4K Digital Review of TRON (1982)

 

Back in 1982, personal computers were not even a thought for the average household. Computer animation was not a thing. We were still years away from the internet. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was unknown to the masses. TRON debuted in theaters and it wasn't just a film ahead of its time, it was the start of a revolution. A film meant to push the boundaries of animation, has influenced just about everything that we know today. It has pioneered computer graphics in movies, pushed music and computer interfaces.

TRON focuses on Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), a brilliant programmer at ENCOM. Flynn's rival Edward Dillinger (David Warner), stole two of his best video game programs and used them to move up the ranks of ENCOM. Determined to find evidence that Dillinger stole his work, Flynn wants to hack into the company's Master Control Program (MCP). With the help of his ENCOM employee/friends Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) and Lora Baines (Cindy Morgan), Flynn gains access to ENCOM. While trying to hack into the system, the MCP uses a laser to transport Flynn into the virtual world of its system. Flynn discovers a world that only serves the MCP. Alan Bradley has created a security program he calls TRON who helps Flynn fight the MCP and hopefully return Flynn back to the human world.

Video:

The 4K streaming video is sourced from a brand-new restoration and remaster from the film's original negatives. TRON has never looked better. The video is extremely crisp and sharp. The glow of the red and blue hues in the digital world are impressive.  Blacks are inky and silky. Facial expressions are clean and accurate. A showcase quality restoration from the amazing team at Disney.

Audio:

The streaming Dolby Atmos soundtrack is superb to match the restored video quality. While mostly front channel heavy for most of the movie, the surround channels come in during the digital world. The sound field is enveloping and immersive especially during the games and the final act. Vocals are crystal clear throughout the movie. Another wonderful audio track from Disney.

Bonus Features:

• The TRON Phenomenon (HD – 9:45)
• Photo TRONology (HD – 16:37)
• Original DVD Features
• Development
  • “Computers Are People Too” (SD – 4:28)
• Digital Imagery
  • Digital Imagery in TRON (SD – 3:44)
  • “Beyond TRON” (SD – 4:00)
• The Making of TRON (SD – 88:21)
• Publicity
• Trailer #4 (SD – 1:34)

Conclusion:

TRON has never looked and sounded better. Reference-quality video and a very engaging soundtrack brings this 1982 movie to renewed life. Some good supplements that have been out before. This is a highly recommended addition to your movie library.

TRON is available on digital, Blu-ray and 4K UHD now. 

*The movie was supplied by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.*

4K Digital Review of Pixar's Elio

 

Elio tells the story of a young boy named Elio (Yonas Kilbreab) who recently just lost both of his parents. Living with his aunt Olga (Zoe Saldana), Elio suffers from loneliness and low self-esteem. Olga is a major in the US Space Force and has no time to be with Elio. She is struggling on how to be a parent and Elio sees this as just another sign that no one wants him. 

Elio overhears that the US Space Force may have come in contact with extraterrestrials, he sends a message to them in hopes they will take him away from Earth. The aliens respond and end up taking him away. These aliens are part of a group of ambassadors of every species of being throughout the universe. They believe that Elio is the leader of Earth and will allow him to join the ambassadors if he can pass some screening tests. This is all Elio has ever wanted to do in life, to belong, to have a purpose. 

The only thing in his way is Lord Grigon (Brad Garrett), a warlord who wants to also become an ambassador for this people. But he is a blood thirsty, war obsessed being that the other ambassadors see and do not allow him to join their group. Lord Grigon is out for revenge and Elio is the only one who can try to stop him. 

Video:

This is an outstanding 4K streaming video transfer. The colors are rich and bright. The space scenes and the ship the ambassadors are on are real standouts here. The details are crisp and sharp. Another wonderful transfer from Disney and Pixar.

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is a winner. Dialogue is crystal clear and the soundtrack immerses you. The surround channels get a good workout from the sounds of spaceships, the fight with Lord Grigon and the welcome to the ambassadors. A solid effort from Disney and Pixar.

Bonus Features:

• Inside the Communiverse: The World and Characters of Elio – Launch behind the scenes with the cast and crew to get an in-depth look at the design and development of our meteoric main characters, as well as the making of all the celestial environments that make up Elio's universe.
• Out of This World: An Astro Q&A – Calling all space enthusiasts! Voice actors Yonas Kibreab (Elio) and Remy Edgerly (Glordon) meet with a real-life astronaut to discuss space travel, possible alien life on other planets, and why it's important to study space.
• Astronomic Art Class: Ooooo and Glordon – Join Nicolle Castro, the lead story artist, as she shares her role on the film and guides viewers through drawing a couple of the film's interstellar characters, Ooooo and Glordon.
• Extraterrestrial Easter Eggs and Fun Facts – Uncover the references and characters from some of your favorite Pixar films hidden throughout Elio, along with other fun facts.
• Galactic Gag Reel – Discover the fun inside the recording booth with the starry voice actors from Disney and Pixar's Elio as they bring their characters to life with some entertaining laughs.
• Deleted Scenes – Check out the scenes that didn't make the final cut:
• Bike Chase
• Garden Party  
• Carver Legend
• Questa's Second Test
• Home Visit

Conclusion:

Elio is a slow burn that sticks the landing for any of us who have felt like we do not belong. A powerfully emotional movie that reminds us that even in the darkest of times we are never alone. And a reminder to embrace what makes us truly unique. Completely unexpected and left me emotionally wrecked. A solid video transfer along with a wonderful audio mix and some fun bonus features makes this a welcomed addition to your library.

Elio is available on digital, 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD.

*The film was provided by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.*

4K Digital Review of Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

 

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a near perfect film and is on digital, 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray for the first time. 

In the year 1805, Napoleon has conquered all of Europe with the exception of England. All that stands between him and invading England is the Royal British Navy. Captain "Lucky Jack" Aubrey (Russell Crowe), commands the HMS Surprise, a 28-gun frigate, with orders to stop the French 44-gun privateer Acheron. 

Intended to be a trilogy, Master and Commander was based loosely off the acclaimed novels by Patrick O-Brian. While the movie was critically acclaimed and received no less than 10 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, the box office return was only modest at best. Plus, the film was largely overshadowed by several films including Elf and the epic Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 

But Master and Commander is a masterclass in world-building. Think James Cameron and Titanic when it comes to attention to detail. You will feel like the 19th Century has come back to life. Much of the movie was shot on a real frigate out on sea. The HMS Rose is still in San Diego and you can still take a tour of this ship. They even built a second full size replica to film at the Fox Baja Studios. Even the actors portraying the ships crew were trained in their sailing responsibilities. 

The heart and soul of this movie is the friendship between Aubrey and Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), the ship's doctor and naturalist. While these two men are complete opposites, they share a bond and respect for one another that cannot be broken.    

Video:

The film has been remastered into 4K from the original negatives and the results are stunning. There is so much fine detail to take from fabrics, to skin tones, to hair, to rope and sails. All the colors feel earthy and natural. Just a beautiful remastering job. 

Audio:

The audio is now in a Dolby Atmos mix that must be heard to be believed. The level of immersion is quite remarkable. From exterior shots where you can hear the men yelling at one another from the rigging above you. The interior shots where you can hear the men running on the decks above you. The quiet moments where you can hear the creaking of the ship to the waves hitting the ship's hull. In the battle sequences you can hear the cannon balls shoot past you, the timbers shattering around you and the clanging of swords everywhere.  

Bonus Features:

• The Hundred Days (SD – 68:38)
• In the Wake of O’Brian (SD – 19:24)
• Cinematic Phasmids (SD – 30:02)
• On Sound Design (SD – 17:47)
• Interactive Canon Demonstration (Audio Feature)
• HBO First Look (SD – 25:02)
• Historical and Graphic Trivia Track
• Deleted Scenes (SD – 6 scenes – 24:20 in all)
  • Weighing Anchor (SD – 4:16)
  • Shipboard Life (SD – 9:50)
  • Superstition (SD – 3:20)
  • Dentistry (SD – 1:08)
  • Articles of War (SD – 2:43)
  • Galapagos (SD – 3:00)
• Multi-Camera Shooting (SD – 6 angles – 2:42)
  • Surprising the Surprise
    • 4 Camera Setup (SD – 6 angles – 2:42)
  • The Final Battle
    • 4 Camera Setup (SD – 6 angles – 5:19)
    • 3 Camera Setup (SD – 5 angles – 2:08)
    • 2 Camera Setup (SD – 4 angles – 1:59)
  • Split-Screen Vignette (SD – 4:30)
• Trailers
  • Theatrical Teaser (SD – 1:19)
  • Theatrical Trailer (SD - 2:43)
  • International Trailer (SD – 1:02)

Conclusion:

A perfect film filled with an unbreakable friendship, historical authenticity, and an amazing naval adventure. Solid video and immersive audio along with great bonus features will make Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World a welcomed addition to your film library.

*The movie was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the this review. The review I strictly my own opinion.*

4K Digital Review of Lilo & Sitch (2025)

 

One of my favorite Disney animated films has been given the live-action treatment. Director Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) gives us a more character driven take on the animated classic. It is more grounded and utilizes Hawaiian culture as part of the heart and soul of the movie and not just a cultural backdrop. The bond between Lilo and Nani is where this movie shines. 

Lilo (Maia Kealoha) is a misunderstood little girl who is imaginative and feels like she doesn't fit in. Her sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) is a high school student struggling to raise her sister while grieving over the loss of their parents. She is also trying to finish high school and work to make ends meet. The supporting characters bring warmth while not taking anything away from the heart of the story. Amy Hill's Tutu is the perfect caring auntie. David (Kaipo Dudoit) gives Nani quiet support and encouragement. Tia Carrere as the social worker provides caring and understanding. Changes to the story and to the characters from the animated version do not take away from the originals fun and chaos but also bring in dealing with grief and displacement.

Stitch, voiced once again by Chris Sanders, is still the same ball of chaotic energy with a lot of heart as well. Here he complicates matters rather than fixing them. When he begins to change, it feels genuine and not just a plot point.  

In the end, Lilo & Stitch is more than just action sequences and laughs. It is about ohana, who is your family and who is there for you. It is about the connections of family, friends, culture and what it means to love and fight through adversity.

Video:

While not flawless, the 4K streaming video is beautiful. The blending of CGI and live-action is mostly seamless. The high resolution of the 4K does seem more obvious that there are both CGI and live-action elements. Other than that, the physical sets and clothing offer high amounts of detail to take in. The physical locations, such as the beach, offer such fine details as the grains of the sand. And as we have come to expect from Disney, the color palette is outstanding. Another fine transfer from Disney.

Audio:

The Dolby Atmos track here is wonderful. It is full of moments of complete immersion such as the opening escape sequence and the surfing sequence. Such great use of all of the channels. Dialogue is crystal clear. The sounds of Stitch scurrying about sounds great from the rear channels. The Hawaiian ambient music and the environment sounds in the outdoor scenes are so vibrant in the rear channels. Another great track from Disney.

Bonus Features:

• Deleted Scenes:
• Nani Cleans Up
• My Name is Nani 
• ‘Ohana Means Family: Making Lilo & Stitch – Learn how an animated classic becomes an instant live-action favorite. Explore the challenges of bringing Stitch into the real world, how the familiar images of the original were recreated, and join returning cast members on a set that embodies ‘ohana.
• Drawn to Life – Check out scenes from the animated original film alongside their live-action counterparts to see how these beloved key moments were faithfully recreated. And uncover some easter eggs along the way!
• Bloopers – Take a look at some of the fun mishaps on set with the cast and crew of Lilo & Stitch.
• Scenes with Stitch – Hear Stitch talk about some of his favorite scenes as he watches the movie play.
• Escape To Earth
• Feeding Fish
• Hula Performance
• Stitch Gets Named
• Bath Time
• Watch This 

Conclusion:

Lilo & Stitch is a welcomed addition to your library with expanding the story and making it a true Lilo and Nani story. Light but enjoyable supplements and fine audio and video round off this digital release.

Lilo & Stitch is now available on digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD.

*The movie was sent by Walt Disney Home Entertainment for the purpose of this review. The review is strictly my own opinion.*