Why So Blu?

Nope – Collector’s Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

Nope was probably my most anticipated movie of summer 2022 at the theaters. Something original from one of our best director’s that’s just sort of still even getting off the ground in terms of building a catalog. If Jordan Peele has a film out, you’re there opening weekend. Pretty easy. And his latest, Nope, continued to prove he’s a sellable commodity all on his own in a sea of franchises, remakes and IP. The latest opus of his arrives on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray just in time for Halloween on October 25th. It’ll feature shifting IMAX aspect rations as well as an Atmos track to best replicate his intended look and feel at home. There is also a nice handful of bonus features stocked on there as well. To pre-order Jordan Peele’s Nope on 4K Ultra-HD, scroll down to the bottom of this review and click the paid Amazon Associates link.

Film

Following their father’s shocking death, Hollywood animal wrangler OJ (Kaluuya) and his sister Emerald (Palmer) begin observing unexplained phenomena on their vast Southern California ranch that leads them down an obsessive rabbit hole as they plot attempts to capture the mystery on camera. Along with a former child star turned family theme park ringmaster (Yeun) who neighbors the siblings, the pair’s efforts to chase the spectacle soon bring terrifying consequences and unimaginable horror. The result is a complex social thriller that unpacks the seeds of violence, risk and opportunism that are inseparable from the romanticized history of the American West … and from show business itself.

After two films, Jordan Peele developed a sort of expectation as to how he does thing and what his films were about. So, when Nope was being unleashed upon us in marketing, speculation was rampant with people knowing exactly what it was going to be. Most people pegged it being aliens and thought marketing in further trailers quite possible spilled too many beans. Sane people realized Peele’s not a dumb dumb and he’s going to only show you want he wants you to be seeing to entice you to come to his latest movie.

In true talented director fashion, it wasn’t “exactly” what people were thinking it was. There was more to it. And as for the expectations for what his film would be like, he went to the side of them and crafted something very different with Nope. His typical social commentary was there, but it was less heavy handed and focused in some other areas that maybe don’t cut quite as deep on the instant surface. Nope has Peele wanting to unveil some hidden history of the film industry, expose some ugliness of studio productions and find itself with a childlike wonder and ties to overdue family heritage appreciation and reconciliation. There are also very minimalist, visual cues in this film akin to being “pure cinema” as those hip kids like to say that really enrich and add value to the film as art.

Peele truly boasts a pretty terrific casts of stars and veterans to fill out his paranormal thriller. Keke Palmer radiates off the screen like no other and proves she should be headlining tons of films time and time again. Daniel Kaluuya proves to be a very big team player and supply what’s best for the film in a really strong but reserved role perfect for the character and detriment to the film’s success. The additions of Michael Wincott and Keith really paint some nice bits of bookends for some of the more matured backbone of the film. Steven Yeun is a tragic, interesting character at the heart of the story  and Brandon Perea supplies some good laughs.

With Nope, Jordan Peele may not have topped his previous outings, but that’s more than fine as he still delivers a terrific experience at the multiplex. This time around, he appears to be focused on exploring himself as a craftsman and sharing more hidden histories of the film industry, rather than gutting you with subtle and not so subtle commentary. It won’t disturb you like his previous works, but it certainly will thrill and bring you laughter at the same time. Its high end summer movie-going experience and Peele and company more than live up to that billing.

Video

Disclaimer: Screen captures used in the review from the standard Blu-ray, not the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc.

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1, 1.78:1

Layers: BD-100

Clarity/Detail: Jordan Peele’s Nope showcases some outstanding cinematography and large scale that translates wonderfully onto this 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray disc. The film switches aspects ratios to best display the sequences shot specifically for IMAX. The image features very nice color saturation, natural black levels and the finest details and textures for crisp, clean presentation.

Depth: Depth of field is outstanding there’s a very three dimensional and open feel to the film, especially as the camera moves. You witness and feel a nice pushback and 360 degree free for all with fluid motions and confident camera pans. Movement is smooth, natural and experience zero distortions of jitter or blur from rapid action sequences or camera movements.

Black Levels: Blacks are deep and natural, really well saturated with the contrast helping bring out the beauty and sting of some light displays and clothing. No crushing witnessed.

Color Reproduction: Colors are gorgeous and while set in the desert, Peele does a lot to offset that with various clothing choices and the inflatable waving guys that make-up part of the amusement attraction that is nearby. Contrast in the dark really helps them pop, but they bounce well on the sunlit scenes as well.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones are natural and consistent from start to finish of the film. Facial features and textures are clear as day from any given distance in the frame, easily making out freckles, moles, sweat, wrinkles, stubble, facial grease, dried blood/dirt, wounds and more.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean.

Audio

Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus

Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish

Dynamics: Nope features and outstanding Atmos track that really brings the film to life and allows you to experience it with the characters from the comfort of your own viewing space. Its well mapped out, layered with loads of depth and some playfulness for you to enjoy a good 360 degree appearance. Even the quieter scenes in this are nice and feel plenty lived in and spacious in an atmospheric way.

Height: There’s a lot of action from up top, which is nice considering this is a sorta take on a UFO story. But debris, things rising, heavy winds, destruction and plenty more flow through the ceiling channels with some rock solid force and power.

Low Frequency Extension:  The subwoofer bumps and pounds with solid force to add to sound effects but also give the score some gusto as well.

Surround Sound Presentation: As hinted up top, this one is a playful but accurate mixture that really gives a fully rounded feel. Rear and side channels are fully accounted for and bring plenty of importance from unique contributions to helping with travel to marking off screen activity to give the visual dynamics accurate.

Dialogue Reproduction:  Vocals are crisp and clean.

Extras

Nope – Collector’s Edition comes with the standard Blu-ray edition and redeemable digital copy.

Deleted Scenes (4K, 9:25)

Gag Reel (4K, 5:29)

Shadows: The Making of Nope (4K, 56:05) – This is a full on deep dive, retrospective look into the film that goes over all aspects, but more interestingly the cast and crew really dive into their thoughts and meanings behind the themes and even go beyond some of what is in the film. A terrific worthwhile documentary that would give this extras section a 3/3.5 star rating all on its own.

Call Him Jean Jacket (4K, 14:22) – This featurette focuses on the design and background of the extraterrestrial presence featured in the movie.

Mystery Man of Muybridge (4K, 5:30) – Peele goes over his curiosity with “The Horse In Motion” by Eadweard Muybridge and how he wanted to incorporate and flesh it out in his film.

Summary

Jordan Peele’s Nope continues his hot streak of some varied works in the art of horror and suspense. Universal’s 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray of the film does it good justice with a terrific visual presentation that shifts to “IMAX ratios” in appropriate moments to honor his intention. The Atmos track engulfs and sucks you in as well. You can tell Peele cares about all aspects of his films as his bonus features are fruitful as well. Called a Collector’s Edition, for a new release from a major studio, I’d say it probably lives up to that by today’s standards.

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