We previously reviewed the 2019 Hellboy remake during its theatrical release (and enjoyed it). This review focuses on the regrettably disappointing treatment Hellboy has received on Blu-ray and Ultra HD.
As I noted in my review of Universal’s Charlie Says on Blu-ray, I find “vanilla” Blu-ray releases to be inadequate. In fact, the Charlie Says release was comparatively better than this one. We currently live in an era where high-definition streaming is readily available across the country. One can stream Netflix in HD even from remote locations. This has meant that Blu-ray has not supplanted its predecessor, VHS, in the way that DVD did. Full HD Blu-ray, and especially Ultra HD in 4K, is aimed at the dedicated film enthusiast who demands superior quality and is unwilling to tolerate the artifacts of low bitrate streams affected by internet connectivity issues. Physical media caters to those who prioritize optimal quality and maintain a film collection they value.
Why, then, are bare-bones Blu-ray releases containing only the film being produced? This release lacks even chapter selection! Extra features are included on international editions of Hellboy, indicating that additional content was available for inclusion. The picture quality on Noble’s Blu-ray release is acceptable, and the audio exhibits some effective surround sound, particularly during a scene where a bullet audibly travels around the listening space. However, that concludes the positive aspects.
A Swedish Ultra HD release of the film exists, but it omits the Dolby Atmos high-resolution audio track. Consequently, the Swedish distributor fails to deliver a complete release. This would be less concerning if a Dolby Atmos track were unavailable, but a foreign release includes this sound format. UHD is positioned as a premium product for film enthusiasts who seek the ultimate experience – why release it without proper implementation?
My disappointment might be mitigated if these releases were significantly less expensive; however, charging full price for them is unacceptable.
