The Social Network - 4K UHD Blu-ray Limited Edition SteelBook

The fact that David Fincher's bio-drama The Social Network remains an exhilarating thrill ride fifteen years later speaks to the director's skills, molding what sounds like a dry, dull origin story about Facebook into a riveting tale of ambition, betrayal and loneliness. Based on the 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires, Aaron Sorkin's script adds an electrifying oomph to Fincher's camerawork, animating each sequence with rapid-fire dialogue that keeps even the legal depositions as engaging as the dorm room programming sequences. And Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg is arguably the most memorable of his career. It's hard to imagine anyone else playing a brilliant but socially awkward Harvard student who creates a social network while alienating those closest to him. But for me, what makes this a gripping drama is Fincher framing the birth of the world's largest social media platform as a revenge plot against an ex-girlfriend and a desperately pathetic cry for social acceptance.

Bringing his trademark style of precise framing and a meticulous eye for detail, Fincher and cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth imbue every scene with a dusky, amber-tinted palette to create a moody, almost claustrophobic atmosphere. The visual design perfectly complements the fervor of coding all night in a dorm room or the intensity of debating with supposedly close friends, generating a near-constant sense of unease and tension throughout. My personal favorite and particularly impressive sequence — one I use often in class for analysis — is the rowing race at Henley Royal Regatta. The tilt-shift techniques create a dreamy, miniaturized effect that superbly underscores the Winklevoss' distant relationship to Zuckerberg's success. Even simple conversations ooze tension as the camera subtly moves to heighten the situation and emotions. 

Paired with a ridiculously simple yet surprisingly compelling script by Sorkin, Fincher's skillful camerawork and Cronenweth's photography elevate The Social Network from an uninteresting, pedestrian true story to a fascinating, unexpectedly complex character study. (Movie Rating: 5/5)

For another take on the film, check out Matt's review of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray from the Columbia Classics box set HERE.

Vital Disc Stats: The Ultra HD Blu-ray
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment brings David Fincher's The Social Network to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray as a three-disc package with a Digital Copy code, granting users access to the movie in 4K Dolby Vision with Dolby Atmos audio. Housed inside an attractive SteelBook package, the dual-layered UHD66 disc sits on a panel opposite a pair of Blu-ray discs: first, a BD50 containing the film, and second, a BD25 with bonus material. At startup, viewers are taken directly to a menu screen with film clips, the usual selection along the bottom and music playing in the background.

Switching back and forth between this and the disc from the Columbia Classics box, I couldn't detect any discernible differences, so this is the same 4K Dolby Vision HDR presentation as its predecessor. I concur with Mr. Hartman's assessment:

"Shot digitally and finished on a 2K Digital Intermediate - The Social Network arrives with an upscaled 2160p Dolby Vision (and HDR10) transfer that offers some improvements over the 2011 Blu-ray. However, with the source limitations and the dark cinematography, this one doesn’t quite offer up as notable an A/B difference as the other films in the Columbia Classics Vol 2 collection.

"That isn’t to say that this Ultra HD transfer is unworthy of attention or praise. Details remain strong and clear. There’s some extra refinement in fine facial features and clothing textures. The opening credits with Mark traveling Harvard’s campus gave a little extra clarity in building details, bricks, leaves in the trees, and the students scurrying around campus. After the fallout of Facemash and Mark is in his class, wide shot details are cleaner. Again, not huge night and day improvements over the old disc, but enough so to check that particular box. 

"Dolby Vision HDR is the main highlight for this particular release. Given cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth’s stylized photography, the enhanced color spectrum, black levels, and whites HDR is where this disc shines. The film has a pronounced deep black with an amber yellow/brown color tone. My issue with the old 2011 disc was how flat it could look. With the cleaner details and the much improved black levels, image depth is greatly enhanced. Blacks achieve that deep inky consistency we want to see and the shadows have a more subtle gradience than the Blu-ray. Of primaries, yellow shades are dominant throughout the film and the various shades have a nice pop. Skin tones also have a much more natural and healthy appearance. Blues and reds only get a few moments to flourish but when they do they pop nicely." (Dolby Vision HDR Video Rating: 82/100)

Here's what Mr. Hartman had to say about the Dolby Atmos soundtrack:

"The biggest improvement The Social Network has to offer on 4K Ultra HD is with this new Atmos mix. The feeling of space and atmosphere is impressive. From the opening moments in the bar to the thumping house music of the clubs to the stifling claustrophobia of the deposition rooms, each location offers a unique auditory experience. Height channels don’t offer up a lot of pinpoint object placement effects but they’re well utilized for echo or crowd sounds to fill the soundscape. Surround channels are subtly active but the mix is never overly silent or too front/center.

"The big star of this mix is the excellent Trent Reznor Atticus Ross score. How it’s matrixed throughout the mix is just fantastic. The pulsing bass tones kick some nice LFE. Mark’s programming sequence for Facemash is an awesome blend of voice-over, clacking keyboards, and music. There aren’t any heavy action sequences or anything to make this mix overly showy but in terms of crafting an immersive experience, it’s pretty damn good." (Dolby Atmos Audio Rating: 96/100)

The same set of supplements is ported over for this standalone UHD edition.

4K UHD Disc

• Theatrical Trailers

Feature Film Blu-ray Disc

• Audio Commentary featuring David Fincher
• Audio Commentary featuring Aaron Sorkin with Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, and Josh Pence

Supplemental Blu-ray Disc

• How Did They Ever Make A Movie of Facebook
• Jeff Cronenweth and Favid Fincher on the Visuals
• Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter, and Ren Klyce on Post
• Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, and David Fincher on the Score
• In The Hall of the Mountain ing: Music Exploration
• Swarmatron
• Ruby Skye VIP Room: Multi-Angle Scene Breakdown

To reiterate Matt's thoughts from his review:

"[David Fincher's] The Social Network can be argued as a fan-favorite modern classic. A film of an era about an era before the world’s most famous social network became infamous. Now [as a standalone] 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray [SteelBook], The Social Network reenters the cultural zeitgeist at a turbulent time for the network. The transfer may not be the most spectacular but it offers some welcome improvements thanks to Dolby Vision HDR while the Atmos mix gives fans the biggest reason to upgrade. Highly Recommended."

All disc reviews at High-Def Digest are completed using the best consumer HD home theater products currently on the market. More about the gear used for this review.