Gran Turismo is based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer (Archie Madekwe), a failed former racecar driver (David Harbour), and an idealistic motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom). Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Gran Turismo is an inspiring, thrilling, and action-packed story that proves that nothing is impossible when you’re fueled from within.

For in-depth thoughts on Gran Turismo, please see my colleague Liselotte Vanophem’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Gran Turismo offers a welcome uptick in quality over the already terrific accompanying Blu-Ray, making it a standout disc. When you are dealing with one of the most consistent studios in the 4K UHD game, you can count on them to knock it out of the park with a brand-new film. The HDR/Dolby Vision enhances the colors from gorgeous to dazzling at every turn. The expanded range of the color spectrum will stun you. The cars might be the obvious star of the show, yet there are some deep colors within the clothing, lighting, and foliage of the environments that radiate off the screen. Skin tones appear even more natural with healthy doses of crisp detail apparent on faces such as pores and facial hair. This finely delineated detail extends to textures such as hair and even the most distinct ridges of costumes.

The highlights in the film are more firmly defined with whites perfectly pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found. Elements taking place in shadow or darkness are more substantial and finely delineated. Black levels in this presentation stay deep and inky with great detail. This disc also makes improvements when it comes to digital noise, nearly eradicating any trace that you find on the Blu-Ray. This 4K UHD presentation truly delivers on all fronts including strong gains in detail, clarity, and color. The Blu-Ray is great, but Sony has shown why the format is so beloved on this latest 4K release.

Audio Quality

This 4K UHD Blu-Ray provides a Dolby Atmos track that turns up the dial on the exciting DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track on the accompanying Blu-Ray. From the first roar of an engine, you can tell you are in good hands. The film utilizes nearly all of the surround speakers consistently during both the relatively subdued moments and the numerous thrilling race sequences. The low-end effects from the subwoofer give moments big and small a noticeable boost with the room responding appropriately.

Dialogue is clear without ever getting lost in the music or sound effects. The film satisfies when it comes to needle drops and the score as these tunes fill the room in an enveloping manner. The score from Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski adds a lot of personality and emotion to the project. Atmospheric sound effects are rendered appropriately within the mix so that directionality is never an issue. The implementation of the height channels is a treat that makes the film feel much more three-dimensional and immersive. Whenever the helicopter is flying overhead, you will be ducking for cover. You could not ask for better from Sony as this film delivers everything you could ask from a blockbuster feature.

Special Features

The Plan – The True Story of Jann Mardenborough: A six-minute look at the real-life inspiration for the film, the process of adapting his story for the screen, what this underdog tale means for various audiences, the use of simulators in training, and more.

The Engine – Driving The Visuals: A five-minute featurette that focuses on the authenticity in bringing this story to life, the directing style of Neill Blomkamp, creating a visually interesting palette, and more.

Deleted Scenes: Five unused scenes totaling 12 minutes are provided here including some drama at the academy, more moments with Jann’s family, and more. There are some entertaining sequences here that fans might want to check out.

The Wheels – The Fast-Acting Cast: A six-minute look at the talented ensemble assembled for this film, what each performer brings to their roles, and more.

The Pit Crew – The Action & Stunts: A six-minute piece that takes a look at the intense racing sequences in the film including the practical driving, the stunt drivers, and more.

The Garage – The Amazing Automobiles: A five-minute look at the fleet of racecars brought to this film, the different categories of cars, and more.

Previews

Final Thoughts

Gran Turismo is one of the pleasant surprises of the year. When it was announced that they were making a game based on the video game property, skepticism was at an all-time high as we let out an exasperated moan at the creative bankruptcy of Hollywood. Little did we know that there was actually a compelling story to be told here – a new way of considering what constitutes a video game adaptation. Not only is the story inspiring and thrilling, but it also gives director Neill Blomkamp a chance to remind people of why he seemed so promising all those years ago. His choice to film so much of this practically is key, and he gathers a group of performers that nail the material. This is prime Hollywood filmmaking executed correctly. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring an amazing A/V presentation and a good assortment of special features. This is ready-made to be enjoyed by nearly any audience. Recommended

Gran Turismo will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray, and DVD on November 7, 2024. 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: Sony Pictures 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.