Reference Quality! Alien: Romulus 4K UHD Review

[@LuniMW]

Waiting for physical media

[@johnnyice428]

The same here!

[@willmahoney2452]

Same here.

[@tdubb3254]

Yep it’ll be the best version

[@TravisHouze]

While I get it, the Kaleidescape is pretty damn close to the disc. And in some cases, allows more bit rate than a disc

[@erpatt]

@@TravisHouze Yea, there's a lot of titles on Kaleidescape where the size of the downloaded file is actually bigger than the file on 4K Blu-ray which then leads to better bit rates

[@stevea6054]

Watched it at a mid-tier theater and was still blown away by the audio! The sound swirled around 360 the entire time

[@imittal76]

Thanks Shane for this review, no one does movie audio video reviews better than Shane.

[@michaelclaros8624]

I have a Klipsch 5.1 home theater. I hope it sounds amazing

[@ulflarsson9693]

Thinking exactly the same about the sound in the beginning when i saw it on the premiere day here in sweden then. Very good movie and sound also then.😃🔈🔈👍

[@HamsterXFiles]

One of better Alien movies after Aliens, great music, sound design, and creature VFX. It borderline on setting the moods and tone, made the Alien actually terrifying again.

[@kovalveli]

Damn 10 for audio ! That's a surprise, since I felt like atmos on digital stream wasn't very good, too quiet imo. I'm glad to hear that lossless audio is much better. Cannot wait for 4K UHD disc. thanks for the review Shane.

[@jakubp8641]

Yes, it was not bad with Atmos activity but the rest was mediocre. Although it is a standard for lossy Atmos, I'm sure that it will be much better on disc. I'm worried about the PQ though, it looked more like 1080p. And differences between digital and disc PQ wise are not that huge as with audio.

[@therealshanelee]

The stream is around 10-12db quieter.

[@VooDooPriest999]

@@therealshaneleeso you also had to bump up the Volume on Kaleidescape, too? Or did you compare it to the Applestream?

[@hi-fiklubben6750]

@@therealshaneleeAnd why is that? I forgot? Is there a technical point to be made here? Shouldnt be right?

[@homecinemademo]

You could turn up the volume.

[@nickvail2210]

Shane - you are the best tech information - movie reviewer out there. Not gonna lie - I miss BRASS TAX for a second opinion and light hearted review. Never stop doing this.

[@MrGettemTV]

It sounded awesome in my Dolby Cinema auditorium. I couldn’t wait to experience it at home on 4K disc

[@HassaelMartinez]

There have been few movies that I have watched in IMAX 12-Channel sound, and it's the first were I really heard a discernible top speaker sound, on the scene where the xenomorph is crawling on a scaffold over the pregnant girl, you can hear it crawling on top of your head, it was awesome.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

Audio was amazing when I first saw it in IMAX. Can't wait to try it on 4k Blu-ray

[@dmarable79]

Hi! Question, given that smile 2 just released this weekend, have you ever reviewed Smile in 4K/Atmos? I think it might be a worthy review

[@cafiveohsrockbandremix9254]

When I saw this in my local theater's premium format (Brenden JBX), I thought to myself, "If Shane Lee doesn't give this audio mix a 10/10, I'm throwing in the towel on this home theater hobby!" You never disappoint with these reviews. My only question is if on the rare occasion you get the iTunes version of a movie, do you notice a difference between that and Kaleidescape?

[@Joolz1982]

Alien-Aliens-Alien: Rom-Alien 3- Alien: Res for me. Agree Dolby Atmos was very subtle in this.

[@redmist78]

Saw it in theaters. Still kind of on the fence of how I feel about it. I know it's out digitally but man I hate having to wait for my steelbook.

[@walasona]

I pre ordered the 4k UHD. Im dying to rewatch this, so i might rent the digtial version while i wait.

[@dalekslookgood]

just watched it on web streaming atmos version at home. had seen it at a good cinema too. even the web based atmos (DDP/EAC3 with atmos )_ is superb on this 'alien romulus'. I really love the movie itself and the soundscape at home is awesome. (My avr upmixes the DDP-Atmos to my 7.1.4 setup. When it comes out on 4k UHD-BD in my country ,I will defintely buy it on 4k physical disc with TrueHD-Atmos.

[@theonlyredspecial]

Looks and sounds great on statos v with lg 88” 8k Dolby vision. Thanks for the video interesting to see your tests as well as my own ears and eyes 👌🏻

[@newelementdesigns]

It's a shame we only get a couple movies like this per year. Referring to audio quality.

[@Foxhound11]

Uhd disc release is all the way in December, why so late

[@dan_hitchman007]

The studios keep trying to incentivize the lesser quality streaming platform. That way they can control what you see, when you see it, and at how much they will make you pay for it. You want discs available to compete in the marketplace.

[@ealanosborne]

Look at all those subs in the Atmos viewer! Waveforming, baby!

[@therealshanelee]

😁 Loving it

[@willworld3007]

I like the reference stamp nice upgrade Shane!! 😁👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ottomaticallyawesome]

Wait… no IMAX… 😭?

[@LeeLee-fi7mx]

Cool demo with the Atmos viewer. I wonder if there is a huge difference between the true Atmos soundtrack in terms of immersion and channels used between the Kaleidescape or 4k Blu Ray version of this movie compared to the streaming DD+ Atmos version on Amazon for instance. Would be cool to be able to see the difference in a side by side video using the atmos object viewer.

[@therealshanelee]

They're the same. Only difference is the output level and bitrate.

[@dan_hitchman007]

Lossless on KScape and lossless on disc are almost always exactly the same. The studio provides the same lossless audio files to the disc manufacturer and KScape.

[@r9800pro]

I watched the movie in a 4DX cinema here in Egypt and it was my very first 4DX experience ever. Great review as usual. I watched the digital version on iTunes though and the Atmos mix was very low in volume despite being a good mix overall but the low volume reminded me a lot of Disney Atmous. I now really hope the physical disc will have reference level audio.

[@dan_hitchman007]

If the KScape provided lossless track is good, the disc will be the same. If the KScape track is mediocre, the disc will be the same mediocrity. KScape doesn't get special mixes or Atmos encodes done just for them.

[@TheJustina102085]

I went against my better judgment and purchased on Amazon with digital credits… god it’s truly insane how bad Amazon prime audio is compared to any other streaming platform! That said, the movie was great. I’m a big alien fan and I thought they did an excellent job capturing the vibe of the original. I can’t wait to buy it on Blu-ray to get the proper audio experience to go with it though.

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks

[@kmdkmd-jz8pv]

I say the digital release and while it looks good it’s hdr presentation looks like sdr. I’ve seen the movie does not break 150 nits except one scene.

[@stekelly1980]

I watched in IMAX 12 channel sound first because of the 1.90:1 aspect ratio and then dolby cinema, I was impressed with both but thought the dolby cinema had more spacious audio whilst IMAX had more bass which my usual take between the two, it's a huge shame no expanded aspect ratio. Shane can you give me your honest opinion if you think your new theatre has better audio than dolby cinema? MLP I think surely can compete nowadays!

[@mikeh497]

Waiting for the 4k disc.Sick of the the Atmos dropout's on streaming.

[@peppersmith]

Wow, a "10"... AWEsome, can't wait to see this film....

[@protiliusproductions]

Disks are always better than the streaming.

[@ballstadt]

Loved the movie, great audio and video on the Kaleidescape last night.

[@Petric2016]

What????? 10 audio?????? 😮

[@Tidbitkid]

Preview shows an Ultra-HD 4K review only see a digital download 3840 × 2160 release being reviewed. Should probably not use a trademark logo for a product not reviewed ie disc only product.

[@therealshanelee]

Pay attention and read.

[@Tidbitkid]

@@therealshanelee I did and it's misleading still on the video preview.

[@ElDukeo]

Once again another home release without the imax ratio which the full film was actually shot in. Why is it only Christopher Nolan who can manage to get his films released intact and not butchered because the studio is to cheap to pay a licensing fee. Cheers disney

[@gungfuchuckify]

Bridgeport Connecticut thank you for helping people with home theater system 👍😎👍🇺🇸😎🇺🇸📽🎬📽🎬📽🎥🎬🎥🎬

[@mattnelson1366]

Played this yesterday, (k-scape), and while the audito was quite well done, the volume levels were quieter than other movies. I had to turn it up 4-5db louder than normal.

[@carlosaponte44]

Okay, so this wasn't just me. Loved the mix was a little weird it felt on the quiet side. Nothing too bad though. Loved it overall. Those heights were awesome!

[@gold333]

You have to see the latest regrade of Aliens. The foley is amazing. Absolutely amazing. It's factors better than this.

[@dan_hitchman007]

The new 4k Aliens release is a travesty of AI tinkering. It looks awful.

[@benrai123]

Can I use the Atmos visual online or I need to download a program for PC?

[@therealshanelee]

There's a segment in the video that addresses your question.

[@junior-OG]

you need a trinnov processor

[@jeshuruncarlos6649]

Great Review ! I saw a Clip of the Movie after it came out on Digital and instantly knew the visuals are Reference Quality, but didn't expect the audio to get a 10....

[@jonfreeman9682]

Wow a 10 for audio is crazy. In the cinema when I saw it the audio didn't sound that clear. Like it was a bit muffled and missing the higher frequency range.

[@jeshuruncarlos6649]

@@jonfreeman9682 I don't have it on Blu-Ray or Digital Yet, but Shane has much Credibility in this Space, so I take his Word for it....

[@JesterHammer]

How this guy can get his hands on new releases way before everyone else?

[@just_dont_cry_living169]

Kaleidescape copies drop at the same time as digital release dates

[@dan_hitchman007]

He is also basically advertising for KScape, so they probably gave him a "review" copy to download.

[@coyley72]

Woo hoo!! -Great- Best scores. I thought this film was great, can't wait for the 4K blu-ray.

[@hb-hr1nh]

Should look and sound great on my surround sound atmos system and LG Oled tv, can't wait!

[@wendellwendellb339]

Good review Shane! Gonna preorder now!

[@88detour]

Do we have our winner of the year? I don't recall Shane giving a 10 to any 4K releases at least for sound. I also think it's the first time reference quality has been used for a release this year..

[@TMERUNNR]

Super Nice!!! Looking forward to this one! Great Review 👍

[@jebo4jc]

Nice that the transfer is good quality. I havent seen it. I've heard it isn't a great movie.

[@AbsoluteFidelity]

The trailer itself sounded amazing!

[@SuperRiccoSuave]

This was a good Aliens movie, no woke BS, the best one since the originals, definitely well worth a watch.

[@thehal991]

The bass in my IMAX theatre was lower than usual, there was hardly any bass (unusual because it usually digs really deep) but I remember the Atmos and surround effects were really good, I was hoping for a decent disc release. - 10! 💪🏽😎

[@jonfreeman9682]

The bass was good in my cinema but I felt it was muffled like missing the higher frequency range. So guess it depends which cinema you go to. But it was still a great experience and worth it.

[@thehal991]

I can see my local IMAX from my bedroom window, that's how local it is, and it's a "real" IMAX. I've never had a problem with bass before in that one, as a matter of fact, I wish they'd turn it down sometimes, makes me nauseous... be careful what you wish for, huh?! 😂

[@jonfreeman9682]

Wow now that's local. 😂 When you pay for the IMAX experience you wanna get the full bass where the theater trembles and shakes. I tried the Furiosa IMAX 4D experience where your chair shakes with the action. Now that movie already had alot of bass with the road chase action but the chair 💺 makes you feel like a rag doll. That was just too much bass.

[@mikewright9547]

Was definitely fantastic on Kscape. Great review Shane.

[@luisd7636]

wow. a 10?

[@nonametofame]

I watched this through a kscape and Trinnov yesterday. I wouldn't give this a 10/10. I was thinking 9.9/10. Bass could've hit a little harder, lol.

[@therealshanelee]

You don't have waveforming setup do you. Such a shame 😢

[@nonametofame]

@therealshanelee 😆 🤣 . I have the 8 subs in place. Just too lazy to run new calibrations.

[@BossAtwork69]

So no IMAX format ???

[@railerswim]

Shame it’s not at 1.90:1 it was beautiful in IMAX

[@dan_hitchman007]

The DP framed the movie for the scope ratio and wanted it presented that way on home video. It was only opened to 1.90 at the behest of the studio. Often, DP's don't like working with IMAX. You can only frame and compose for ONE aspect ratio. Plus, IMAX is mostly about selling higher priced tickets.

[@Nytewolf718]

Seen at the Cinemark and have to say the sound was real good. Can't wait for the physical disc.

[@dfsdfdsfsd8524]

150nits reference quality lol

[@therealshanelee]

Because nits is the defining factor right.

[@dfsdfdsfsd8524]

@@therealshanelee hum you know that HDR10 and DV are part of the UHD BD spec right ?? how can something be reference with subpar HDR ??? please explain genuis.

[@therealshanelee]

@@dfsdfdsfsd8524 did I misspell my last comment? Or did you not understand it genius??

[@dan_hitchman007]

@@dfsdfdsfsd8524 They are a container. Nothing more. HDR also provides for a wider color gamut. It is up to the filmmakers (if still alive) to determine how bright the highlights are going to be presented. Some like a more muted approach to the cinematography and others like a punchier image.

[@dfsdfdsfsd8524]

@@therealshanelee your reviews are stupid and you clearly don't know what you're talking about. REFERENCE means that everything is top notch including HDR. Go educate yourself fool, this movie looks like SDR garbage

[@PIPERBOYWILLIAMS]

Views have been waiting for you to get back to reviews like this.

[@hand4letters851]

I’m Excited for this one! (R)

[@rindershow212]

Oh shoot!! You gave the audio a 10????😮. Now I have to get the 4k copy!!!

[@tylee5291]

A 10 for Audio??!! WHOA! When was the last time THAT happened? It wasn't on my radar, but after the review, I'm gonna reconsider!!

[@chinchinabook]

Don't know about the calibration at the Dolby Cinema you attended but the sound in my first viewing was perfect.

[@HomeCinemaEnthusiast]

Great Review i have this on pre order

[@Doughty7]

Good review. I watched it yesterday and had the same experience. Incredible!!

[@kennethlui2268]

Great. I need to watch out for the Blu-Ray disc .

[@dan_hitchman007]

Only the 4k disc will include the Dolby Atmos track.

[@victorjohnson8374]

This movie is amazing. I can’t wait to watch this at home.

[@LifeSized101]

Just what I needed to hear 🎉

[@jmgoodmanuk]

Thanks Shane. Day one purchase for sure. Best IMAX movie of the year for me. It was like watching a different film compared to seeing it in scope on my local Dolby screen. I hope they also release a Director's Cut in IMAX one day... That'd be incredible

[@birgerolovsson5203]

A movie I could't stand!! How could they destroy such a great "Movie-serie" like that?

[@rcordiner]

I watched it in 4k 5.1 and I had to turn things up 7db more than usual and it was still quiet.

[@therealshanelee]

We didn't watch the same version.

[@rcordiner]

Just finished my own edit that eliminates the Member Berries

[@Heyjuststfu]

Fede Alvarez wanted the IMAX cut to be released on home media but yet again Disney refuses to support the format. Won't give the fans what they want but will gladly push $50-$65 steelbooks on everyone. Screw Disney

[@dan_hitchman007]

The DP wanted the scope ratio as that was what he composed the shots for.

[@Heyjuststfu]

@@dan_hitchman007 “We're in discussions right now for the 4K & Blu-ray release. What I have asked is to release the IMAX version, so it’s full screen [with] no bars.” Straight from the director himself. But go on, tell us more about how the DP feels.

[@scannaunderscore1]

Shat movie no matter what quality

[@redx459]

No imax is pretty lame

[@Anakin-dl6eb]

@@redx459 Imax (and 16:9 to 21:9 format changes) is very annoying in home cinemas!!!

[@ElDukeo]

@@Anakin-dl6ebspoiler alert it’s shot entirely in 1.90.1 so no changes and let’s face it 99.9% of people watching this will be on 16/9 screen.

[@dan_hitchman007]

@@ElDukeo That was only to appease the studio... the DP composed the shots for 2.39:1 and wanted the home video presented as such.

[@ElDukeo]

@@dan_hitchman007 Fede Álvarez has said he was pushing for the imax framed version to be released on home video so I think I’d take his word over the dp’s.

[@cdshivers]

10 for audio!! 🎉🎉🎉 Nice! Sounds like you said it's demo worthy too? Also nice. Shane if you were to compare "Ready Player One" as a movie in it's entirety to be demo worthy, how would you compare Alien: Romulus?

[@therealshanelee]

They're two different types of demos and movies.

[@cdshivers]

@@therealshanelee I appreciate you replying... I guess maybe I should've asked, if you had to pick one over the other? 😅 Guess I'm trying to get your personal choice as a "demo" for an entire film between these two?

[@columcreaven8860]

❤👍🇮🇪

[@fahadmushtaq2826]

Hi there... i got Samsung HW-Q990D (Q-series 11.1.4 ch. Wireless Dolby ATMOS Soundbar + Rear Speakers w/ Q-Symphony). Can you please do a video for the best possible settings? further can you also give guide for how to update the HW-Q990D to latest firmware. Thanks...

[@chebrubin]

Why would Shane do that? He is using a state of the art RBH AMT tweeter speaker arrays with a Trinnov and 8 subwoofers.

[@fahadmushtaq2826]

​@@chebrubinI understand that not everyone has the same setup as he does. He did review and demonstrate the Samsung HW-Q990B a few years ago, so there might be new features in the updated version. Perhaps he could share his insights and suggestions.

[@matta9316]

I actually thought the stream audio was ass. Makes me want a k scape 😂

[@jin5667]

A must own. I noticed some of the recent disc release size wise are actually bigger than K’s. probably just being compressed differently. Still, able to watch content with high quality audio and video early on is a very strong value proposition.

[@therealshanelee]

I haven't noticed that. Which disc are you referring to?

[@jin5667]

@@therealshanelee If I remember correctly, I think Fall Guy is like 89 or 90 on the disc, the K version is like below 80. I have the Twister on its way, will compare when it arrives

[@therealshanelee]

@@jin5667 K is 86.9 for DV and 71 for HDR10. Disc is 82gb for DV. If you subtract french language it'll be down near 75gb. K doesn't include the French track on the DV version.

[@jin5667]

@@therealshanelee you probably right. Somehow I remembered the disc is in the high 80s, but yeah the K HDR was in the low 70, which sunk in my mind back then. yes, the DV version now is at 86. I think there is another recent one, I will check

[@jin5667]

Frozen empire is is the other one I remembered, but I don’t know how much is the sound tracks. Disc usually has more sound tracks.K is like 60g for HDR

[@prodigy-1983]

sad that the movie is a disaster. technically well done , but poor AI writing and netflix actors.

[@shannonharris6563]

Yo you’re Home Theater is fire.🔥 I gotta admit. 👍

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thought movie was good

[@kascnef]

No imax ratio

[@gingersmedia]

was saddened by this when the specs were announced a few weeks ago, was really looking forward to it especially because Fede said that he was pushing for it too

[@nightbreed141]

Are people still buying 4K Blueray discs still ? There are many legal ways to get a full 4K iso or remux nowadays !!!

[@therealshanelee]

I might regret asking this. But what are the LEGAL ways to get full iso and Remuxes? I’m positive there are none. But prove me wrong.

[@Parcalona]

I had such high hopes for this film, but I found it predictable and lazy! Such a shame.

[@jonfreeman9682]

Well alien movies all follow a general formula. Humans fight aliens and humans should win. Yes there's alot of Easter 🥚 callbacks but it's a nice homage to the franchise.

[@halomultiplayermoments]

This movie is really bad.

[@SuperCollectorClark]

Hated the film, Hated the sound, but will be buying the 4K✨

[@dan_hitchman007]

That makes sense. Um...

[@timaaaahhhh]

.....why though?

[@Bluboy30]

I'm not a fan of this one, I'd rank it as the second worst in the series just above Alien: Resurrection. But I saw it at my local Dolby Cinema and it sounded really good. Unfortunately, the top left height speakers in the theater were messed up, so there tons of cracking sounds coming from height channels. It's very annoying. I'll wait to buy the disc when it's like $10 so I can test it on my home theater.

[@masterazlan6999]

I dun wanna anythin' but THX certified system n movies n dats it..Cuz they r the best others just noobs like u..Peace!

[@deanwalker9605]

The callbacks ruined this movie for me

[@jonfreeman9682]

Yeah there's a lot. The "get away from her you bitch" coming from Andy seems out of place. That's not something Andy as a 🤖 would say.

[@willmahoney2452]

@@jonfreeman9682I don’t disagree but the set it up a bit with the one guy who kept calling Andy a bitch.

[@gingersmedia]

@@jonfreeman9682 I thought that was one of the best lines in the film. Its a great moment showing him defending Rain (doing whats best for Rain) and the line reading itself is perfectly fitting for his character.

[@kraigbailey]

Once in the theater was sufficient. I won't be watching it again as there's still only 2 good Alien films.

[@LordGiorgioCapital]

Grey Man, awesome movie but audio effects is shit...

[@robertrobitaille320]

Wow im amaze by the scores you give just can beleave it. To worse movie of the francise. Saw it twice in true Imax theater. Story, line actor, image Aliens is way better that this attemp to recreate à same look. Sound did not impress me. Still thank you for your video post.

[@chebrubin]

I had to turn the volume up? Mind you i am using a 23gb streaming rip.

[@dan_hitchman007]

You are probably getting a very subpar version of the audio track. KScape and 4k disc will have lossless Dolby Atmos.

[@chebrubin]

@dan_hitchman007 of course Dan. All these streaming products are 10 DB less Dolby Digital Plus. How is the HTP-1? That DTS X Pro patch coming?

[@dan_hitchman007]

@@chebrubin So far the HTP-1 is about as stable as any other pre-amp/processor, except for the perpetually buggy Emotiva products. I have no idea about the latest on DTS: X Pro at this time, but Dirac ART (the other upcoming HTP-1 update) has become a sticky issue for every manufacturer with a Dirac contract except, apparently, Storm Audio.

[@chebrubin]

@dan_hitchman007 i keep thinking the Marantz AV10 is what everyone wants. Or a McIntosh processor with the front 5 channels using Tubes pre outs. Emotiva 8k RMC could change the game.

[@dan_hitchman007]

@@chebrubin I would have gone with an AV10, but I got a good price on the HTP-1. I still have little confidence in Emotiva.

[@micriedl8960]

Movie blows, we've seen this set up once before. When cloned Ripley had her baby. Left feeling disappointed

[@MeLucky-KuNGPaO]

Take off the hat show us the balding

[@MeLucky-KuNGPaO]

Take off the hat show us the balding