I Still Know What You Did Last Summer 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray version of "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" presents a significant improvement in video quality over its previous releases, particularly the original 2009 Blu-ray. Sony's work on this film showcases a major leap in how it can be appreciated in a home setting. With a new 2160p/Dolby Vision video presentation, the picture quality is notably grainy and filmic, mirroring the authentic texture of cinema. This grain maintains consistency across various lighting conditions, though it becomes slightly more pronounced in darker scenes. The upgrade brings out finer details in skin textures, clothing, and environmental nuances, offering an organically sharp image that far surpasses its Blu-ray counterpart. This transition to UHD not only enhances detail and texture but also significantly boosts the film’s aesthetic appeal.

Dolby Vision grading plays a critical role in this transformation, enhancing the film's color palette to offer a vivid and accurate representation that dramatically improves upon the previously available visuals. Black levels are deeper, whites are brighter, and skin tones are more natural, ensuring a balanced and stable coloration even in the dark thematic elements of the movie. This superior color handling, together with an absence of print flaws or encoding artifacts, elevates the viewing experience substantially.

Moreover, sourced from a brand-new remaster of the original 35mm camera negatives and approved by director Danny Cannon, the native 4K transfer breathes new life into the sequel. The tropical setting bursts with color due to Dolby Vision HDR, offering a contrast that underscores the narrative's tension between paradise and horror. Enhanced contrast, brilliant whites, and deep blacks add depth and dimension to the image, imbuing it with a cinematic quality that makes it a standout addition to any HDR collection. Overall, this release sets a high standard for catalog titles moving to Ultra HD Blu-ray, providing a visually stunning experience that both respects and revitalizes the original material.

The 25th-anniversary Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" boasts an exceptional audio presentation, primarily highlighted by its new Dolby Atmos track. This upgrade elevates the movie's auditory experience significantly, offering a more immersive, fuller, and dynamic soundscape. The Dolby Atmos track shines in its ability to create an engaging environment, particularly notable in scenes with complex soundscapes such as the early rave scene. Here, the balance of atmospheric sounds, dialogue, and music is handled expertly, drawing the listener into the movie's world. The action-horror elements greatly benefit from enhanced bass response and complete stage saturation, ensuring a visceral audio experience. Additionally, the use of surround back and overhead channels enriches the overall sound field, though they are not primarily used for discrete effects but rather to augment the film’s immersion and musical score. Dialogue remains clear and centered, maintaining focus amidst the expansive auditory space.

Further analysis of the Dolby Atmos soundtrack reveals its superiority over its DTS-HD MA predecessor, offering a reference-quality listening experience that adds depth to the film. The soundtrack executes a broad and expansive half-dome soundstage with meticulous channel balance and fidelity, ensuring an enveloping audio experience. The extensive mid-range, coupled with outstanding clarity in the upper frequencies, allows for precise vocal reproduction, even in scenes filled with cacophony. Although the low-end doesn't stand out as groundbreaking, it provides sufficient weight to enhance the movie's music and action sequences, contributing to a few memorable moments of auditory impact.

Overall, the audio enhancements present in this release notably improve the viewing experience, employing surrounds and height channels effectively for excellent directionality and seamless movement above the listener. The atmospherics of the island setting, including subtle environmental cues like trees swaying, thunder crashing, or rain pouring, are rendered with a realism that creates a satisfyingly hemispheric soundfield. While the movie itself might not be as celebrated as its predecessor, this Dolby Atmos soundtrack decidedly enriches the audio-visual experience, making it a notable addition to fans' collections.

Sony’s UHD release of "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" marks the film’s 25th Anniversary in notable fashion, mixing legacy content with fresh extras across a two-disc set. New to this edition is an insightful interview with Muse Watson, the menacing Fisherman, on the UHD disc, offering a deep dive into his experiences and the saga’s enduring legacy. Complementing this, director Danny Cannon provides a methodically paced, albeit somewhat lackluster, new audio commentary that might test some viewers’ patience with its monotone delivery. The accompanying Blu-ray disc repackages previously seen supplements, including a Making Of featurette, Jennifer Love Hewitt’s music video, and theatrical trailers, ensuring a complete experience for fans. A Movies Anywhere digital code sweetens the deal with digital access, all housed in a standard packaging with a non-embossed slipcover.

Extras included in this disc:

NEW Commentary with Director Danny Cannon: Director Danny Cannon discusses the movie in detail.

He Still Knows What You Did: An in-depth interview with Muse Watson about his role and experiences.

Making-of Featurette: Behind-the-scenes look at the movie's production.

Music Video: Jennifer Love Hewitt performs “How Do I Deal.”

Theatrical Trailer: Promotional trailer for the movie.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment revitalizes a quintessential horror sequel, "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," by presenting it on the Ultra HD Blu-ray platform, boasting a striking 2160p/Dolby Vision video upgrade that is a significant leap from its previous Blu-ray release in 2009. This long-awaited enhancement not only rectifies the past subpar presentation but sets a new standard for visual quality in the home cinema experience. Accompanied by a Dolby Atmos audio track, the film's auditory experience is equally impressive, enveloping viewers in every suspense-filled moment and heightening the atmospheric tension integral to the horror genre. This release also introduces a few new extras on the UHD disc, providing fans with additional content to explore.

The movie itself, directed by Danny Cannon, picks up seamlessly where its predecessor left off, with Julie James (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt) attempting to navigate her life after the traumatic events of the previous summer. The cast, including Freddie Prinze Jr., Brandy, and Mekhi Phifer, return to their roles with performances that help ground the film's more fantastical elements. The sequel successfully transports the terror to a Bahamian island, where a vacation turns nightmarish. While it may not surpass the original in terms of sheer suspense, the film stands out with its tropical setting juxtaposing the horror unfolding, supplemented by Vernon Layton’s cinematography which masterfully exploits the lush landscapes to enhance the film's eerie undertones.

The strong suit of "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" lies in its ability to maintain the essence of fear and suspense from its predecessor while introducing refreshing elements. The inclusion of Jack Black in an unexpectedly comical role and the dynamic atmospheric shifts cued by expert cinematography keep the audience engaged. This Ultra HD release by Sony not only presents the film in unprecedented visual and auditory quality but also serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of the series among horror enthusiasts. With this upgraded presentation, fans are treated to a supreme viewing experience that captivates with every chilling moment, ensuring that the film remains a notable entry in the horror sequel landscape.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" rejoins audiences with its suspense-filled narrative, albeit with mixed success. As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, this sequel finds a new home in the 4K UHD Blu-ray collection, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The technical upgrade is undeniably impressive; the film is presented in 2160p/Dolby Vision, significantly enhancing its visual appeal over the previously dated Blu-ray version. The addition of a Dolby Atmos track enriches the auditory experience, imbuing the film with a sense of atmospheric depth that was previously lacking. Meanwhile, the inclusion of two new extras on the UHD disc demonstrates a commendable effort to refresh the movie’s appeal for long-standing fans and newcomers alike.

Despite its technical enhancements, "I Still Know" struggles to emerge from the shadows of its predecessor, delivering a predictable plotline and failing to recapture the original's suspenseful essence. It operates within the confines of a generic slasher blueprint—minimal gore, lackluster storyline, and forgettable characters—that renders it one of the lesser entries in the Teen Slasher genre. Nonetheless, its financial success and nostalgic performances offer some redemption. The relocation of its horror elements to a tropical setting introduces an interesting twist, providing moments of genuine thrill and atmospheric tension amidst an otherwise mundane sequel.

In conclusion, while "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" may not dazzle with originality or scare tactics, its 4K UHD Blu-ray release represents a significant technical improvement that diehard fans and collectors of the franchise will appreciate. The stellar video quality and immersive Dolby Atmos sound are commendable achievements, breathing new life into this flawed but fondly remembered sequel. However, prospective buyers should temper their expectations regarding the film’s content and focus on the exceptional presentation quality and limited but exclusive supplementary materials. This release is recommended for enthusiasts looking to complete their collection, underscoring a celebration of the film's anniversary with technological flair.