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Thor: The Dark World

4K Ultra HD

Blu Ray

  • Score
    80
    from 4 reviewers
    Review Date:
  • Thor: The Dark World's 4K release enhances visuals & audio, a worthy yet imperfect MCU addition.

    Thor: The Dark World 4K UHD Blu-ray Front Cover

    Disc Release Date:

    2K Upscale
    HDR10
    Dolby Atmos
    Dolby TrueHD
  • Video
    87
  • Thor: The Dark World's 4K UHD release impresses with enhanced detail, richer colors via HDR, and faithful upgrades over Blu-ray, despite minor softness.

  • Audio
    88
  • The Dark World's UHD 4K Blu-ray elevates its audio with a vibrant Dolby Atmos mix, outshines the original, and despite minor volume tweaks, delivers an immersive, wide soundstage and dynamic effects.

  • Extra
    76
  • Thor: The Dark World's 4K lacks extras, bundling old content in Blu-ray: commentary, deleted scenes, featurettes, and gag reel. Notably, 'All Hail the King' shines, yet the commentary disappoints. Digital code included.

  • Movie
    78
  • Thor: The Dark World, deemed a weaker MCU film, suffered production issues yet shines with off-world excitement and strong character moments, despite a forgettable villain and lost potential in direction.

    Video: 87

    Thor: The Dark World" makes its appearance in the 4K UHD realm as a notable upgrade from its Blu-ray counterpart, boasting a 2160p resolution that brings out the textures and hues of Asgard and its inhabitants in stunning clarity. The film, shot digitally using ARRIRAW (2.8K) and Redcode RAW (5K for some shots), captures more refined details, particularly in the darker scenes where improved shadow detail prevents any loss of intricate imagery due to crushing. Colors, too, benefit from the HDR10 (with Dolby Vision available on digital), which, while maintaining the film's muted palette, enhances contrast and nuance significantly over the standard dynamic range presentation.

    The image quality is vastly superior, especially in terms of detail and clarity. The detailing on costumes and environments, as epitomized by Odin's armor and Heimdal's costume, is remarkable, offering a textural richness that is arguably the best in its release wave. Despite being upscaled from a 2K digital intermediate, textures in Thor's cape and the intricate designs in Loki's attire shine through with newfound vividness. Additionally, the HDR grading accentuates the deep reds of the Aether and Thor's cape, alongside providing richer blacks and brighter whites that contribute to a more dynamic image without blooming or loss of detail in shadows.

    However, it's not without its criticisms; early scenes depict a softness, particularly in facial features due to anamorphic lenses used during production. This sporadic softness lightly mars the overall sharpness but is generally outweighed by the otherwise crisp and detailed presentation. The London scenes particularly, and Asgard's depiction—modeled on real islands—showcase the budgetary and effects upgrades effectively. This 4K release illustrates what can be achieved with careful handling of digital source material, presenting "Thor: The Dark World" with a depth and clarity that enhances the viewing experience considerably.

    Audio: 88

    The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Thor: The Dark World" notably enhances the auditory experience from its Blu-ray counterpart, embracing a Dolby Atmos track that broadens the sonic landscape. Though initially, it might seem necessary to adjust the volume upwards - a familiar step for seasoned Disney 4K enthusiasts - this recalibration unlocks a soundstage that is both voluminous and intricately detailed. The mix offers a balanced presentation where dialogue remains crisply intelligible, well-prioritized against an active soundscape of convincing atmospheric effects and a score that, while not groundbreaking, sufficiently bolsters the on-screen action with a solid low-frequency extension (LFE) that lends weight to Thor’s thunderous might and the cataclysmic clashes of alien machinery.

    Despite a somewhat generic score by Bryan Tyler, the audio mix profits from its enhanced dynamic range, allowing for a richer auditory experience that captures the vastness of the film’s battles and quieter moments with equal finesse. The Atmos mix provides an organic panning and movement of sounds, placing viewers in the heart of action sequences with heightened immersion, particularly during moments like Thor wielding Mjolnir or the engaging assault on Asgard. The bass response, while noted as not reaching its full potential initially, robustly supports the film’s more ambitious set pieces as the film progresses, ensuring that effects have a tangible presence.

    Ultimately, while the Dolby Atmos track may not represent the pinnacle of audio achievements, it successfully refines the soundscape with greater naturalism and spatial awareness. Additional language options and subtitles ensure accessibility for a broad audience, maintaining dialogue clarity throughout. Though comparisons with its DTS-HD Master Audio predecessor are inevitable, the Atmos mix introduces a perceptibly improved atmospheric layering and engagement, marking a commendable advancement in audio presentation for "Thor: The Dark World," even if it necessitates initial volume adjustment for optimal enjoyment.

    Extra: 76

    The "Thor: The Dark World" 4K UHD Blu-ray package, while not featuring any extras on the 4K disc itself, compensates by including a separate standard Blu-ray filled with a robust selection of supplementary content mirroring its 2014 release. Highlights include the Marvel One Shot: "All Hail the King", which is particularly notable for its entertaining narrative and a delightful cameo, as well as "A Brother's Journey: Thor & Loki", offering an in-depth exploration of the pivotal character dynamics and story arcs within the MCU. Despite these standout features, the audio commentary, featuring insights from Alan Taylor, Tom Hiddleston, Kevin Feige, and Kramer Morgenthau, tends to lean towards the monotonous. However, it remains informative for enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of the film's production. The inclusion of deleted scenes, a gag reel, and an exclusive look at "Captain America: The Winter Soldier", along with a musical score featurette, round up the extras, offering a comprehensive behind-the-scenes experience despite the slight setback of a less engaging commentary track.

    Extras included in this disc:

    AUDIO COMMENTARY: Featuring Alan Taylor, Tom Hiddleston, Kevin Feige, and Kramer Morgenthau.

    MARVEL ONE-SHOT: ALL HAIL THE KING

    A BROTHER'S JOURNEY: THOR & LOKI

    DELETED & EXTENDED SCENES

    SCORING THOR: THE DARK WORLD

    CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK

    GAG REEL

    Movie: 78

    Thor: The Dark World," though often critiqued as one of the less stellar chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), emerges on 4K UHD Blu-ray with an undeniably superior visual and audio upgrade that breathes new life into its cosmic exploits. The transition to 4K, coupled with HDR enhancement and Dolby Atmos sound, not only sets a new standard for home cinema presentations of MCU films but also accentuates the intricate details of Asgard’s opulence and the dynamic action sequences that define this sequel. The vivid portrayal of otherworldly landscapes and the meticulous sound design elevate the overall viewing experience, showcasing the technical prowess behind this release.

    Despite the film's fraught production history, which saw directorial changes and reshoots that ultimately affected its narrative coherence, "Thor: The Dark World" manages to captivate with its grand scale and off-world visuals. The plot intricately weaves through Thor's quest to protect Jane Foster from the dark clutches of Malekith and the menacing Dark Elves. Enhanced visual and audio fidelity on this 4K UHD Blu-ray allows for a more immersive absorption into Thor's universe, albeit the story suffers from a somewhat disorganized pace and an underutilized villain. Noteworthy, however, are the performances by a committed cast and the Thor/Loki dynamic that continues to be a cornerstone of the franchise, presenting a compelling aspect of the narrative amidst the spectacle.

    The inclusion of legacy supplements from earlier releases might be seen as a drawback for collectors seeking new insights or behind-the-scenes content specific to this 4K edition. Nevertheless, "Thor: The Dark World" in 4K UHD stands out for its technical enhancements, making it an essential addition for MCU aficionados and home theater enthusiasts eager to experience the full auditory and visual impact of Thor’s second outing. Even as the film navigates through its storyline muddles, the 4K presentation underlines the visual feats and character performances that keep this installment enjoyable within Thor's cinematic saga.

    Total: 80

    Thor: The Dark World" on 4K UHD Blu-ray presents an opportunity to revisit the God of Thunder's somewhat overlooked adventure with a visual and auditory enhancement that demands attention. Disney's transfer of the film to 4K format is commendable, showing evident improvements over the first Thor's 4K release. Though not without its flaws, the upgrade to HDR10 does provide a pronounced boost in color depth and clarity, making the fantasy elements and detailed production design pop more than ever before. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack, while slightly soft, becomes immersive and impactful once dialed in, adding a new dimension to the viewing experience.

    The supplemental features, carried over on the included Blu-ray, offer a mixed bag. Noteworthy are the "All Hail the King" short film and in-depth featurettes on Thor & Loki's evolving dynamic, enriching the narrative context for fans and newcomers alike. However, the lackluster audio commentary and underwhelming assortment of other extras leave something to be desired, not fully meeting the expectations for such a significant home release in the MCU lineup. While these drawbacks won't detract from the overall enjoyment for enthusiasts eager to complete or enrich their collections, they represent a step back in terms of added value.

    In conclusion, "Thor: The Dark World" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands as a testament to Disney/Marvel's ongoing efforts to provide fans with superior home viewing experiences. While the film may not rank as the strongest in the Thor series or the wider MCU, this release elevates it with marked improvements in audiovisual quality. It remains a worthy addition for completists and fans of Thor's narrative journey, offering sufficient appeal through its main feature upgrade and select special features. Ultimately, its value is tied to one's affinity for the film and interest in a richer home cinema experience.