The Social Network 4K UHD Screenshots (Patreon)

Video

From earlier in the digital era, Social Network doesn't seamlessly blend into 4K. While the softness in close doesn't impress (and fine detail appears smudgy at best), the wide campus shots look outright terrible. Poorly defined edges, lackluster resolution, and dreary detail provide nearly no gains over the Blu-ray. Upscaling doesn't offer any advantage, and only better compression makes a difference. Even the ringing remains.

This puts a lot on the Dolby Vision pass to do heavy lifting. In one sense, it's impressive in how the lights look appropriately enhanced. They're bright, and stick out from the deep shadows. However, there's nothing IN those shadows, and crush is a constant problem. The source footage simply never captured that data.

Utilizing a mundane color palette, Social Network uses the (then) popular orange/teal, restricting primaries and their intensity. Flesh tones might look okay, but most of the time, everything looks like a flesh tone. The cooler scenes flow in the opposite direction.

Audio

Bumped into Atmos, the design follows a similar path at the previous release. Atmosphere runs high, filling the soundstage with constant ambiance, whether in crowds or even the small flourishes like AC fans blowing into a room. School hallways reverb dialog, whether it's the focus of the scene or background chatter. As for Atmos effects, there's nothing happening.

Parties and clubs drive the low-end, dropping incredible power through the subwoofer. Range is brutal at its widest points, but also spectacular. About 80-minutes in, the club erupts, and the mix goes from average dialog to a club blaring monster bass. It's still a stellar home theater moment.