Bumblebee 4K UHD (2018)

[kyloren]

This movie was shot with ARRIRAW camera’s in a 3.4K format and given a 2K Digital Intermediate. As per the norm with UHD releases, it was also given a HDR color grade for your viewing pleasure in Dolby Vision.

This disc has a really clean, sharp image with little to no grain for the majority of the movie. You will see some moderate, arguably heavy grain in later stages of the film — but nothing that takes away from the overall quality. With that sharp-detailed image you will get some reference grade material, and with that full screen ratio — you will get that full screen of 4K goodness. Outside of that, there will be some soft scenes mixed in, but nothing that takes away from the overall look.

Another side note: the Blu-ray disc holds a solid image on it’s own, but the 4K UHD disc brings out a whole other level of detail and sharpness.

The HDR and black levels are pretty solid across the board as well. You will see black levels demonstrated in low lit scenes inside the car, garage, inside the US Special Operation Headquarters, the police chase at night, etc. All doing it’s job — giving great contrast to the color on the screen. (There were a some scenes where a lot of atmospherics were in effect which made some blacks appear with a grey-ish hue.)

HDR will come into effect in the various colors of the Transformers — while more noticeably on Bumblebee himself. The boosts to his yellow armor and especially the blue hue in his eyes. This continues in the various beach scenes, rides along the coast and (even though brief) the Carnival scenes. It’s the 80’s… color and wardrobe go hand-in-hand.

Where this disc gives it reference grade material the most will be in the character close-up’s. While the character face’s will show deep pores, makeup, facial hair and blemishes — Transformers will show dents, scratches, dirt and everything else a war tested machine would look like. Some of the detail and clarity in these in-your-face moments are demo worthy in every aspect. As with most films in today’s market, the CGI holds up (almost the whole time) — it really looks seamless at times. There was a specific scene I noted where the CGI was below-par. This happened when Charlie and Bee were walking through the woods. (Check it out and let me know if you agree.)

Now on to some highlights! As I mentioned above, basically every single close-up shot is reference material. I won’t bore you repeating it, because it can be echoed dozens of times throughout the film.

You will get some of those up-close shots and detail with HDR giving boosts to the yellow on Bumblebee in Chapter 6 when Charlie and Bee meet. Everything from the scratches, rust and dirt will be visible while reference face shots come into play back and forth. This continues in Chapter 11 with shots of Charlie and Memo in the bug — the “teach yourself how to talk” sequence. You’ll get great scenic shots with colors highlighted in the greenery, blue-green’s in the ocean and gritty browns from the dirt.

Again in Chapter 13 you will see Bumblebee destroying the house as he tip-toe’s around trying to do exactly the opposite. The CGI looks fantastic when it doesn’t have to account for other characters on screen. Finally, in Chapter 18 you get the showdown at the tower. Great black levels with HDR being used to enhance the green in the electricity waves, more yellow boosts on Bumblebee, reds on the Decepticons and explosions look great too — as they always do in UHD. Lastly, the closing shots of Charlie and Bee overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s an intimate closing scene with (yes) more up-close reference shots around the big backdrop of San Fransisco coastline.

My two cents on the movie? I believe I was 16 when the first Transformers came out back in 2007, so I’ve been watching these movies over the last decade time and time again — I’m probably part of the problem with millennials and franchises. Even if a Transformer movie is mediocre or (The Last Knight) bad, there’s still some entertainment value and billions of dollars to be made — which is why it won’t stop anytime soon.

I like the fact that Bumblebee takes a step back and adds some character depth getting back to it’s roots — instead of the normal bloated blockbuster filled with explosions and eye candy. In conclusion, on top of a solid movie, you also get an impressive 4K disc with reference material. I can easily say this is highly recommended.

[buckeye1]

Originally Posted by kyloren

Review copy came in -- it also comes with a comic.

I did my pre-order with Amazon, will all 4K copies come with comics?

[Geoff D]

Gah, looks like the UK release will be the cut version, it seems as if the censored Aussie edition was cut in the exact same way so we'll probably be 'sharing' the discs: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...0#post16209900

On the one hand I'm narked that Paramount won't even put the uncut version on the UK/Aussie UHD (as I doubt too many kids will be wandering off with that version), but on the other I'm actually quite pleased that Par would go to the trouble of doing separate masterings and pressings for these in 4K, it means that they feel these markets are worth doing that for and that they have the replication capacity to do so.

[Derekforeals]

I’m new to pre-ordering from Walmart... does the instawatch that’s given (the Digital copy sent through email, which redeemed as HDX), will the code in-pack supersede the HDX stream and redeem as UHD?

I went ahead an preordered it and received the bumblebee instawatch (as well as the first transformers live action movie as a bonus), but bumblebee redeemed as the HDX version, even though I ordered the 4k version. I’m just curious.

[tcripe]

Originally Posted by Derekforeals

I’m new to pre-ordering from Walmart... does the instawatch that’s given (the Digital copy sent through email, which redeemed as HDX), will the code in-pack supersede the HDX stream and redeem as UHD?

I went ahead an preordered it and received the bumblebee instawatch (as well as the first transformers live action movie as a bonus), but bumblebee redeemed as the HDX version, even though I ordered the 4k version. I’m just curious.

That’s wal mart for ya!

[unsung122212]

Originally Posted by Derekforeals

I’m new to pre-ordering from Walmart... does the instawatch that’s given (the Digital copy sent through email, which redeemed as HDX), will the code in-pack supersede the HDX stream and redeem as UHD?

I went ahead an preordered it and received the bumblebee instawatch (as well as the first transformers live action movie as a bonus), but bumblebee redeemed as the HDX version, even though I ordered the 4k version. I’m just curious.

I was hoping that the iw would redeem uhd since some fox 4k releases do. So far, the only confirmed 4k iw giving uhd have been from fox. If you want uhd, best bet is to order in on vudu via disc+digital.

[Danny80916]

I did mine through vudu I got uhd but no transformers part 1

[Alister_M]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Gah, looks like the UK release will be the cut version, it seems as if the censored Aussie edition was cut in the exact same way so we'll probably be 'sharing' the discs: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...0#post16209900

On the one hand I'm narked that Paramount won't even put the uncut version on the UK/Aussie UHD (as I doubt too many kids will be wandering off with that version), but on the other I'm actually quite pleased that Par would go to the trouble of doing separate masterings and pressings for these in 4K, it means that they feel these markets are worth doing that for and that they have the replication capacity to do so.

Australia is still undetermined, it looks like the BD will definitely be cut but the UK version isn't due for an entire month after, so Australia will probably be getting the US 4K disc. So it'll be a cut BD, uncut 4K situation just like John Wick 2.

[Geoff D]

People don't seem to be convinced of that in the quoted thread??

[lgans316]

I remember watching the PG (cut) version at Vue with my son which suited the occasion as he is only 6.5 years old but thought the UHD will be uncut which won't be the case. So another one to add to my import queue.

Regarding blacks appear with a grey-ish hue, I think it makes sense as that's exactly how it looked in the theater.

[Eeeper]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Gah, looks like the UK release will be the cut version, it seems as if the censored Aussie edition was cut in the exact same way so we'll probably be 'sharing' the discs: https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...0#post16209900

On the one hand I'm narked that Paramount won't even put the uncut version on the UK/Aussie UHD (as I doubt too many kids will be wandering off with that version), but on the other I'm actually quite pleased that Par would go to the trouble of doing separate masterings and pressings for these in 4K, it means that they feel these markets are worth doing that for and that they have the replication capacity to do so.

God, I completely forgot the version we got here and in the UK was cut. Now ordering the US version because of better exchange rates seems like a blessing in disguise.

[Sky_Captain]

Onto the list of Go Peachy specials, it goes.

[Geoff D]

Yep, them or mario

[lgans316]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yep, them or mario

There are few others like mario, sometimes cheaper as well.

[DavidNexus8]

Purchased Disc+Digital on Vudu. Same price as Amazon and Bestbuy.
Happy to report even the lossy Atmos is very good. Great bass! Looking forward to the 4K disc and its lossless Atmos track.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by lgans316

There are few others like mario, sometimes cheaper as well.

There are three or four sellers on there that I think are him and always cross-check prices when I feel like getting something, so only mentioning his name once is enough

[Geoff D]

UK cover is up at zoom, note the PG rating:



I'm thinking that it's a slam dunk now that the Aussie disc will be the same cut version.

[lgans316]

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/bumblebee-film

CUT This work was passed uncut.

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/bumblebee-2018

CUT All known versions of this work passed uncut.

[chuffster]

It was pre-cut by 6 seconds by the distributors by , on the advice of the BBFC, then tHAT version was passed uncut.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by lgans316

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/bumblebee-film

CUT This work was passed uncut.

https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/bumblebee-2018

CUT All known versions of this work passed uncut.

The film was re-edited by Paramount THEMSELVES on advice from the BBFC after rating the original version at a '12', hence the BBFC didn't have to technically 'cut' anything themselves, hence the "all known versions passed uncut", hence the PG ratings for the home video versions not showing as "cut" either.

If you click on that first link, under 'Details' you'll find the following:

Re-edited version. Film originally classified 12A in a different version on 22 November 2018.

so turn those upside down!