Focus 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray video presentation of "Focus" stands out as an exemplary instance of how a 2K upscale can greatly benefit from modern encoding and high dynamic range advancements. Encoded on a dual-layered disc, the film maintains a smooth and consistent bit rate, often surpassing its 1080p predecessor. This results in a vivid 2160p/HDR10 transfer that enhances the slick and stylish cinematography typical of "Focus." Color reproduction is remarkably refined and accurate, with a slight warming in some scenes that enhances visual appeal without altering the film's aesthetic. The application of HDR and Dolby Vision accentuates the intricate textures and details, delivering a more tuned contrast and dynamic range that perfectly suits the sleek visuals associated with the film.

"Focus" uses its upscaling process to take full advantage of the Arri Alexa suite’s capabilities, ensuring an impressive capture of finite details, contrast, and sharpness. Despite being a 2K source upscale, the film is framed in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and projects a lush image rich with colors enabled by a wider color gamut. The HDR treatment enhances shadow detail and black levels, especially in intimate scenes, crafting a vivid display that emphasizes both grandeur in exotic locales and subtleties in close-up shots. The video’s encoded bitrate fluctuates between 70-80Mbps, sustaining image integrity on the 66GB disc.

Ultimately, this presentation significantly surpasses any streaming iteration, reaffirming its value as a notable visual upgrade for home media enthusiasts. While it might not be accessible fully to all setups, on capable systems, "Focus" offers a dazzling display, with visuals that stand as a testament to the forward strides in UHD technology and cinematic presentation.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Focus" employs a DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio mix, which mirrors the Blu-ray edition with a slightly reduced base volume level. Despite lacking a Dolby Atmos treatment, this track delivers a commendable audio experience. The front stage dominates the mix, with rich, clear dialogue emanating primarily from the center channel, ensuring vocal clarity. Particularly noteworthy is the race track sequence where the dynamic range excels; the LFE channel engages impressively as the high-pitched car engines zoom past, offering a palpable thump that adds depth and reality to the scene.

The DTS-HD 7.1 Master Audio track provides a robust auditory experience with effective use of both high and low frequencies. The mix adeptly balances score and dialogue, with appreciable bass levels energizing the soundstage. Ambient surround effects, although subtle, enhance the overall sound quality, immersing the listener without overpowering the primary audio elements. Despite being a Made-on-Demand (MOD) release by Warner Bros., which forgoes additional foreign dubs and subtitles—possibly due to cost considerations—the track still offers significant engagement for home theater setups. This tactical audio enhancement ensures that viewers remain satisfied, delivering a rewarding sonic narrative that aligns perfectly with the film’s visual prowess.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Focus" offers a modest yet intriguing set of extras that largely mirror those of the Blu-ray edition, providing an inside look at the film's production. "Masters of Misdirection: The Players in a Con" features Apollo Robbins, the technical advisor, who trained the cast in sleight-of-hand techniques. It offers engaging insights despite its brief runtime. Will Smith and Margot Robbie share their perspectives in individual featurettes, but both segments are short and lack depth, focusing instead on light-hearted remarks. The deleted scenes are somewhat expendable, offering minimal additional context, while the alternate opening illustrates an alternate storyline around a jewel heist, adding little to the final product.

Extras included in this disc:

• Masters of Misdirection: The Players in a Con: Overview of film's sleight-of-hand consultant.
• Will Smith: Gentleman Thief: Smith discusses his role and motivation.
• Margot Robbie: Stealing Hearts: Robbie shares her experience.
• Deleted Scenes: Four scenes offering negligible content.
• Alternate Opening: Unused opening sequence.

"Focus," released in 2015, has recently been added to Warner Bros.' expanding 4K catalog. While this UHD release does not bring new features or a more advanced interface, its visual enhancements over the Blu-ray version are noteworthy. Despite these technical improvements, opinions about the film remain divided. Will Smith’s comeback and Margot Robbie's rising star power likely played roles in its selection for the 4K upgrade. The film, originally met with mixed reviews, offers a slick yet uneven experience revisiting the world of con artistry with a touch of glamour.

Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, known for comedy hits like "Crazy, Stupid, Love," "Focus" attempts to straddle comedy and action-thriller genres with a $50 million budget. The narrative follows Nicky (Smith), a seasoned con artist, and Jess (Robbie), who adds intrigue and complexity to his schemes. Their chemistry is palpable, infusing the film with energy, though the plot struggles with predictability at times. Nevertheless, Robbie's performance complements Smith's onscreen charisma, preventing the movie from becoming a solo showcase for the actor.

"Focus" delivers a satisfactorily entertaining narrative that hinges on the dynamic interplay between its leads. Robbie’s appeal bolsters the film, offering more than just visual allure to a plot that occasionally falters in depth and originality. Smith remains compelling in his role, underscoring his enduring influence in Hollywood despite mixed reactions to some of his recent choices. "Focus," while not groundbreaking, reinforces its stars' capacities to captivate an audience, reaffirming the magnetic draw of a well-executed con caper.

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s Focus delivers a stylish heist comedy-drama, anchored by the compelling chemistry between Will Smith and Margot Robbie. While the film was divisive upon its 2015 release, criticized for its style-over-substance approach, its charm lies in the sleek execution and engaging performances. The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation offers notable visual enhancements over the standard Blu-ray, though its supplemental features remain sparse. Despite these limitations, fans of the genre may appreciate the dazzling visuals and immersive audio, providing an experience that is both visually appealing and entertaining.

Visually, the 2160p resolution offers a significant upgrade, delivering crisp detail and vibrant colors that enhance the film’s aesthetic allure. The sound design complements this, creating a dynamic audio environment that enhances the viewing experience. However, the package feels incomplete due to the lack of substantial new extras, which might leave collectors wanting. While it may not reach the heights of Smith's iconic roles in Men in Black or Independence Day, Focus still holds appeal for those interested in Hollywood escapism.

In conclusion, Focus on 4K UHD Blu-ray caters mostly to dedicated fans who prioritize technical enhancements over additional content. It stands as a visually superior edition that emphasizes stylish storytelling with solid performances. Although its narrative may not have lasting impact, the film's aesthetic and auditory elements offer a worthy experience for audiences seeking light and skillful entertainment.