Devotion – 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
In a year where we have two military aviation films featuring the charming Glen Powell, maybe Devotion would’ve fared better. Although comparisons between the two films shouldn’t be made (for obvious reasons), we’re still humans and will do so regardless. However, Devotion has something that Top Gun: Maverick doesn’t have: The real-life story about the first African-American naval aviator. This unknown page in American history makes for a different type of war film.
The impeccable Jonathan Majors drives this film. With a role as complex as Jesse Brown, his nuanced performance pulls you in and has you feeling invested in the character. At the same time, his chemistry and friendship with Glen Powell are palpable throughout. On top of all that, the aerial battles and sequences are carefully crafted with passion and polish. J.D. Dillard’s father was a pilot of the Blue Angels, so his knowledge and fondness for the skies run deep.
Unfortunately, Devotion does have its issues. Although the film should focus on Jesse Brown and Tom Hudner, the remaining VF-32 squadron is left on the bench with little to do. At the same time, none of the actors provide any personality to their characters to differentiate themselves from one another. Also, the film feels sanitized with the way it tells this story. None of the stakes are high, and you don’t feel any drama throughout. It’s an A-to-B kind of film.
Overall, Devotion is a sanitized true-story biopic with its heart in the right place. It’s proud to put Jesse Brown’s story at the forefront and tell his story to the general American public. Although it’s not the cinematic masterpiece that Top Gun: Maverick was, Devotion is still well-crafted and anchored by Jonathan Majors’ compelling performance. So, if you’re looking for more of a low-key aviation film, look no further than Devotion.
Movie Rating: 3/5 atoms
Video
Devotion hits Ultra HD Blu-ray with a Dolby Vision/HDR10 transfer and a 2.20:1 aspect ratio. There is no visible crushing or bloom in the picture, and the colors look (purposely) washed out to reflect the bleak visual language of war. At the same time, the colors aren’t always desaturated. The Dolby Vision lets the color palette pop when a scene calls for it, such as the colors of the costumes or various environments.
Since this film came from a 6K/8K source and finished on a 4K Digital Intermediate, Devotion looks great in Ultra HD. This video presentation emphasizes the incredible detail present to recreate this period. So, elements like costumes, production design, architecture, and visual effects come through clearly. Devotion differs from the type of film that will excite with its visual spectacle or vibrant palette. However, this Ultra HD presentation appears faithful to J.D. Dillard’s overall vision.
Video Rating: 4.5/5 atoms
Audio
Devotion hits Ultra HD Blu-ray with a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. For a film like Devotion, it feels like a missed opportunity to release it with a Dolby Atmos mix. Unfortunately, we don’t get one. Nevertheless, we get an engaging audio mix with excellent spacial dimension and directional effects. The audio track renders sound with precise directionality from the film’s various action sequences. The atmospheric effects are significant and distinct in the rear channels, and Chanda Dancy’s compelling score envelopes the room. The dialogue is spot-on and presented explicitly without ever being overpowered by the other audio elements.
Audio Rating: 4.5/5 atoms
Special Features
Devotion‘s Ultra HD Blu-ray disc has the following special features on it:
- The Aviation of a Forgotten War
- The Legacy of Jesse Brown
Features Assessment
The two bonus features in this release are your typical EPK featurettes that only go in-depth into the subjects we want to know more about—things like going more in-depth into the technical difficulties of filming the aerial sequences or the real-life friendship between Jesse and Tom. We get a taste of it in The Aviation of a Forgotten War, but we don’t see how the real planes used in the Korean war play into filming. Regardless, The Legacy of Jesse Brown is a nice feature that highlights the unique story of an unsung pioneer of the U.S. military.
Special Features Rating: 2/5 atoms
Overall, Devotion is a well-crafted and flawed biopic anchored by Jonathan Majors’ fantastic performance. The video presentation is excellent, and despite the addition of a Dolby Atmos mix, the DTS 5.1 audio track is still outstanding. Unfortunately, the bonus features could be much better in a film where they could mine a treasure trove of information.
Overall Rating: 4/5 atoms
Devotion is now available in stores on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.
This Blu-ray was reviewed using a retail/advance copy/unit provided by Paramount Home Entertainment.
