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Watchmen: Chapter 2 4K Ultra HD Review — A Gripping Conclusion

REVIEW OVERVIEW

The Film
The Video (Overall)
HDR Effect
The Audio
The Supplements
Overall

SUMMARY

In a dystopian alternate 1985, a government sponsored masked vigilante is murdered, which alerts his outlawed colleagues to a possible conspiracy to kill all of them.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

This is the second installment of the animated adaptation of the classic graphic novel from DC Entertainment. Watchmen: Chapter II carries on from where part I left off and continues to play it close to the graphic novel and the Snyder film while adding in the Black Freighter subplot curiously missing from Snyder’s film. Anyone who has read the original source from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons or watched the film from Zack Snyder or even the motion comic, then you will already be familiar with this story. Set in an alternate reality where Richard Nixon is still President in 1985, the United States won the Vietnam War, and a law has been passed banning masked vigilantes, it begins with the mysterious death of a government contracted masked vigilante known as The Comedian. The unhinged vigilante Rorschach – called such because of the mask he wears – begins investigating and uncovers what he believes is a link to wipe out the old “masks.”

This second chapter encompasses some moments such as Rorschach in prison, Nite Owl and Silk Spectre II grow closer together, Dr. Manhattan further loses touch with his humanity as Ozymandias’ grand scheme to end the wars and create peace comes to its fruition.

As with Chapter I, the animation is still with no real changes in style from one chapter to the next. It evokes 2D-ish animation but has more depth, and evokes the graphic novel with a close adherence to the original style, which should please fans of the novels. The voice work from the likes of Adrienne Barbeau, Troy Baker, Matthew Rhys, and others is evocative and riveting.

Purchase Watchmen Chapter II (4K Ultra + Digital) on Amazon.com 

  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter II (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 (2024)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 4K Ultra HD (Warner Bros.)
  • Watchmen: Chapter 1 4K Ultra HD (Warner Bros.)

The Video

Watchmen: Chapter II comes to 4K Ultra HD in a 2.40:1 HEVC 2160p (4K UHD) HDR10 encodement just like the previous Chapter I release. It ha a MaxLL of 4000 nits and MaxFALL of 706 nits. The 3DCG animation continues to stun with both its brilliant clarity and vivid color. There is no noise or noticeable banding. The highlights have superb pop as well.

The Audio

Like Chapter I, Watchmen: Chapter II gets the same excellent English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that captures the moody ambiance, with lots of atmospherics in the surrounds and, when needed, solid effects panned into the surrounds and spread across the front. The dialogue is clear and free from clipping. The low end has just enough heftiness, especially in the film’s final big scenes.

The Supplements

There are three brief featurettes including an interview with Dave Gibbons and one exploring an adaptation of the final act.

  • Movies Anywhere Digital Code
  • Dave Gibbons and Watchmen: Endgame (1080p; 00:07:16)
  • The Art of Adaptation: Building to the Final Act (1080p; 00:10:05)
  • Designing Watchmen (1080p; 00:22:01)

The Final Assessment

Watchmen wraps up with an excellent Chapter II and I can only hope that Warner Bros. does an extended, uncut version like they did with The Long Halloween. The animation is eye-catching and the 4K visuals are stellar. Recommended.


Watchmen: Chapter 1 is out on 4K Ultra + Digital August 27, 2024 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

Purchase Watchmen Chapter 1 (4K Ultra + Digital) on Amazon.com


  • Rating Certificate: R (for bloody violence, sexuality, graphic nudity and some language.)
  • Studios & Distributors: DC Entertainment | Paramount Pictures | Warner Bros. Animation | Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
  • Director: Brandon Vietti
  • Written By: J. Michael Straczynski | Dave Gibbons
  • Run Time: 90 Mins.
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
  • Video Format: HEVC 2160p (4K UHD)
  • HDR Format: HDR10
  • HDR10 Metadata:
    • MaxLL: 4000 nits
    • MaxFALL: 706 nits
    • Max. Luminance: 4000 nits
    • Min. Luminance: 0.0050 nits
  • Primary Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
  • Secondary Audio: Spanish DD 5.1
  • Subtitles: English SDH | French | Spanish
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In a dystopian alternate 1985, a government sponsored masked vigilante is murdered, which alerts his outlawed colleagues to a possible conspiracy to kill all of them.Watchmen: Chapter 2 4K Ultra HD Review -- A Gripping Conclusion