The Wiz 4K Ultra HD

In "The Wiz," when Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) is miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz, she goes in search of the Wiz Richard Pryor), a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan, along with the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross). (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary wih scholars Michael B. Gillespie and Afred L. Martin, an October 1978 interview with Acress Dian Ross (SD 07:57), a 2001 interview with Director Sidney Lumet (HD 11:59) and the theatrical trailer.

The 1.85:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Visio/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on Kodak 35 mm film using the Panavision Panaflex Gold II and Panavision Panaflex camera systems and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Film grain in this edition appears smooth and never objectionable. This is a very stylized picture with production adaptions of real settings and studio sets. The color palette exhibits nicely saturated hues that can pop. Primaries are deep and the palette exhibits nuanced hues. The Emerald City scene is casted in a green tint, switching to a red tint and then a yellow gold tint. Still, at times color can appear drab. Flesh tones are perfectly natural. In the final scene with Diana Ross and Lena Horne, fHorne's cobalt blue, gem encrusted costume sparkles brilliantly against solid black levels. HDR contrast is excellent. Blacks are deep. Shadows are revealing. While levels are nicely illuminated. Resolution is excellent Fine detail is exhibited in character costumes, sets and foregrounds and backgrounds. Costumes reveal fabric detail and intricacies. Facial features on humans and characters are finely resolved, exposing makeup, wigs or hair. The picture is very cinematic with imaginative imagery and a captivating color palette. A highlight is Louis Johnson's dance choreography This is a real classic that will be cherished by the entire family. (Gary Reber)

The repurposed Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with lots of music. Background atmospherics are subtle such as din and traffic. Sound effects are supportive to the storytelling, such as the cyclone in the early scene. Foley sound effects are in perfect sync with picture. The music, both the orchestral score with its brass and string scoring and the vocal and choral singing, is well recorded and extends with a wide and deep soundstage and aggressive surround envelopment. Diana Ross cuts loose a couple of times, delivering raw emotion on tunes like "Home," as well as Michael Jackson who sings "Ease on Down the Road" and Lena Horne who sings "If You Believe.” Surround envelopment is active throughout. At times, bass is rhythmic and deep with effective use of the .1 LFE channel. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with excellent spatial integration as much is captured on studio soundstage sets.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of numerous background orchestrations sans the singing, some with choral singing, the Wizard's voice and a few isolated sound effects. The music in the height layer definitely enhances spherical dimensionality. Given the soundtrack's age, the separate sound elements perhaps were not available to use for the height layer.

This is an appreciative repurposed holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack with wonderful music and accompanying dance choreography that is immensely entertaining. Note: to achieve reference sound level the volume needs to turn turned up a few dB. (Gary Reber)