Video Quality
Bumblebee was digitally photographed, reportedly at a resolution of 3.4K, and finished at 2K. The image offers a noticeable, if not fairly standard, UHD boost to textures and colors over the excellent Blu-ray that make this the definitive home video version of the film, but not necessarily a top-end reference image or a significant leap from 1080p. Human skin details -- pores, hairs -- are more complexly visible, tactile, more easily and readily defined. Environments are appreciably more dense and detailed as well, including the wooded area seen during the paintball exercise that opens the film's story on Earth, Charlie's home, the carnival grounds, or the garage where Charlie spends much of her free time. The scrap yard area is of particular note, where rusted old cars and boats yield a heathy increase in detail over the 1080p image. The digital effects are polished, too, with the upscaled 4K resolution showcasing the various moving parts with a clarity and precision the Blu-ray cannot quite find. The increase in total image sharpness yields a wonderful presentation that plays very well at the larger aspect ratio, effectively pulling the viewer into the film's 1980s man vs. machine world.
The Dolby Vision color palette offers further image clarification. The improvements to depth and saturation often greatly enhance the image, particularly when it comes to the Transformers. The opening Cybertron battle offers a dazzling display of colorful characters, laser blasts, and explosions, all of which yield greater intensity and saturation over the Blu-ray. Bumblebee yellow, even under layers of caked-on grime and dirt, presents with greater boldness and tonal accuracy. One of the best examples of the Dolby Vision color improvements comes in the character's blue eyes. The shade is much brighter, deeper, and solidified by improved luminance. Colors enjoy these sort of refinements whether during bright daytime exteriors, warmly lit interiors, or nighttime scenes, where black levels depth appears more dense and accurate. Flesh tones push a little warm at times, but the image overall favors a fairly neutral palette rather than the hyper contrast from Bay's films. Light noise remains in evidence but the picture is otherwise free of serious blemish. This is a very cinematic, highly enjoyable UHD image. It's not the most dynamic on the market, but it's sharp and clear and a healthy upgrade over the Blu-ray.
Credit: blu-ray.com
Audio Quality
Bumblebee's Dolby Atmos soundtrack delivers, just as expected from a Transformers movie. There's no shortage of intensive surround implementation, several good examples of overhead engagement, and bass is prolific throughout. Meteors scream down in chapter seven with a highlight top end movement. Helicopters rush through with discrete overhead engagement in chapter 14. Action scenes are wonderfully realized, from the opening battle on Cybertron forward, with tremendous depth to gunshots, full-use surround integration, and wide front stretch. Each action scene is an exercise in precise and potent movie soundtrack engineering. There are a few moments when depth overpowers finesse, when subtle details sound a little muted, particularly during the climactic action scenes, but these are mostly trivial shortcomings that don't interrupt the sonic flow and flavor at work. Score is large and clarity is distinguished. A number of popular 80s tracks are heard in spurts throughout, and each of them sounds better than when they were released back in the day. Dialogue is clear and detailed. It's well prioritized and maintains a firm front-center positioning.
4K Bluray details
Video
Codec: HEVC / H.265
Resolution: Upscaled 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audio
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Czech: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1
Hungarian: Dolby Digital 5.1
Polish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1
Russian: Dolby Digital 5.1
Thai: Dolby Digital 5.1
Turkish: Dolby Digital 5.1
(less)
Note: Spanish España y Latinoamérica, Portuguese Brasil All Dolby Atmos tracks have a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) core
Subtitles
English, English SDH, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Korean, Malay, Mandarin (Simplified), Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Swedish, Thai, Turkish (less)
Discs
4K Ultra HD
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD-66, 1 BD-50)
Packaging
Slipcover in original pressing
Embossed print
Booklet
Playback
4K Blu-ray: Region free
2K Blu-ray: Region free