Review: Paddington 2 comes to 4k UHD in the US via Warner Bros. for the first time ever!
Beloved film "Paddington 2" 4k UHD has finally arrived in the states for the first time ever!
Hot off the presses comes Paddington 2 to the 4k UHD format.
Paddington 2 is beloved by fans worldwide - the film is very family friendly and just a pure delight to watch. A feel good comfort movie, no doubt!
The film had previously seen a 4k UHD release from Studio Canal, however, that was only in the UK - the US got skipped over until now!
We were excited to get a chance to review and compare the two 4k UHD releases.
Here’s our thoughts…
Presented on a BD-100 disc the US version is far superior to the 4k UHD version in both picture quality and sound.
Having a 4k release on a BD-100 disc allows for optimal disc space and for a film like Paddington 2 (which has a shorter runtime) all of the space to truly deliver the best of the best transfers.
The Dolby Vision/HDR picture enhances and adds a very nice crispness to the picture. With details in in the front and back showing very nicely. You can see details on clothing, facial details and more!
The black levels in the nighttime sequences are nicely balances.
There’s some scenes where it’s a little too bright, but it’s very few and far between.
The film is derived off a 2k digital intermediate, but I must say - the picture is pristine for an upscale!
The HDR brightness enhances this film in many areas and added so much more warmth over the Blu-ray version of the film. There’s some scenes in it, where it’s a little too bright, but they’re very few and far between.
Now this Dolby Atmos track is astounding. Audio is nicely balanced and never found myself adjusting the volume buttons ever. Paddington 2 is not a loud, action movie, but there’s still scenes that could be louder than others. With Dolby Atmos, those scenes are all balanced, allowing for sound to flow to your ears like water in a river.
Speaking of rivers in the opening scene, the whooshing of the waters just whisks you away in this Atmos track from the very beginning. And the beautiful score is a delicious treat in Atmos similar to how it sounded in Wonka. A very well done Atmos mix!
Unlike the 4k release in the UK, the US version has all of the bonus features on the 4k disc.
I loved all of them including the audio commentary track by the film’s Writer/Director Paul King who most recently made 2023’s hit “Wonka” movie.
This is a 9.5/10 quality release and highly recommend.
You can order yours now, by clicking here.
Bonus Features (all on 4k disc):
Paddington: The Bear Truth
How to Make A Marmalade Sandwich
Music Video with Phoenix Buchanan
The Magical Mystery of Paddington's Pop-Up Book
The Browns and Paddington: A Special Bond; Knuckles: A Fistful of Marmalade
The (Once) Famous Faces of Phoenix Buchanan
Audio Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Paul King