Greenland came out two years before I got 4K. So the release of its sequel was my first chance to revisit the original in higher definition. The format does suit the family take on a disaster movie.
The Garrity family makes most of their journey the night of the Clarke comet impact. That night is lit up by fire and lights, so there are deep patches of 4K sky with action below. Sometimes comet fragments light up the sky too.
There is plenty of action, but what makes Greenland stand out is the human desperation. John (Gerard Butler) has to turn down families with children because he knows it would only be delaying their rejection by the military. A desperate couple kidnaps their son, leaving Allison (Morena Baccarin) on the most desperate section of the journey.
Surround sound keeps the disaster immersive. Riot violence sounds of glass breaking and shots fired ricochet behind and side to side. The comet shower and airplane descent into Greenland makes full use of the soundscape too.
There was only a one minute promo feature and five minutes of deleted scenes, but director Ric Roman Waugh and producer Basil Iwanyk’s commentary was during year 1 of COVID so it is a period piece. They do discuss the development and filmmaking as its director and producer, but the parallels between the film and the first year of the pandemic warranted analysis.