Ghost Blu-ray Review

The newly remastered 1080p Blu-ray presentation of "Ghost" is sourced from a 4K restoration supervised by Director Jerry Zucker, delivering a substantial improvement over the 2008 version. The film’s grain structure has been preserved, enhancing its film-like texture, while background textures and finer details, such as nuances in street scenes and interior settings, are markedly improved. Color tonality and black levels have seen noteworthy enhancements—skin tones remain natural and healthy, colors are bold with a notable pop in fabrics and upholstery, and blues and reds particularly stand out. Primaries are strong without appearing overly saturated, maintaining an appropriate balance that enriches the viewing experience.

The transfer's visual clarity and sharpness have also been elevated, offering well-defined color palettes where whites appear crisper and blacks deeper. Paramount has meticulously managed the grain, ensuring it is uniform and finely tuned across the board. The presentation is virtually free from any noticeable compression artifacts or age-related issues, maintaining an overall clean and vibrant appearance. Optical effects inherent to the source exhibit minimal softness, preserving their intended cinematic feel.

The technical specifications detail a robust MPEG-4 AVC encoding at 1080p resolution with an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 on a BD-50 layer. The film’s depth of field is particularly impressive with clear spacing, even when ghost effects come into play. Motion is handled naturally without any issues of jitter or blur. While a UHD release would have been ideal for further enhancements, this Blu-ray stands as a definitive offering, presenting "Ghost" with heightened clarity, improved color timing, and refined grain structure that ensures a visually engaging and filmic experience for viewers.

Paramount's new release of Ghost repurposes the original disc's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. While this track maintains its legacy characteristics, it lacks the punch and innovation contemporary audiences might expect. The mix is heavily front-loaded, with the three main speakers carrying the majority of the audio weight. Subwoofer activity is limited but noticeable during specific moments like the subway scenes and the film’s climax. Surround activity is moderate; ambient noises such as bustling New York City streets and office chatter are dispersed throughout, but they don't create a truly immersive environment.

Dialogue is consistently clear, albeit somewhat flat at times, reflecting its 1990 production roots. Composer Maurice Jarre’s score is smooth but sometimes understated, with musical elements supported by light atmospheric touches. The iconic "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers stands out, filling the scene with rich sound. Despite lacking dynamic object placement akin to modern Atmos systems, the surround mix does engage adequately when Sam's ghost moves through spaces, lending a palpable presence to these moments.

The audio presentation includes multiple formats: English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, English Audio Description, German 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, and Japanese 2.0 Dolby Digital. Subtitles are offered in English, English SDH, German, French, and Japanese. Additionally, secondary audio options are available in French, German, and Japanese, alongside a Descriptive English Audio track. While the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix is serviceable and dialogue reproduction remains prominent and intelligible, overall dynamics feel dated and could benefit from increased impact and more robust low-frequency extension.

The Blu-ray release of "Ghost," part of Paramount’s “Paramount Presents” series, includes a mix of new and ported-over extras that should appeal to fans. The new "Filmmaker Focus: Jerry Zucker on Ghost" featurette provides succinct yet valuable insights into the director's perspective on the script, character dynamics, and visual effects. However, some previous features like "Inside the Paranormal" and "Cinema's Great Romances" are missing, making this package less definitive for completists. The physical packaging is notable with a clear BD case, an extra-thick slipcover revealing the original poster art, and additional stills and artwork inside. Overall, despite the loss of certain features, this release offers a solid array of extras that enrich the viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW Director Jerry Zucker on Ghost: A brief reflection on directing "Ghost."
• Ghost Stories: The Making of a Classic: Archival making-of featurette with cast and crew interviews.
• Alchemy of a Love Scene: Exploration of the film's iconic pottery wheel scene.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original trailer in HD.
• Audio Commentary: Insights by director Jerry Zucker and writer Bruce Joel Rubin.

In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Paramount has re-released the 1990 supernatural romance film 'Ghost' in a newly remastered Blu-ray format. Directed by Jerry Zucker, this genre-defying classic stars Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, with Whoopi Goldberg in a supporting role that won her an Academy Award. The film smartly intertwines elements of romance, thriller, comedy, and the supernatural into a unique narrative. Polished performances by Swayze and Moore fuel the film’s enduring chemistry, making their on-screen love story emblematic through scenes like the unforgettable pottery wheel moment set to the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody." Even with minor visible traces of 1990s optical effects, ‘Ghost’ remains compelling and poignantly heartfelt.

The storyline follows banker Sam Wheat (Swayze) and artist Molly Jensen (Moore), whose lives are shattered when Sam is murdered and becomes a spirit caught between worlds. His quest to protect Molly from remaining danger propels him towards Oda Mae Brown (Goldberg), a supposed con artist psychic who turns out to be his conduit to the mortal realm. The screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin expertly maneuvers between emotional depth and tension, displaying Zucker's versatility in juggling romance with genuine suspense. The film’s balanced use of humor (mostly delivered through Goldberg’s performance) and thriller elements create an engaging experience that appeals to a wide audience demographic.

‘Ghost’ was both a commercial and critical success upon its original release, becoming a cultural phenomenon, grossing over half a billion dollars, and winning two Academy Awards. Jerry Zucker’s unexpected direction, coming from a comedy background, added a nuanced layer that steered away from overly sentimental or purely slapstick interpretations. This modern romantic classic continues to resonate with audiences decades later, maintaining its place as a poignant, multi-genre favorite that seamlessly integrates love, mystery, and supernatural elements.

The Blu-ray release of "Ghost" as part of Paramount’s "Paramount Presents" lineup brings along a much-anticipated 4K re-master, breathing new life into this beloved supernatural romantic thriller. Starring Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze, and Whoopi Goldberg, and directed by Jerry Zucker, the film's enduring appeal is bolstered by heartfelt performances and timeless music. Paramount's reissue delivers a substantial upgrade in video quality, presenting a clean transfer sourced from a new 4K restoration while retaining the original Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack. Notably, this edition introduces new extras, including a filmmaker focus feature, although it disappointingly omits two legacy extras from previous releases.

This Blu-ray effectively captures the essence of "Ghost," a film that has resonated with audiences for decades. The high-definition video quality is notably impressive, capturing the film's emotional depth and supernatural charm. Despite these technical enhancements, the audio mix remains unchanged, offering the same immersive experience as earlier releases. The packaging is aesthetically appealing, making it a standout on any shelf. While some may be irked by the exclusion of certain legacy features, the added new content provides a fresh perspective and enriches the overall value of the set.

In conclusion, "Ghost" is a touching and emotional journey that continues to captivate viewers even after 30 years. The new Blu-ray edition from Paramount ensures that the film offers a visually enhanced experience while maintaining its original auditory charm. If you haven't added "Ghost" to your collection yet, this release is highly recommended for its superior video quality and nostalgic value.