Ultra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews

Set in the year 2065, The Creator tells of a war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence that ensues after a nuclear device levels Los Angeles, killing millions. Joshua, a former Special Forces operative sent to track down AI’s mysterious leader, is now a shell of his former self after suffering a tragic loss in the line of duty. Years later, the military recruits him to locate the elusive architect of advanced AI and a weapon he created, which has the power to end the war… and humankind.

Joshua crosses into enemy-occupied territory only to discover the world-ending weapon he’s been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child. This is a wonderfully fresh take on the sci-fi/action genre. Focusing on Joshua and “Alphie,” the post-apocalyptic story is as much drama as thriller, interweaving tonal shifts to play upon our heartstrings and fears. The characters are gradually stirred into this cinematic stew, which works well within the narrative’s construct. The elements of action are effectively scattered throughout as the engaging plot unfolds, going from a simmer to a boil before reaching its inevitable conclusion.

The Creator, which received 2024 Oscar nominations for Sound and Visual Effects, is a contemporary and stylized film that strives to recreate the look and feel of director Gareth Edwards’ unique vision. Epic in both narrative and scope, that vision comes through in this Ultra HD rendering. The video, with its ultra-wide 2.76:1 aspect ratio and gritty aesthetic, reveals discerning levels of detail, definition, color and emboldened contrast that heighten its thematic impact. Dark elements mixed with bright highlights look simply terrific, revealing deep, interstitial blacks and well-delineated shadows. The film’s many close-ups reveal oodles of detail, whereas wide-angle shots deliver multi-dimensional imagery that captures the essence of the story. High dynamic range plays an essential role in the presentation which, across the board, is simply excellent.

The Dolby Atmos surround mix is an active one, comprised of a combination of atmospherics, panning fills and discrete sounds. Nearfield sound placement in the bed channels is spot-on, providing an involving listening experience that emboldens the “being there” effect. Dialogue has refined vocal character and excellent room penetration. When the action ramps up, the track creates a resplendent blend of room traversing and well-balanced sound that elevated my enjoyment of the film.

The lone bonus feature is a “making of” documentary, which is worth watching. An HD Blu-ray disc and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code are included. The Creator is an entertaining film that’s recommended on UHD Blu-ray.

ULTRA HD 4K BLU-RAY
STUDIO: Fox 2023
ASPECT RATIO: 2.76:1
HDR FORMAT: HDR10
AUDIO FORMAT: Dolby Atmos with TrueHD 7.1 core
LENGTH: 133 mins., PG-13
DIRECTOR: Gareth Edwards
STARRING: John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Allison Janney, Madeleine Yuna Voyles