I previously reviewed Ant-Man and The Wasp upon its theatrical release. This review will focus primarily on the Ultra HD edition from Disney.
My reviews of the preceding UHD editions from Disney (Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War) highlighted certain audio and visual shortcomings. Given that the Captain Marvel UHD edition presented only a slightly conservative audio mix and no significant visual flaws, my expectations were elevated for Ant-Man and The Wasp.
From the opening scene, it’s evident that this is a distinct experience compared to those earlier releases. The image exhibits enhanced clarity, improved color fidelity and depth, and excellent black levels. The opening scene features the digitally rejuvenated versions of both Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer. Unlike the effect in Aquaman UHD, the visual enhancement here appears even more refined than it did theatrically. The intricate details incorporated into the skin textures by the filmmakers are now discernible, displaying subtle, natural imperfections that contribute to a realistic appearance. The film is rich in detail, and the UHD edition’s clarity is particularly beneficial given the diminutive size of the protagonists at times.
The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is exceptionally well-realized, making this a film that benefits significantly from a high-quality home theater system equipped with capable speakers. The sound is not only immersive and enveloping, but the strategic use of silence is also noteworthy. When Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) enters the quantum realm, the resulting silence is profound and devoid of extraneous noise, an effect that was less pronounced during the theatrical presentation. The subsequent resurgence of sound, complete with surround effects, was genuinely impressive.
The only minor drawback lies in the supplemental material, which consists of brief promotional segments (euphemistically labeled “documentaries”), a blooper reel, and deleted scenes. However, the inclusion of an informative and engaging commentary track is a definite positive.
Ant-Man and The Wasp was already a worthwhile addition to any film library. This exceptional UHD edition, with its enhanced audio and visual fidelity, elevates the viewing experience to its fullest potential.
