Jonathan Majors (Creed III) and Glen Powell (Top Gun: Maverick) star in the epic and inspirational true story of two elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots who helped turn the tide in the most brutal battle in the Korean War: Jesse Brown, the first Black aviator in Navy history and his fellow fighter pilot and friend, Tom Hudner. Their heroic sacrifices and enduring friendship would ultimately make them the Navy’s most celebrated wingmen.
For in-depth thoughts on Devotion, please see my colleague Larry Fried’s review from its original theatrical release here.
Video Quality
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Devotion offers a tremendous display of quality that truly dazzles, but the exact level of improvement is difficult to judge given this release does not come with a Blu-Ray. The level of detail on display is amazing as you survey the subtle textures within the landscapes, production design and costumes. Skin tones are natural with crisp detail apparent on faces such as pores and facial hair. The Dolby Vision/HDR enriches the colors immensely when it comes to nuance and vibrancy. There are so many breathtaking moments throughout the film that will leave you mesmerized.
Elements in the film taking place at night or in shadows are impressive and finely delineated. The black levels are as deep and inky with great detail. Objects retain their form even in the most murky environments with ease. The highlights in the film are crisply defined with whites perfectly pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. This 4K UHD presentation really shows off on all fronts including strong showings in clarity and color. While there is no doubt the Blu-Ray is great, Paramount has delivered a top quality transfer with this disc.
Audio Quality
This disc comes equipped with a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio presentation which handles this material formidably, even if audio enthusiasts will be bummed by the lack of a Dolby Atmos track. You can tell from the beginning that the soundscape is going to deliver the raw power necessary for an action epic of this scale. The aerial sound effects and the drama on the ground provide a complex sound design that flows through all the speakers. Few things are as thrilling as hearing the aircrafts zoom by and around. Sounds are rendered with precise directionality from numerous thrilling sequences and dramatic interpersonal moments of dialogue.
Dialogue is presented perfectly clear without ever being overshadowed by any of the competing sonic elements. The rousing score envelopes the room with an immediacy befitting the narrative. Ambient details are plentiful and quite satisfying in the rear channels. The low end hits hard when it needs to and adds appreciable texture during more subdued moments. While an Atmos track would have elevated this one to higher heights, this is by no means a disappointment. There are optional English, English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles provided.
Special Features
- The Aviation Of A Forgotten War: An 11-minute behind-the-scenes look at the film including the use of real-life planes from the Korean war for a more authentic feeling, the journey from the book to getting the movie made, the direction of J.D. Dillard, finding an aerial aesthetic that differs from Top Gun and more.
- The Legacy of Jesse Brown: A 12-minute featurette which explores the real-life story of this incredible man with insights from the cast and crew.
Final Thoughts
Devotion had the unfortunate distinction of being overshadowed by another little aviation action-drama when it was released last year, but there is still a lot to love about this one. One of the biggest selling points of this narrative is that it is telling an incredible true story which adds a deeper level of poignancy to the events depicted on screen. There is also a major difference in that this film is set during the time of the Korean War, which shifts the tempo and tone of the battles in fascinating ways. While the great Glen Powell may have played a major role in both films, the presence of Jonathan Majors elevates any film he shows up in. Devotion can be a bit bloated for its own good, but when it is firing on all cylinders it is great filmmaking. Paramount Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a knockout A/V presentation and a couple of nifty supplemental features. This one is more than worthy of a look. Recommended
Devotion will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray and DVD on February 28, 2023. The film is currently available on Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Paramount Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.