Dredd 4K (2012) Ultra HD 2160p REMUX

In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.

Dredd 4K (2012) Ultra HD 2160p REMUX Reviews
Dredd is presented on 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 2.40:1. Assumedly sourced from the film's 2K DI, the uptick in detail is noticeable and HDR provides arguably even more of a difference from the 1080p Blu-ray version, but this still doesn't quite have the sheen and precision seen in Ex Machina 4K, and so I'd grade this as the second most effective of the three 4K UHD re-releases Lionsgate is bringing out in tandem. Some of the coolest changes involve the intentionally hallucinatory "point of view" shots of various drug users scattered throughout the film. Note, for example, the really weird, psychedically tinged, orange and yellow colors in the van carrying the drug runners in an early chase sequence, and the more nuanced yet incredibly bright and vivid tones are immediately apparent when comparing them to the 1080p Blu-ray version. The film is filled with a lot of stylized photography, with some scenes shorn of virtually all color, and other moments offering a really dramatically saturated palette. Detail levels on Dredd's chin stubble are impeccable in close-ups, while some of the CGI still has a slightly soft ambience at times. The film, much like Ex Machina, has a lot of dimly lit material, especially once things get inside the squalid apartment house, and while not quite at the improvement levels seen in Ex Machina, shadow detail is at least marginally improved throughout.

Dredd's audio on the 1080p Blu-ray was flawless in my opinion, and was one of the major selling points to that presentation. That assessment only continues with this 4K UHD's incredibly vigorous Dolby Atmos track, one which provides near constant immersion (beginning with the old school "gear" Lionsgate logo, as well as the other production mastheads, all of which offer really interesting surround sonics). There's wonderfully rumbling but still rather subtle LFE in the opening sequence, where Dredd's narration now seems to hover overhead more. Panning sounds are a regular feature courtesy of the motorcycles the judges ride, and as expected fight scenes, especially those with machine guns, offer a splatter of discretely placed effects that may make some listeners flinch in startle responses at times. As commendable as the video component of this release is, I'd say that audio is again one of the stronger standouts and will really give the discerning audiophile's system a nice workout.