Queen Rock Montreal + Live Aid 4K Ultra HD

The 1981 "Queen Rock Montreal + Live Aid" is the only Queen concert ever filmed in its entirety. The performance has been digitally restored and remixed. Featuring front man Freddie Mercury, the band puts on a high-octane show for a crowd of excited fans. Songs include "We Will Rock You," "We Are the Champions," "Somebody to Love," "Get Down Make Love," "Under Pressure," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Killer Queen," "Bohemian Rhapsody" and many more.

Special features include commentary with Brian MAY and Roger Taylor. and a 15-page color booklet with pictures of the band.

Reviewed is the Widescreen version of the concert, with the HDR option.The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, is a restoration that was photographed on 35mm film stock using Arriflex 35 BL3 and Panavision camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate sourced from the restoration. Film grain is smooth and nuanced. The picture is superb with a dynamic quality supported by multi-color lights projecting onto the musicians and the production staging. Color fidelity is excellent with vivid hues that pop on the screen. Flesh tones are natural under the lighting. Audience faces likewise exhibit natural facial hues. HDR contrast is excellent with ink-black backdrops, dynamic shadow delineation, and bright natural white levels. Resolution is also excellent with fine musician features exhibited, including facial features, body hair, hair and Freddie's mustache. The drum set is elaborate and well defined. The guitars also are finely detailed. This is a dynamic visual concert video with incredible black levels and bright stage lighting that will thrill Queen fans. This puts one right on stage and closeup with the musicians. (Gary Reber)Disc 2 features the Widescreen version of the concert, with both the HDR and SDR option available.

Available options are the Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and LPCM 2.0, all of which are terrific, though the Dolby Atmos sounds most immersive with music and the powerful crowd noises at times. Stereo imaging is excellent. Surround envelopment completely wraps around the soundfield along with waves of audience reactions, but also with appealing spaciousness in terms of the actual music. Dynamic range is wide, both nuanced and powerful. John Taylor, the drummer, exerts tremendous energy as he pounds his set and drives the band with powerful bass. Freddie Murphy and the other musicians' singing is clear with excellent center channel presence and integration with the instruments.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an extension of the performance and the audience, and is a height layer constant. It effectively enhances the dimensionality of the soundtrack.

This is a terrific concert video in HDR high-definition that is sure to thrill fans of Queen.