Eternals 4K UHD Screenshots (Patreon)

Video

Although listed as a 4K digital source, Eternals doesn't look the part. It's disappointingly bland, lacking sharpness and the encode isn't impressive either. A light grain filter looks more akin to compression artifacts. That reduces/restricts fidelity. Menial texture appears fine, but not matching up to better 4K masters. Instead, the equivalent is the streaming feed.

Part of the issue might be the lackluster HDR too. Flattened cinematography only lets black levels fall so far into shadow. Highlights, while intense in places, lack potency. Magical spells should glow far brighter to sell their effect. Instead, things like street lights and LED billboards reach greater boldness.

Bland color limits things too. Primaries don't display much saturation, and the graded palette doesn't employ any real zest. Flesh tones look pale, as if the entire movie were stuck in overcast. A big Bollywood number filled with vivid costumes doesn't even pierce the haze.

Audio

Luckily, the Atmos track betters Disney's norms on this format. Three's plentiful range to go around as Deviants stomp about, doing fine work to create scale through the low-end. The Eternals own attacks hit forcefully too, whether it's beams searing the air, or punches. Arishem's voice produces a steady thump as he speaks. For the finale, a volcanic eruption proves monstrously powerful.

Mixing makes sure the full soundstage is involved. Motion is a constant. Action scenes travel the full width, surrounds precise, and stereos active. Heights find their moments to stand out, but seamlessly fit into the track. Ambiance runs high whether on modern city streets or in historical bars. There's constant activity making use of positional channels. Eternals rates as one of the better audio efforts on the format. Maybe Disney is listening to the community... maybe.