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Malcolm X (Blu-ray 4K)
[Blu-ray 4K]
Blu-ray ALL - United Kingdom - Icon Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Rick Curzon (28th June 2024). |
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The Film
 Spike Lee’s double Oscar nominated biographical epic, Malcolm X, arrives in the UK for the first time in stunning 4K. The 4K Ultra HD special collector’s edition, packaged with a premium O-ring, will contain an exclusive, limited-edition poster and four art cards, and includes more than 20 minutes of deleted scenes introduced by Spike Lee, and the film’s original trailer. Academy Award winner Denzel Washington stars in a career-best performance as Malcolm X, one of the most charismatic and divisive political voices in American history. From poverty to prominence, from hustler to humanist, Malcolm X and his ideologies touched the lives of millions and continue to inspire and enlighten. The complex life of this endlessly fascinating civil rights leader is traced in magnificent detail, held together by the vision of director Spike Lee, who masterfully combines historical and contemporary perspectives to create one of the most ambitious, expansive, and acclaimed biographical dramas of all time. ★★★★★ “A masterpiece” Next Best Picture ★★★★ “One of the great screen biographies … this is an extraordinary life, and Spike Lee has told it in an extraordinary film” Roger Ebert “Lee's finest, most unabashed labor of love” Washington Post “A galvanising political tragedy” Entertainment Weekly
Video
One of Spike Lee's more significant films get the 4K UHD BD deluxe treatment in the UK from Icon Film .distribution. It's a great looking film given by Lee a softer, period look so don't expect the image to be crustal sharp. I suspect that this Icon disc uses the same new 4K restoration super used by cinematographer Ernest Dickerson, it seems to match the grade seen in screen grabs online taken from the 2022 US Criterion disc. This is a warmly coloured film with a palette favouring reds, browns, yellows etc with in HDR10 / Dolby Vision hbe a wider gamut that ensures a more lifelike appearance. The image looks great with superb delineation, no bleed; even taking into consideration the filters used during production to give the film its period ambiance. Heck out the red and gold carpet at 161:20 to see what I mean how the reds in the HDR grade pop out in ways that enhance textures. The contrast ratio running from the whitest highlights through the deepest blacks is astonishing especially when seen in either Dolby Vision or HDR10 (take your pick, I could see little difference to distinguish the two). No blown out highlights and absolutely no unintended crush to be seen with extraordinary shadow detail. Detail is exceptional to the intentions of filtered look along all focal planes. Grain is ultra fine most of the time and expertly handled by the encode. The only thing holding this transfer back from top marks is the fact the 202 minute film has been compressed onto a BD66 rather than a BD100 triple-layered disc; the bitrate rarely rises above 60Mbps ('A'). 2160p24 / BD66 / HEVC / HDR10, Dolby Vision / 1.85:1 / 201:35
Audio
English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz) English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo (48kHz) Subtitles: English HoH I watched the film with the default 5.1 which has a greater and range and depth when compared to the original 2.0 stereo. What's to say. This isn't a reverence quality track because the type of film that Malcolm X is; it's a drama and therefore is primarily people talking. Dialogue is mainly front and centre ... but, and it's a big but. When action does occur it's lively and active across the sound field, only an Atmos track would improve it (check out the assassination). This isn't a reverence quality track because it's not in the same league as a concurrent action blockbuster ala the Bond films which use their sound field more actively and constantly being action orientated. However, it's as good as it's possible for it to be so top marks. The surround field is well used as when prison bells sound off in the left rear speaker, the score plays across the whole soundscape in both obvious and subtle ways. The hard of hearing subtitles are merely adequate. On the sections I checked, stuff was dropped and the intent of lines occasionally compressed. For the soundtrack I rate it 'A+'; for the subtitles I rate them 'B'. Overall, 'A-'.
Extras
Deleted Scenes (with introduction by Spike Lee) (21:23) After an excellent and heartfelt start singing the praises of DVD as a learning tool for prospective filmmakers because they can learn from others by listening to commentaries. He uses DVD as a tool in his teaching on film courses. As far as I can tell this extra is a standard definition upscale and looks very soft for all of the deleted scenes. The newer material with Lee introducing each scene is obviously sharper and most likely shot in HD. The scenes the selves are largely unrestored in that there are very minor signs of age related damage, or rather they're taken from a work-print in very good condition with some slight scratches and speckles on occasion. None of the scenes are essential but they are worthwhile. Presented upscaled SD in 2160p24 1.78:1 with lossy English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo (48kHz, 224Kbps) and no subtitles. Trailer (2:50) Vintage promo presented in 2160p24 1.78:1 with lossy English Dolby Digital 2.0 (48kHz, 224Kbps) and no subtitles. Comes packaged with a premium O-ring, will contain an exclusive, limited-edition poster and four art cards Not sent for review.
Packaging
Not sent for review.
Overall
One of Spike Lee's most essential films gets the 4K treatment from Icon Film Distribution in the UK. It appears to use the same new master used by the 2022 US Criterion UHD BD release. Extras are where this release falls down hard sadly with none of the commentaries or documentaries, only the trailer in 4K and upscaled deleted scenes ('B+').
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