District 9 4K Blu-ray Review

A multi-nominated and award wining science fiction story

by Simon Crust
MSRP: £19.99

District 9 Review

Could you go a bit slower with the clicks there, it sounded like you said three years!

Predominantly known as a short film director, but with a prodigious talent, Neill Blomkamp was all set to make his first feature when the funding fell through, so Peter Jackson (and wife) took him under their wing and secured money for a different feature, one that was close to Blomkamp’s heart, at least the social aspects, which turned out to be the multi-nominated and award winning science fiction actioner, District 9.

 

Slums and segregation

Being heavily influenced by the slums and segregation of his childhood, but dressing the film as an alien invasion/metamorphosis/actioner, District 9, instantly spoke volumes. Stylistically being part documentary/found footage/traditional film the whole melds beautifully, largely thanks to the sympathetic lead of Sharlto Copley who plays the hapless Wikus Van De Merwe upon whom such misfortune descends.

The attention to detail regarding the sets, locations, camera work, alien technology, history and characters means the audience becomes invested in the story. And whilst the plot is fairly standard in terms of device and trope, such is the verve of the story telling and the emotional investment, the whole becomes an eminently watchable film. It catapulted Blomkamp into the limelight and enabled him to air other grievances in his subsequent science fiction actioners Elysium and Chappie.

District 9 4K Video

District 9
Got my eye on you. Coz I got this big eye. You see? see? Eye. See. pffff

District 9 was shot digitally using a combination of Phantom HD, Red One and Sony PMW-EPanavision cameras with resolutions up to 4K, but ultimately finished as a 2K DI. The disc presents an up-scaled to 3840 x 2160p resolution image in the widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio, and uses 10-bit video depth, High Dynamic Range, a Wide Colour Gamut (WCG) and is encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec for HRD10. We reviewed the Region free UK Ultra HD Blu-ray release of District 9 on a Panasonic 65DX902B Ultra HD 4K TV with a Panasonic DP-UB450 Dolby Vision HDR10+ 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player.

Despite being an up-scale, you wouldn’t really know it. The filming style, a combination of hand-held, documentary video camera and traditional film, means that it is always going to look a certain way; however, the extra resolution and the HDR elevated the image to something else.

 

Filth and squalor

Detail is improved with close ups, skin texture, the filth and squalor of the camp being a prime example, while distance shots, over looking the city, the Mothership or helicopter shots of the camp all benefit with keener, more defined edges. The computer terminals, and the HUD of the alien technology are well defined.

WCG and HDR add significantly to the colour palette bringing out a far richer, more naturalistic tone, so flesh tones, and primaries are more vivid with greater depth; while the dusty tans of the sandy landscape are amazing.

Black level is improved with a greater frame depth, but the picture really excels with the white scale, which brings out the definition and pushes the image, lovely stuff.

Digitally there are no compression issues and the only flaws are inherent in the source and meant to be there.

District 9 4K Audio

District 9
Ride of the Valkyries

The Dolby Atmos track really opens up the surround field, is more dynamic and even extends the bass. Effects are well catered for and layered will into the 3D landscape, whether there are helicopters flying above, announcements from tannoys, office chatter, gun fire, or manoeuvres in the camp – there is always something going on. Dialogue is tied well to the frontal array, though some directionality is experienced.

 

Mothership

When the action heats up, the gun fire is all around, with the alien weaponry and subsequent destruction being of particular delight (loved the exploding splatter). Bass is tremendous with some wonderful LF effects, this is especially true of the Mothership moving, jet engines and some of the heavier weaponry. Nothing is ever lost in the mix and the whole is wonderfully separated.

District 9 4K Extras

District 9
Don't look my pants have fallen off

The majority of the extras are found on the included Blu-ray, with the new supplements on the UHD.

UHD

Comic-Con Extravaganza – 20 minute feature with Peter Jackson, Neill Blomkamp and Sharlto Copley, that is a bit all over the place regarding content, but nevertheless covers quite a lot in its run time.

Teaser Trailer

Theatrical Trailer

Blu-ray

Audio Commentary - With director/co-writer Neill Blomkamp

Joburg From Above: Satellite and Schematics of the World of District 9

Deleted Scenes

The Alien Agenda: A Filmmaker's Log – 3 Part documentary.

Metamorphosis: The Transformation of Wikus

Innovation: The Acting and Improvisation of District 9

Conception and Design: Creating the World of District 9

Alien Generation: The Visual Effects of District 9

Comic-Con Extravaganza

Conclusion

District 9 4K Blu-ray Review

District 9
Have you heard about our Lord and saviour?

A stunning first feature film from writer/director Neill Blomkamp being a multi-nominated and award wining science fiction story, involving a human being absorbed into an alien culture, quite literally, packs an emotional punch, is action orientated and cuts swathes with its rich social commentary. Stunning.

  

Emotional punch

As a 4K UHD the set from Sony is equally as good; the up-scaled picture is bright, well detailed with vibrant colouring and strong blacks, while the Dolby Atmos track is a surround extravaganza and packs a solid bass punch; add to it a few new extras and you have a winning package.

Scores

Movie

.
9

Picture Quality

.
9

Sound Quality

.
9

Extras

.
.
8

Overall

.
9
9
AVForumsSCORE
OUT OF
10

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