BLU-RAY REVIEW

Prey 4K Ultra HD

Featured In Issue 269, September/October 2023

Picture5
Sound5
Immersive1
WSR Score4.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
20th Century Studios
(Catalog Number):
243167
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Strong Bloody Violence
(Retail Price):
$39.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-66)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
100
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
ABC
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
(Disc Release Date):
10/3/2023
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Dan Trachtenberg
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD 7.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

The epic "Predator" legacy continues with "Prey," an action-thriller set in 1719 on the Great Plains with a band of Comanches. When Naru, a ?erce and highly skilled young warrior, sets out to protect her people, the prey she stalks turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator — leading to a vicious and terrifying showdown. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary By Dan Trachtenberg, Amber Midthunder, Jeff Cutter and Angela M. Catanzaro, alternative opening scene, the featurettes "Making Of Prey" and "Prey FYC Panel With Cast & Crew", deleted scenes and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally in anamorphic /i Scope using the Arri Alexa Mini LF camera system and sourced from a 4K Digital Intermediate. Mountainous planes with wonderful vistas serve as the beautiful setting for this thrilling Predator experience. Color fidelity perfectly natural with green, brown and tan earth tones prominent. The Comanche Indians' and French fur hunters' flesh tones appear perfectly natural. Their clothing exhibits warm textures. Color shadings are nuanced and enhance the realism of the imagery. HDR contrast is excellent with natural black levels, revealing shadows and natural white levels. Resolution is superb with sharp and clear imagery throughout. Fine detail is exhibited throughout in the landscape, facial features and the Predator appearance, including his semi-opaque scaliness. This is a wonderfully cinematic picture that will thrill fans of the series. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with terrific sound effects enhanced with deep, often transient bass that extensions to sub 25-Hz. Forestry atmospherics sound perfectly natural. The Predator's clicking sounds are chilling. Complex Foley sound effect are precisely synced with picture. The orchestral score emphasizes native Indian instrumentation with percussive elements. The music extends widely and deeply across the soundstage and extends to the surrounds for aggressive envelopment. Dialogue is clear and understandable.

The Immersive Sound element is minor with the Predator spacecraft roaring overhead, a couple instances of nuanced outdoor ambiance, and a couple seconds of a mountain lion's roar.This is very disappointing, especially since the setting and action are ideal for height layer treatment.

This is a terrific holosonic® ear level soundtrack with realistically natural environmental atmospherics and effective sound effects that deliver an exciting experience. Note: a Comanche Dolby Digital 5.1 dub is an option. (Gary Reber)