Studio: Paramount
Release Date: July 4, 2023
Rating: R
Film: 4.5/5
Plot Jim Carrey stars as Truman Burbank, a man whose life is a nonstop TV show. Truman doesn't realize that his quaint hometown is a giant studio set run by a visionary creator (Ed Harris), that folks living and working there are Hollywood actors, and that even his incessantly bubbly wife (Laura Linney) is a contract player. Gradually, Truman gets wise, and his response leaves viewers laughing, crying, and cheering like few films ever have.
My ThoughtsThis is a film I needed to watch alone because my wife has always found is boring, but I think she’s way off base here. I find the pacing to be perfect and the subject matter is even more pertinent today than when it was made 25 years ago. Those that choose to have their entire lives seen via social media or mindless shows such as “Keeping up with the Kardashians” (I’ve never actually have seen the show myself) and other “reality” shows.
In the case of Truman Burbank, he doesn’t know he’s in a TV show and it’s his discovery of his life that’s so much fun to watch. Carrey is simply fabulous in this role and showed his ability to handle deep and meaningful roles outside of his usual comic type-casting. The dialog is outstanding and the strong supporting cast that includes Harris and Linney, who do their usual bang-up job.
The film has been remastered by Paramount from the original 35mm negative and the results are outstanding. Colors pop off the screen and there’s plenty of detail within the 4K resolution. It looks as if a slight amount of DNR was engaged, but the film still has that classic filmatic look versus the clean digital productions of today. The studio includes a Dolby Vision encode along with the standard HDR10, but I wouldn’t say that the HDR treatment is ground-breaking.
I was surprised to see the film receives a new Atmos-encoded audio track given the genre, but the studio does a fabulous job of updating the mix for today’s audiences. It turns out the track is much more aggressive than I would expect it to be and the sound designer made great use of the added speakers providing a very lifelike experience with the climatic storm sequence being the highlight of the show.
Video 9.5/10
Audio 9.5/10 (Dolby Atmos)
Special Features: - How’s It Going to End? The making of The Truman Show – Two-Part Documentary
- Faux Finishing – The Visual Effects of The Truman Show
- Deleted Scenes
- Photo Gallery
- Theatrical Trailers
- TV Spots
- UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy
Conclusion I haven’t watched this film in its entirety for many years and seeing in in 4K was like watching it for the first time. The presentation on UHD is fabulous and the stellar audio is complimented by a near reference-quality Atmos track. If you’re a fan of the film, definitely pick this one up. Highly recommended.
Reference Review System: JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Kaleidescape Strato + Server
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
SVS SB3000
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner
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