Physical Media – 2 Fast 2 Furious 4K Review

2 Fast 2 Furious is the second installment in the Fast and Furious franchise but this time Vin Diesel does not return as Dominic Toretto, however, the film features Paul Walker as its star and also introduces us to Tyrese Gibson’s character, Roman Pearce. 2 Fast 2 Furious brings the same level of entertainment as its predecessor, but with a different feel. Although lacking the presence of Vin Diesel, the film plants the seeds for a growing series that will continue to expand. This film is available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray as a two-disc physical media combo pack, with a Digital Copy code included, providing viewers access to the 4K HDR10 version and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 audio.

The film looks stunning with the 4K upgrade, with sharp definition and clarity that surpasses its Blu-ray predecessor. The film was originally shot on the traditional 35mm film and reportedly mastered to 4K digital intermediate, which gives the 2160p transfer a film-like quality that is both immersive and engaging. The first nighttime race against a pair of muscle cars and boy racers is particularly noteworthy, with rich, velvety shadows that add depth and atmosphere to the scene.

The HDR10 presentation also boasts a sumptuous and lavish array of colors, which is immediately apparent from the film’s opening race. Even at night, the cars glow and pop off the screen in hot, bubblegum pink, polished tiger orange, glossy purple, pearlescent chartreuse, and intense fiery reds, the primary colours are also richer and deeper. At the same time, flesh tones appear rosier and a bit more sunburnt, appropriate to the blistering tropical climate.

Visuals Review: 4.1/5

The DTS:X soundtrack is a decent upgrade from the Blu-ray’s already impressive 5.1 DTS-HD MA counterpart, with few noticeable modifications. The car races are especially immersive, with sounds that echo all around and above the listening area. However, some of the ambient effects can feel forced rather than natural, calling attention to themselves. Despite this, the sound field remains satisfying, and the mix is an excellent upgrade to the previous audio format.

The front-heavy presentation benefits from a broader soundstage with background activity that fluidly travels between the three channels and lightly bleeds into the top heights. The mid-range delivers excellent clarity even during the loudest moments, and the score and song selections reveal more warmth and fidelity. The low-end remains palpable enough to provide the grumbling engines and explosions with a hefty, bombastic weight, but it doesn’t show much improvement.

Sound Review: 3.8/5

2 Fast 2 Furious is a 4K Ultra HD physical media release that is a recommended addition to any Fast and Furious fan’s physical media UHD library. The film may not be the strongest entry in the franchise, but it’s still a fun and entertaining ride that lays the groundwork for future films and the franchise overall.

7/10