The Purge

The Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "The Purge" as part of Universal's Trilogy package provides a commendable visual enhancement over its original Blu-ray counterparts, despite some limitations stemming from its original digital capture. Photographed using a 2.8K resolution but finished with a 2K Digital Intermediate, the transition to 4K UHD is not without its quirks, resulting in an upscale rather than a true 4K presentation. Nonetheless, the 2160p resolution, combined with HDR and a Wider Colour Gamut encoded using the HEVC (H.265) codec, offers a more nuanced and improved viewing experience. While set predominantly at night with challenging low-light conditions and a heavy reliance on surveillance footage aesthetic, this Ultra HD rendition manages to extract subtle yet appreciable details and depth, especially noticeable in skin textures, clothing, and environmental elements.

The HDR enhancement effectively elevates the visual dynamics of "The Purge," presenting fuller skin tones, more saturated colors around the suburban setting of the film, and achieving a slight increase in detail clarity. Despite the movie's inherent limitation with darker scenes and stylized low-light cinematography, the HDR processing brings to the forefront enhanced shadow details and deeper blacks, albeit occasionally veering towards a very dark blue spectrum and encountering minor noise in some outdoor night scenes. This enhancement aids in creating a modest sense of depth and clarity across various scenes, without overstepping into overt artificiality.

However, the upgrade is not without its shortcomings. The overall presentation occasionally suffers from posterization and mild banding issues, particularly evident in darker sequences involving flashlights—a fundamental aspect of the film's visual narrative. Specular highlights, while improved, sometimes lead to detail obscuration due to blooming effects. The color palette receives a boost but remains relatively constrained by the film's stylized cinematography, resulting in somewhat pale and lifeless complexions and limited variation in hues. Despite these technical grievances, the Ultra HD Blu-ray of "The Purge" succeeds in providing an upgraded viewing experience albeit one that could best be described as a modest enhancement rather than a transformative overhaul, with a video rating that reflects its middling advancement in the realm of UHD releases.

The audio experience of "The Purge" 4K UHD Blu-ray has been substantially upgraded with a DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack, building upon its already solid DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 core to deliver a more nuanced, immersive auditory journey. The track stands out for not just its clarity and the crispness of dialogue but also the depth and potency of its effects—from the hefty thud of the lockdown sequence's metallic shutters to the authoritative crack of gunfire, each sound element adds a layer of tension and immersion. Of particular note is the LFE channel, which brings an unexpectedly sharp and enveloping punch, ensuring that the low-end frequencies add not merely volume but a palpable texture to the viewing experience. The comprehensive coverage and dynamic range foster an environment where even the subtler sounds contribute to the film's dense atmosphere, showcasing Universal's commitment to enriching the audio landscape beyond the standard expectations.

Despite the focus on an expansive front-heavy soundscape sprawling across the three front channels, subtle uses of off-screen effects and occasional overhead components introduce moments of hemispheric immersion. These aspects, while not consistently employed to create a continuous half-dome environment, provide instances of expanded soundfield that reward attentive listeners. Gunshots and voice echoes around the viewer exemplify how well mixed moments can pull one deeper into the narrative space of "The Purge". While the improvement in mid-range clarity over its predecessor is noted, it does not mark a significant leap forward, suggesting that there were already high standards in place.

In concert with technical enhancements, dialogue retains its prominence, anchored firmly in the center channel, ensuring that narrative clarity is never sacrificed amid the complex audio design. The low-end performance, though not groundbreaking, complements action sequences with sufficient weight, rounding off a competent and engaging auditory package. This combination of sharp LFE impacts, detailed ambient creation, and strategic use of spatial sound engineering demonstrates a meticulous approach to audio presentation—appreciating both the dramatic peaks and the quieter moments of dread that define "The Purge".

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Purge" remains consistent with its predecessors in terms of supplemental content, offering nothing new or exclusive to enhance the technical viewing experience. Enthusiasts searching for a wealth of behind-the-scenes material will find the extras somewhat lacking, with the only feature being a brief featurette available on the accompanying Blu-ray disc, rather than the UHD disc itself. This featurette, titled "Surviving The Night - The Making of The Purge," clocks in at approximately 9 minutes and provides a concise overview of the film's production. While the inclusion of any extras is welcome, those expecting a deep dive into the film’s lore or additional content will be left wanting more. The extras do not leverage the potential of the 4K UHD format, focusing instead on porting over previously available material.

Extras included in this disc:

• Surviving The Night - The Making of The Purge: Brief overview of the film's production.

The Purge," as introduced in its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release, brings to light a gripping and rather chilling premise that could have been the backbone for a deeply insightful commentary on society's class struggles, morality, and the inherent violence within humans. This first installment of the franchise sets a near-future dystopian America where a government-sanctioned event allows for a 12-hour period in which all crimes, including murder, are legal. Through the lens of a wealthy family, whose sense of security behind their high-tech fortress is shattered, the film attempts to navigate through the moral conundrums and societal implications of such an event. However, the potential for a thought-provoking exploration of these themes is largely untapped, as the narrative quickly descends into a rather conventional home invasion thriller, foregoing any profound sociopolitical analysis for the sake of action and suspense.

Despite its groundbreaking concept, "The Purge" disappoints with its execution, failing to delve deeper into the implications of its own premise. The film's critique of violence and societal breakdown feels shallow, overshadowed by clichéd plot developments and a predictable storyline that leans heavily on the tropes of its genre. The performances, particularly by Ethan Hawke as the successful security systems salesman and patriarch, offer some redemption, but they're hampered by underdeveloped characters and a script that leaves much to be desired in terms of depth and originality. The critique extends to the portrayal of gender dynamics within the narrative, resorting to stereotypical roles that serve little beyond advancing a plot driven by male heroism and unnecessary brutality.

On the technical front, the 4K Ultra HD presentation itself does not disappoint. The visual clarity and sound quality enhance the viewing experience, offering an immersive entry into the film's disturbing world. The heightened resolution accentuates the stark contrast between the safety within the family's home and the chaos outside, underscoring the film's thematic underpinnings of security and vulnerability. However, while the technical aspects of the release are commendable, they cannot wholly compensate for the movie's missed opportunities to engage more deeply with its intriguing premise.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Purge" Trilogy, where the first film in the series is a central piece, offers a divisive experience. On one hand, it's criticized for its lackluster narrative and failure to fully explore its engaging premise of a dystopian society indulging in legal crime for one night, despite a compelling performance by Ethan Hawke. On the flip side, this new 4K presentation is praised for its technical enhancements. The transfer showcases noticeable improvements in visual quality with its refined use of Wide Color Gamut (WCG) and High Dynamic Range (HDR), paired with a significant audio boost provided by the DTS:X soundtrack. These upgrades are mentioned to elevate the viewing experience, making it a potential draw for enthusiasts and fans of the franchise.

There seems to be a consensus that while "The Purge" may struggle with its execution and depth, the UHD upgrade brings something worthwhile to the table for both newcomers and returning viewers. The enhanced video and superb audio quality are highlighted, although it's noted that no new extras were included, much to the disappointment of fans hoping for previously unreleased content. This collection, being part of the trilogy box set, presents itself as a mixed bag: visually and audibly pleasing yet leaves a bit to be desired in terms of fresh bonus content.

In conclusion, Universal's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Purge" Trilogy elevates the original film's presentation, yet falls short of being an outright recommendation due to its narrative shortcomings and lack of new special features. The superior technical aspects, like enhanced video clarity and immersive DTS:X audio, make it a tempting acquisition for hardcore enthusiasts or those unacquainted with the series. However, for a film that teeters on the edge of untapped potential, this release mirrors that sentiment - an opportunity partly seized but not fully capitalized on.