World's End, The (4K UHD Review)

• Reviewed by: Tim Salmons
• Review Date: Feb 20, 2020
• Format: Blu-ray Disc
• 

Director

Edgar Wright

Release Date(s)

2013 (November 5, 2019)

Studio(s)

StudioCanal/Working Title/Focus Features (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment)

• Film/Program Grade: A+
• Video Grade: B+
• Audio Grade: A
• Extras Grade: A-

Review

The lasting impact of Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy continues to have repercussive effects on comedy. Starting before the Judd Apatow wave of films dominated pop culture and ending after their reign had waned, the Cornetto films struck a perfect balance between paying homage to the filmmakers and genres of the past, but also crafting characters and universes that resonated beyond their satiric and reverential confines. Equally effective as horror (Shaun of the Dead), action thriller (Hot Fuzz), and sci-fi drama (The World’s End), they are in a class all their own, spawning many imitators in their wake. But none have come close to their quality of writing, acting, filmmaking, and most importantly, repeat value.

The World’s End finds 40-year-old Gary King (Pegg) in contention with his childhood friends. Five of them once attempted an epic pub crawl known as the “Golden Mile” in their hometown of Newton Haven when they were teenagers. So Gary, feeling a sense of incompletion, seeks each of them out to finish what they started years before. Among them are Steven (Paddy Considine), Oliver (Martin Freeman), Peter (Eddie Marsan), and Andy (Nick Frost), all of whom have moved on with their lives. Andy hasn’t had a drink in years following an unspoken accident sometime ago, but Gary still convinces them to come along. As they work their way from pub to pub, however, they slowly realize that something is terribly off with the people they encounter. Eventually, they uncover a terrible secret, but attempt to finish the pub crawl anyway without arising the locals’ suspicion.

The World’s End was shot photochemically on 16mm and 35mm Kodak film using Arriflex, Zeiss Super Speed, Vario-Sonnar, and Panavision cameras with Canon and Angenieux lenses. It was finished as a 2K Digital Intermediate at the 2.35:1 aspect ratio, upsampled and graded for High Dynamic Range (HDR10 and HDR10+ options are also available). Again, Universal has utilized the same master as previous releases for this upgrade. As a result, there’s no significant improvement in detail here over the original Blu-ray, only a slight boost in textures and color. The HDR pass still breathes considerable life into the film’s bolder hues, particularly in the latter half of the film. The robots’ blue blood and the variety of colors in the club sequence pop off the screen with amazing clarity. The image is also clean and free of any major debris.

The audio is included in English DTS-X, with French, Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD options, as well as subtitles in English SDH, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese. The mix packs a punch, like its predecessor, though is a tad less active comparatively. Dialogue exchanges are furious but crisp and precise, even during more hectic moments. Score and sound effects pack a wallop, particularly when all of the robot and alien effects kick in. Low frequency activity starts at that point in particular, giving the soundtrack further dimension. This too is a solid surround experience.

This package also includes the previous Blu-ray release of the film, presented in 1080p, and the following extras are included on each disc:

DISC ONE (UHD)

• Audio Commentary with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg
• Audio Commentary with Edgar Wright and Bill Pope
• Audio Commentary with Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Paddy Considine

DISC TWO (BD)

• Opening Trailers for Machete Kills, Kick-Ass 2, R.I.P.D., 2 Guns, and Jobs
• Audio Commentary with Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg
• Audio Commentary with Edgar Wright and Bill Pope
• Audio Commentary with Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Paddy Considine
• U-Control: Storyboard Picture in Picture
• Deleted Scene (SD – 0:55)
• Out-Takes (SD – 10:44)
• Alternate Edits (SD – 4:32)
• Completing the Golden Mile – The Making of The World’s End (HD – 48:06)
• Director at Work Featurette (SD – 2:33)
• Pegg + Frost = Fried Gold Featurette (SD – 3:28)
• Friends Reunited Featurette (SD – 3:46)
• The Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy Featurette (SD – 5:13)
• Filling in the Blanks: The Stunts and FX of The World’s End (HD – 27:40)
• Animatic: Prologue (SD – 2:59)
• Animatic: The Catacombs (SD – 8:17)
• Hair and Make-Up Tests (HD – 4:07)
• Rehearsal Footage (HD – 6:20)
• Stunt Tapes: Bathroom Fight (SD – 3:23)
• Stunt Tapes: Twinbot Fight (SD – 1:53)
• Stunt Tapes: Beehive Fight (SD – 3:31)
• VFX Breakdown (HD – 8:39)
• Bits and Pieces (SD – 3:23)
• There’s Only One Gary King – Osymyso’s Inibri-8 Megamix (HD – 4:36)
• Signs & Omens Featurette (HD – 7:51)
• Edgar & Simon’s Flip Chart (SD – 13:08)
• Domestic Trailer (HD – 4:20)
• Newton Haven Trailer (HD – 0:56)
• The Man Who Would Be (Gary) King Trailer (HD – 1:59)
• TV Spot #1 (SD – 0:31)
• TV Spot #2 (SD – 0:31)
• TV Spot #3 (SD – 1:02)
• TV Safe Version (SD – 3:41)
• Production Photos Gallery (HD – 3:40)
• Animatronics & Prosthetics Gallery (HD – 3:00)
• Theatrical Posters Gallery (HD – 1:00)
• Concept Art Gallery (HD – 4:20)
• Hero Pub Signs Gallery (HD – 0:48)
• Trivia Track

As you can see, all of the great extras from previous releases of this film are present, including the fantastic audio commentaries, but there is nothing new. You also get a Digital Copy code on a paper insert.

As with the other two Cornetto films, Universal’s debut of the The World’s End in 4K is a modest upgrade only. But as a budget 4K release, it’s still a nice package with decent picture, strong audio, and quality extras. It’s definitely recommended for the price.

- Tim Salmons

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