelop the soundfield. The solo piano is nicely recorded. The pace of the sonics is slow and steady with no abrupt dynamic elements, except for moments of musical dynamics.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised mainly of the music, with touches of atmospheric city and wedding ambience and din, as well occasional dialogue extension and sound effects. Overall, the height layer enhances the spatial dimensionality.

This is a satisfying holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that nicely complements the story. (Gary Reber)