Signs 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 82
from 7 reviewers
Review Date:
Signs 4K UHD offers a significant visual upgrade with HDR10 and DTS-HD MA 5.1, enhancing Shyamalan's thoughtful, suspenseful thriller. Highly recommended.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
DTS-HD MA
Video: 90
Signs makes its Ultra HD Blu-ray debut with a 4K HDR10 remaster that significantly enhances visual detail and contrast, showcasing crisp detailing and a robust color palette, though occasionally hindered by minimal CGI. Despite some grain variations, the upgrade from the 2008 Blu-ray is dramatic, offering improved shadows and color saturation reflective of the film's artistic design, while maintaining English DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio for clear dialogue and impactful soundscapes.
Audio: 87
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Signs" boasts a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, maintaining the atmospheric sound design with clear dialogue and effective use of surround channels, though lacking an immersive Dolby Atmos or DTS:X mix. While the audio upgrade is subtle from the previous LPCM 5.1, the dynamic presence and integration of low-frequency effects enrich the experience.
Extra: 61
The "Signs" 4K UHD Blu-ray impresses with a first-rate LPCM 5.1 soundtrack, replicating the original theatrical mix with high technical sophistication for an engaging audio experience. Yet, it lacks on-disc supplements, merely repackaging legacy extras from a 2003 DVD, providing no modern additions.
Movie: 79
Signs is a masterful blend of suspense, human drama, and cinematic homage, where M. Night Shyamalan crafts a gripping narrative by leveraging minimal alien appearances for maximum tension. While criticized for plot conveniences and the aliens' water vulnerability, its clever storytelling, solid performances, and impactful sound design ensure it remains a noteworthy entry in Shyamalan's oeuvre.
Video: 90
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Signs" by Disney marks a significant visual upgrade from previous editions, offering a richly detailed 2160p transfer in the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This remaster, featuring an HEVC/H.265 encode with HDR10, breathes new life into the film’s cinematography, originally captured on 35mm film by Tak Fujimoto. The enhanced presentation significantly improves contrast and shadow details, highlighting the deep blacks and vibrant golden hues emblematic of the film’s late-summer aesthetic. While grain structure varies slightly, it generally enhances the cinematic texture, particularly in outdoor sequences where natural lighting adds depth and dimension. Across mixed reviews, there is consensus that the visual clarity and color saturation deliver a robust experience, although some CGI elements might appear slightly overstated due to increased resolution.
This release foregoes Dolby Vision but still manages to impress with its HDR10 enhancement. The limited availability of deeply immersive technologies like lossless audio is noticeable, yet the fidelity gains in audio are remarked as satisfactory. Details such as fabrics and close-ups reveal intricate textures not evident in the previous 2008 Blu-ray edition. The mix of daylight and night scenes maintains a potent cinematic atmosphere, with shadows and highlights finely balanced to reveal understated nuances in production design and facial details.
Overall, this edition of "Signs" may not fully embody a cinematic showcase with dynamic camerawork, yet it surpasses previous home video offerings by delivering substantial improvements in both visual accuracy and detail through advanced 4K technology. The upgrade, particularly for fans and collectors, is both appealing and essential, showcasing M. Night Shyamalan’s film with unprecedented clarity and fidelity.
Audio: 87
The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray of "Signs" offers an engaging yet subtle auditory experience, capitalizing on DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 to enhance its atmospheric allure. Transitioning from the previous LPCM 5.1 mix to this lossless format, the upgrade is marginal but commendable for retaining the film’s original soundscape integrity. Dialogue emerges cleanly and clearly, a testament to meticulous mixing, while ambient sounds like crickets and distant dogs effectively surround the audience. Though the mix lacks the immersive enchantment of a modern Dolby Atmos or DTS:X track, it uniquely thrives in maintaining a balance between eerie silence and startling, dynamic sound effects—a testament to M. Night Shyamalan's signature tension-building.
James Newton Howard's score emerges as a glorious highlight, infusing scenes with spacious and textural depth that complements the filmic theme of uncertainty and suspense. The sound design adeptly navigates between the vast outdoor soundscape and the confined claustrophobia of indoor sequences, deploying surround channels to sustain engagement in every setting. Much like Shyamalan's narrative, the audio shifts seamlessly, integrating low-frequency effects that enhance dramatic moments without overwhelming subtler auditory details.
Despite some reviewers' desire for a more immersive audio codec, the current track makes optimal use of its format to retain dramatic integrity throughout various key scenes. The blend of ambient noise and distinctive sound cues enriches the auditory layer, keeping it immersive without succumbing to redundancy. Optional language tracks and subtitles further augment accessibility, ensuring that this edition accommodates a broad audience spectrum. While an Atmos track could have added spatial resonance in certain scenes, the existing format preserves the audial essence of "Signs" with commendable precision.
Extras: 61
The 4K UHD release of "Signs" unfortunately features no new extras, relying on legacy material from the 2003 Vista Series DVD. The included 1080p Blu-ray disc offers a collection of standard definition materials, which, although dated, provide insightful production details. The "Making Signs" documentary offers a substantial 58-minute exploration into the film's production, albeit with dated video quality. The deleted scenes, while not presented in anamorphic format, add some context but might not warrant repeat viewing. The storyboard feature is commendable, allowing comparisons between the initial sketches and final scenes complemented by various audio tracks. "Night's First Alien Movie" is a charming look at Shyamalan's early creative ventures. No new content is a missed opportunity given the evolving careers of the cast and director over the past two decades.
Extras included in this disc:
- Deleted Scenes: Five scenes included in standard definition.
- Making Signs: A comprehensive making-of documentary divided into six parts.
- Storyboards: Multi-Angle Features: Compare storyboards with finished scenes and select various audio tracks.
- Night’s First Alien Movie: Shyamalan's early home movie, "Pictures."
Movie: 79
"Signs," a hallmark in M. Night Shyamalan's early career, ingeniously blends suspense with human drama to craft a thought-provoking alien invasion narrative. The film features Graham Hess, played by Mel Gibson, a former preacher who grapples with the complexities of faith and loss following his wife's tragic death. Set in rural Pennsylvania, the unfolding mystery begins with crop circles appearing on his farm, igniting speculation of extraterrestrial activity worldwide. Shyamalan, drawing inspiration from cinematic forebears like Spielberg and Hitchcock, adeptly employs psychological tension over overt spectacle. Heightened suspense derives from what is merely sensed rather than seen, expertly played out in scenes such as the eerily dark exploration of the basement and the television-reflected alien image that speaks volumes, all amplified by James Newton Howard’s profoundly evocative score.
Cinematic execution in "Signs" showcases Shyamalan's distinctive style, utilizing Tak Fujimoto’s striking cinematography and Dolby-rich sound design to build claustrophobic tension while foregrounding poignant themes of belief and familial endurance. The narrative posture asks the audience to discern between randomness and destiny—a hallmark device in Shyamalan's storytelling. Despite skepticism over coincidental plot elements and the much-debated 'water weakness' of the aliens, the film's emotional core remains compelling. Shyamalan skillfully bridges disparate tones: from stark horror to wry humor, particularly through the engaging performances of Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin as precociously insightful children. Gibson’s subdued yet deeply affected portrayal anchors the story, echoing Willis’ nuanced performances in earlier Shyamalan films.
While "Signs" may invite critique for narrative conveniences, its cohesive blend of tension, humor, and philosophical inquiry promotes an enriching viewing experience. Revisiting "Signs" reveals deeper contextual layers and reaffirms its standing in Shyamalan’s oeuvre as both a richly layered thriller and an exploration of existential doubt amidst extraordinary circumstances.
Total: 82
"Signs," M. Night Shyamalan's early provocative work, receives an impressive 4K UHD Blu-ray upgrade that enhances the cinematic experience dramatically. The 4K restoration offers a vivid visual upgrade, distinguished by a HDR10 transfer that outshines the previous 1080p edition. The DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track complements the eerie and suspenseful atmosphere that the film expertly cultivates. Despite the inclusion of previously available bonus features only, the overall package is significant for both new viewers and longtime admirers.
Structurally a small-scope alien invasion thriller, "Signs" balances moments of unsettling suspense with its thematic exploration of faith versus science. Although the pacing may appear languid by contemporary standards, its tension and narrative intricacies remain impactful. Featuring a stellar cast that elevates its intriguing premise, the film continues to enrapture audiences as it did over two decades ago. While there are no new additional features, the superior audio-visual quality alone makes this an optimal purchase, particularly during sale opportunities.
In conclusion, "Signs" stands as a testament to Shyamalan's nuanced storytelling and evolving cinematic style. The 4K release newly showcases its rich details and atmospheric depth, inviting a reevaluation of the film's place within his oeuvre. This release is undeniably a worthy acquisition for fans and genre aficionados eager for an upgraded viewing experience.
avforums review by Mark CostelloRead review here
Video: 90
Both releases have the same discs – a 4K UHD blu-ray which houses just the film and the previously released region-free 1080p blu-ray that houses the film and extras....
Audio: 90
There are a handful of shots where both detailing and grain appearance fluctuates, but with no obvious signs of digital manipulation, its like due to the analogue shooting source/conditions....
Extras: 40
Its not an overtly flashy soundtrack – skittering footsteps and alien clicks aside, its all about the seeping atmosphere and that Hitchcock-esque score – but it’s presented beautifully, the original theatrical...
Movie: 80
This Hitchcockian style is used brilliantly throughout the film to hide in plain sight some of the more fantastical elements and amp up the terror, the fear, the unknowability to almost unbearable levels...
Total: 80
Not quite ready for the director’s subtle blending of influences, tones and styles, with its complex and convoluted narrative there to support a thematic exploration of faith vs the cold hard facts of...
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 90
HDR adds some significant highlights in several of the blue tinged scenes, and there's at least marginal improvement in shadow definition in any number of dark scenes, including some of the late cellar...
Audio: 90
The sound design of Signs is considerably more labyrinthine, maybe even Byzantine, than The Sixth Sense, and as such surround activity is much more prevalent and noticeable than in the earlier film....
Extras: 50
The 1080 disc in this package repeats the supplements Marty covers in some detail in his review (I'm including the total time for Making 'Signs', while Marty's review breaks it down into its constituent...
Movie: 80
Signs is in some ways the most thoughtful of the three, less dependent upon tricks and/or twists for its meaning, but perhaps too reliant on what has often been Shyamalan's screenwriting stock in trade,...
Total: 80
Signs is often a surprisingly thoughtful entry from Shyamalan, a filmmaker who is often either rightly or wrongly accused of relying on subterfuge and trickery to obtain his desired goals....
The Digital Bits review by Bill HuntRead review here
Video: 95
Optically printed transitions and digital effects shots exhibit a bit of resolution loss, as one would expect, but grain is light-moderate and ever present....
Audio: 90
Additional mixes are available in English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and German 5.1 DTS-HD, Castilian Spanish and Italian 5.1 DTS, and Quebec French, Latin American Spanish, Japanese, Czech, and Polish...
Extras: 70
You also get two storyboard sequences, which let you switch back and forth between the storyboard art and the final scene, and give you the option to hear music-only audio, effects-only, or the final sound...
Movie: 75
Graham lives on a farm in rural Pennsylvania, raising his young son and daughter with the help of his younger brother, Merrill (Joaquin Phoenix), a washed-out, minor league baseball player....
Total: 83
And if you are a fan of Signs, you’ll be pleased to know that while the 4K disc offers just as few frills as the previous editions, the A/V quality is at least very good and a marked improvement over any...
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
We get to see all of the tiny production design details of the Hess farmhouse, and a lot of close-ups to examine facial features, costumes, and so forth all gaining significant ground over the old 2008...
Audio: 80
Between replaying the scenes where they chase the alien off the roof, or when Mel is in the cornfield alone at night, or when they’re all holding the baby monitor, I really strained to hear any kind of...
Extras: 60
Considering it’s been 22 years since the theatrical run, our cast and director are in very different places and a retrospective would have been a welcome addition....
Movie: 80
As a post-9/11 film, it deftly touches upon our collective obsession with news updates and the stress of trying to explain the unexplainable....
Total: 80
It might rest on a few too many conveniences, it might be a sign of some of the director’s worst tendencies to come, but with a terrific cast, a smart premise, and some expert-level suspense building,...
Home Theater Forum review by Todd ErwinRead review here
Video: 90
This is a nice improvement over the previous 1080p Blu-ray release from 2008 (included in this set), particularly in better contrast and deeper blacks, allowing for better shadow detail....
Audio: 90
As Matt Hough noted in his 2008 Blu-ray review, the track makes “excellent use of the LFE channel and plenty of ambient sounds to keep the surround channels active and interesting....
Extras: 60
Storyboards: Multi Angle Feature (480i): Offers two sequences which the viewer can flip back and forth between storyboards and the finished scene....
Movie: 80
Shyamalan takes a cue from directors before him, such as Steven Spielberg and Alfred Hitchcock, instilling fear in the audience by not showing us much of the aliens until the grand finale, scaring us by...
Total: 80
Signs is another early entertaining thriller from M. Night Shyamalan that now looks better than ever....
AVSForum review by Ralph PottsRead review here
Video: 90
In general, this Ultra HD offering improves upon the previous home video release, and, is worthy of consideration for inclusion in the collections of fans....
Audio: 92
Ambient, and, discrete sounds, can be heard emanating from multiple locations within the room to create the feeling of running through a cornfield, footsteps in the attic above, chirping crickets, barking...
Extras: 90
...
Movie: 80
is the gripping story of an ordinary family as they encounter the possibility that Earth is being invaded by creatures from another planet....
Total: 88
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Why So Blu? review by Adam Toroni-ByrneRead review here
Video: 100
Music and sound effects are loud and proud with dialogue sounding near perfect throughout....
Audio: 80
Extras: 60
Signs comes to 4K UHD Blu-ray bundled with a repress of the 2008 Blu-ray and digital code....
Movie: 80
The invasion of aliens is inevitable, and we just wait with bated breath because we know the moment will be a tense one....
Total: 90
With the ported bonus features along this is a great package for newcomers to the film and for fans alike!...
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Actors: Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin
PlotIn rural Pennsylvania, the quiet existence of a former Episcopal priest, Graham Hess, is disrupted when mysterious crop circles appear in his cornfields. Struggling with a crisis of faith after the death of his wife, Graham lives with his two children, asthmatic son Morgan and daughter Bo, who has a peculiar habit of leaving half-drunk glasses of water around the house. His younger brother Merrill, a failed minor-league baseball player, has moved in to help out. The strange formations in their crops initially seem like an elaborate hoax, but reports of similar occurrences around the world, along with other unexplained phenomena, suggest that something more ominous may be at play.
As local law enforcement and the media descend on their farm, the family begins to witness increasingly bizarre and frightening events. Animals behave erratically, electronic equipment fails, and an unsettling presence seems to lurk in their fields at night. Coping with the growing tension and his own internal struggles, the patriarch tries to maintain a semblance of normalcy for his children while grappling with the possibility that the phenomena could be related to extraterrestrial activity. Isolation and fear take hold as the family strives to understand the purpose behind the patterns and the increasingly hostile intrusions into their home, forcing them to confront their doubts and fears.
Writers: M. Night Shyamalan
Release Date: 02 Aug 2002
Runtime: 106 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English, Portuguese