Why So Blu?

The Social Network (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

On a fall night in 2003, Harvard undergrad and computer programming genius Mark Zuckerberg sits down at his computer and heatedly begins working on a new idea. In a fury of blogging and programming, what begins in his dorm room soon becomes a global social network and a revolution in communication. A mere six years and 500 million friends later, Mark Zuckerberg is the youngest billionaire in history… but for this entrepreneur, success leads to both personal and legal complications. The Social Network is released on 4K UHD Blu-ray (in a Steelbook!) February 18, 2025!

 

Film

The Social Network is centered on Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg), a socially awkward Harvard student who comes up with the idea for Facebook. We follow his journey from a bitter breakup with his girlfriend (Rooney Mara), to the eventual legal battles that almost tore apart the company. As Zuckerberg moves from a small, passionate project into a global empire, the film shows how his relationships get increasingly strained. His friendships, especially with Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), fall apart as Zuckerberg’s drive for success turns more cutthroat and less empathetic.

What really sets The Social Network apart is its pacing (2-hours with credits). Fincher keeps the momentum intense, with every scene contributing to the story’s relentless forward push. Aaron Sorkin’s script is snappy, with rapid-fire dialogue that feels smart, almost dizzying at times. It’s not just about the facts; it’s about the human drama unfolding at lightning speed. The script cleverly captures the essence of tech culture and the quiet yet powerful way ambition can tear people apart.

Eisenberg’s portrayal of Zuckerberg is one of the highlights. He plays Zuckerberg as a brilliant but emotionally detached individual, someone who is constantly two steps ahead of everyone around him but completely unaware of the damage he’s causing to his relationships. It’s a portrayal that’s both riveting and a little unsettling. Jesse Eisenberg doesn’t just play the character; he embodies him, capturing the nuance and subtle cruelty of Zuckerberg’s personality.

Andrew Garfield, playing Eduardo Saverin, provides a much-needed emotional anchor to the story. His character is the opposite of Zuckerberg – warm, loyal, and, at times, vulnerable. His heartbreaking betrayal is the emotional core of the movie, and Garfield’s performance makes you feel the full weight of that loss. Justin Timberlake also shines in his role as Sean Parker, the charismatic, yet morally ambiguous, founder of Napster who takes advantage of the situation for his own gain. His presence adds an interesting layer to the narrative, as he represents the alluring, dangerous side of Silicon Valley culture.

Fincher’s direction is sharp, precise, and without unnecessary fluff. He uses visuals to tell a story about the cost of success and the fragile nature of trust. The film’s color palette is cold and muted, reinforcing the theme of disconnection and the emptiness that can come with being immersed in the digital world.

 

Video

NOTE: Stills are provided for promotional use only and are not from the 4K or HD Blu-rays

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 2160p

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Layers: BD-66

Clarity and Detail: The 4K UHD transfer brings a noticeable increase in sharpness compared to the Blu-ray version. Faces and textures, such as clothing and skin, show more detail. Since the film was shot in 2K, the difference isn’t as pronounced as it would be with a true 4K source. Still, it is an epic upgrade.

Depth: The image offers an enhanced sense of depth, thanks to the Dolby Vision HDR. The contrast between light and dark areas is stronger, giving the picture more dimensionality, especially in scenes with multiple light sources or shadows.

Black Levels: The deep blacks are one of the highlights of the UHD release. With the added HDR, shadows are richer, and dark scenes (such as those in the night club or during moments of isolation) now have more texture, enhancing the atmosphere.

Color: Colors are vivid and more saturated, with improved depth and accuracy. The warm tones that dominate the film’s palette (such as amber hues and cooler blues) are noticeably more nuanced, especially in scenes with darker lighting.

Flesh Tones: Flesh tones are natural and accurate, with better subtlety in the shading of skin. The improvements are most noticeable in close-up shots, where skin textures and lighting look more realistic.

Noise and Artifacts: The UHD transfer is clean, with minimal noise. The film’s digital source does not exhibit noticeable grain, and no digital artifacts appear in the image.

 

Audio

Audio Format(s): English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 compatible) (Unrated), English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (Unrated), English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (Theatrical), English Audio Descriptive Service (Theatrical), Czech/Cesky 5.1, French (Parisian) 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French (Quebecois) 5.1, German 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, Hungarian/Magyar 5.1, Italian 5.1, Polish/Polski 5.1 VO, Russian 5.1 Spanish (Castilian) 5.1, Spanish (Latin American) 5.1, Thai 5.1

Subtitles: English (Unrated), English SDH (Unrated), English (Theatrical), English SDH (Theatrical), Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Croatian/HRVATSKI, Czech/Cesky, Danish?Dansk, Dutch/Nederlands, Finnish/Suomi, French, German, Greek, Hungarian/Magyar, ICelandic/Islenska, Italian, Korean, Norwegian/Norsk, Polish/Polski, Portuguese (Brazilian), Portuguese, Romanian/Romana, Spanish (Castilian), Spanish (Latin American), Swedish/Svenska, Thai, Turkish/Turkce

Dynamics: The audio mix on this release is dynamic, with a wide range that goes from the subtle to the intense. The dialogue-driven scenes are crisp and clear, while the music (especially the electronic score by Reznor and Ross) and sound effects are given room to breathe and develop without being overwhelming.

Height: The Dolby Atmos mix introduces immersive height channels, bringing a greater sense of verticality to the soundstage. Subtle overhead effects, such as ambient sounds and the occasional music cue, add to the overall immersive feeling.

Low Frequency Extension: The subwoofer gets a good workout, especially during intense, bass-driven scenes or when the electronic score pulses through the soundscape. The bass is deep and impactful without ever being overpowering, making for an engaging and balanced audio experience.

Surround Sound: The surround channels are used effectively to create a fully realized sound environment. Background noises, such as crowds or ambient sounds, are placed around the listener, enhancing the feeling of space. The music also flows seamlessly through the channels, adding a rich, atmospheric layer to the experience.

Dialogue: Dialogue is crisp, clear, and well-prioritized in the mix. The voices are always intelligible, even during faster-paced, heavily scored moments. The film’s rapid-fire dialogue comes across with precision, making sure the audience can follow every line.

Extras

This special edition is housed in a sleek steelbook case and includes three discs in total, offering an in-depth look into the making of the film. The 4K disc has the theatrical trailer. The Blu-ray and the special features are contained on separate discs, which were previously released.

• Audio Commentary with David Fincher: Director David Fincher shares his insights on the making of the film.
• Audio Commentary with Aaron Sorkin and Cast: Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin and cast members (Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Josh Pence) discuss the film’s development and their performances.
• How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook?: A feature-length documentary on adapting Ben Mezrich’s book into a film, with interviews from cast and crew.
• David Fincher and Jeff Cronenweth on the Visuals: Director David Fincher and cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth dive into the film’s visual style, including camera work and lighting choices.
• Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter, and Ren Klyce on Post: Editors Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter, and sound designer Ren Klyce discuss their work during the post-production phase.
• Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and David Fincher on the Score: The creative team behind the film’s score—Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and David Fincher – discuss the process of composing the music.
• Ruby Skye VIP Room: Multi-Angle Scene Breakdown: Interactive feature allowing viewers to explore the multi-angle breakdown of the Ruby Skye VIP Room scene.
• In the Hall of the Mountain King: Reznor’s First Draft: An inside look at the initial draft of Trent Reznor’s score for the film.
• Swarmatron: A featurette that highlights the unique Swarmatron instrument used in the film’s score and its distinctive sound.

• Theatrical Trailers: The original theatrical trailers for the film. Three of them are on the 4K UHD Blu-ray.
• Digital Copy: A digital copy is included.

 

Summary

In the end, The Social Network isn’t just a biographical film about the rise of Facebook. It’s a sharp commentary on the human condition in the age of technology, exploring the personal cost of ambition, the sacrifices made for success, and the ugly truths that come to light when relationships are put to the test. It’s a film that stays with you long after the credits roll. The 4K UHD Blu-ray is demo-worthy all the way around, featuring stellar video, audio, and special features. You can own the 4K UHD Blu-ray in a steelbook  edition now!

 

The Social Network is released on 4K UHD Blu-ray February 18, 2025!

ORDER NOW!

 

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