Get Out

Get Out" experiences a significant visual upgrade in its transition from standard Blu-ray to Ultra HD Blu-ray, a move that presents a conundrum to fans—wait for the 4K release or indulge twice for the sake of resolution. The original Blu-ray already showcased an admirable presentation given its modest budget, finely displaying the intricate and lavish details of its setting. Nevertheless, the Ultra HD version succeeds in transcending its predecessor. Shot digitally at 3.4K but ultimately finished with a 2K Digital Intermediate, the transition to 4K involves an upscale process. However, this Ultra HD Blu-ray disc flourishes with a robust 2160p presentation, preserving the movie's original 2.39:1 widescreen ratio. Enhanced with a 10-bit depth, Wider Colour Gamut (WCG), High Dynamic Range (HDR), and encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec, the upgrade is visually palpable.

The enhancements in detail from the Ultra HD Blu-ray are noteworthy. Despite its foundational 2K DI limitation, the 4K version delves deeper into visual nuances, bringing out more intricate textures. This is particularly evident in the lush portrayal of mansion interiors and the surrounding gardens, where nuances and shadows gain prominence, benefiting immensely from HDR's capabilities. Dark sequences see a marked improvement, with HDR accentuating contrasts and enriching blacks without losing clarity. The overall image is cleaner with better defined colors. Furthermore, character-centric details like pores and facial hair are rendered with an organic fidelity, adding layers to the visual storytelling. Garments such as Rodney's TSA shirt reveal intricate fabric details, enhancing realism. The HDR support ensures colors remain vibrant and true to life, with greens and warm shades inside the mansion receiving a natural boost in vitality.

Noise and artifacts are conspicuously absent, maintaining an immaculate viewing experience across all scenes. Despite being an upscale from 2K, "Get Out" on Ultra HD Blu-ray manages to set itself apart with its more fluid, organic look compared to contemporaries released in the same format. This, combined with faithful flesh tones and solid black levels that verge very close to pure depth, ensures that the visual presentation not only respects but enhances the original cinematic vision.

The audio presentation of "Get Out" on its 4K UHD Blu-ray edition receives a palpable boost with the transition from a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track to a more immersive DTS:X mix. Notably, even the underlying DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 core of the DTS:X mix represents a considerable enhancement, refining the film's already impressive sound stage. This enhancement magnifies the immersive experience by delivering punchy, precise, and nuanced audio that skillfully elevates both the tension and the narrative. The dialogue, critical to the plot's progression and emotional resonance, is rendered with clarity and coherence, maintaining prioritization over the intricate soundtrack and effects. This mix is not just about loudness but about enhancing the natural atmosphere and dynamics of the film, avoiding artificial augmentation in favor of genuinely enhancing the viewer's engagement.

The soundtrack, an essential component of "Get Out's" storytelling, features both plot-relevant songs and a compelling instrumental score that perfectly aligns with the movie's emotional trajectory. This DTS:X track shines in its ability to balance explosive dynamic moments with quieter, dialogue-driven scenes, all while keeping ambient sounds relevant and mood-specific. From the haunting opening sequence to the richly textured suburban nightscapes and the aggressive chants in the film's crescendo, each sonic element is meticulously placed for maximum effect. The inclusion of natural ambient sounds and more pronounced effects like squealing brakes adds layers of realism to this auditory experience.

Universal's DTS:X audio track for "Get Out" represents a significant upgrade over its Blu-ray counterpart, refining every aspect where possible. From the studio logos to the most intense scenes, listeners are treated to a rich tapestry of sounds that boast pinpoint detail, nuanced environmental atmospherics, and a deeply immersive sound stage. The DTS:X mix doesn't just complement the visual fidelity of the 4K UHD presentation but elevates the entire viewing experience, proving itself as an integral component of this sleeper hit's success. Dialogue remains crisply intelligible against this rich backdrop, ensuring that every word resonates with its intended impact, thus rounding off what can only be described as a superior aural upgrade.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Get Out" does not introduce any novel supplemental content beyond what was already available in the standard Blu-ray edition. However, it maintains the rich array of extras, offering an insightful audio commentary directly on the UHD disc, while relegating the rest to the bundled Blu-ray. These materials include a making-of featurette that dives deeply into the film's conception and execution, a set of deleted and alternate scenes, each with optional commentary providing context and revealing the thought process behind their omission or alteration. A notable highlight is the alternative ending, presenting a starkly different conclusion to the story. Additionally, a Q&A session with writer/director Jordan Peele and cast offers further behind-the-scenes insights. The package also comes with a UV/iTunes digital copy code, enhancing its value for collectors and fans alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insightful track from Jordan Peele on the UHD disc.
• Alternate Ending: Offers a completely different conclusion to the film.
• Deleted Scenes: A collection of scenes cut from the final film with optional director's commentary.
• Unveiling the Horror of Get Out: A making-of featurette exploring the film's production.
• Q&A Discussion with Writer/Director Jordan Peele and the Cast: Engaging session providing additional insights into the film's development.

Get Out" emerges as director Jordan Peele's impressive debut, intertwining elements of mystery, horror, and thriller genres to craft a narrative that continuously defies expectations, holding the audience in a tight grip of suspense. Set against the backdrop of a seemingly simple story where Chris, a black man, is introduced to his girlfriend Rose's white family, Peele masterfully plays with societal preconceptions. The welcoming veneer of Rose's family soon gives way to peculiar and unsettling discoveries by Chris, blurring the lines between his paranoia and the grim reality of his surroundings. The film's strength lies not only in its ability to maintain high tension with minimal gore but also in its clever injection of social commentary on passive racism and privilege, wrapped in an engaging mystery that refuses to be predictable.

Daniel Kaluuya delivers a stellar performance as Chris, adeptly navigating through a spectrum of emotions, from confidence to sheer desperation, without ever resorting to clichéd plot devices or character folly. His portrayal grounds the movie, creating an empathic conduit for the audience's engagement. The supporting cast, including Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, Stephen Root, and particularly Lil Rel Howery in a role that breaks from the convention, enhances the narrative's complexity and depth. Their performances, combined with Peele's directional prowess, enrich the film with layers of meaning beyond its surface thriller aspects.

Despite the initial delay in releasing the 4K UHD Blu-ray version of "Get Out," it proved to be a worthwhile wait, presenting a modest yet significant enhancement both visually and audibly over its Blu-ray predecessor. This release solidifies its position as the definitive edition of the movie, inviting audiences to experience Peele's riveting and thought-provoking debut in its most polished form. The 4K UHD format accentuates the film's visual and auditory nuances, elevating the viewing experience of what has undoubtedly become one of the year's most critically acclaimed films.

Jordan Peele's directorial debut, "Get Out", receives a stellar presentation in its 4K UHD Blu-ray release, proving itself as a sound investment for both new and returning viewers. The film, a gripping horror/thriller that emerged as a sleeper hit, grossing enormously against a modest budget, is further immortalized with this Ultra HD rendition. The disc maintains the film's tense and unpredictable narrative, enhancing its visual (2160p/HDR) and auditory (DTS: X) components significantly over the original Blu-ray release. Additionally, this edition upholds the same quality selection of extras that fans appreciated before, making it an essential collectible for enthusiasts and a worthy recommendation for those yet to own the title.

This UHD version comes a bit tardy but justifies the wait with its pronounced improvements in picture and sound quality, offering an experience that’s as captivating on subsequent viewings as it is on the first. The leap in resolution and dynamic range brings Peele's vision to life with crisper details and more pronounced contrasts, enriching the viewing experience substantially. For buyers looking to make the most out of their purchase, selling the older Blu-ray version can help offset the cost of upgrading to this definitive release. Its technological advancements make it a notable enhancement over previous formats, compelling for anyone looking to experience "Get Out" in its finest form.

In conclusion, the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Get Out" is a commendable upgrade that successfully translates Jordan Peele’s thrilling narrative into a more immersive home cinema experience. Its significant visual and audio enhancements, coupled with a valuable set of extras, mark it as the ultimate version of the film for collectors and first-time watchers alike. Whether you are a fan looking to revisit the film in unmatched quality or a newcomer eager to dive into Peele’s groundbreaking work, this release is highly recommended and stands as a model for how technological improvements can breathe new life into already exceptional cinematic works.