Red Dawn 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 76
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Red Dawn: misunderstood anti-war classic, now in vivid 4K, a must for 80s fans.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
DTS-HD MA
Video: 86
Red Dawn's 4K upgrade by Shout! Factory brings unparalleled clarity, lifelike colors, and enhanced details, making it the definitive home video edition despite minor issues with optical effects.
Audio: 71
Shout! Factory reuses DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 from 2017, misleadingly packaging a non-existent Dolby Atmos mix. Audio quality is high but lacks organic surround effects; the 2.0 mix may offer better fidelity.
Extra: 68
The 2017 Shout! Factory Blu-ray edition of Red Dawn, with its array of extra features and a retrospective filled with interviews and stories, lacks new content for fans, retaining the same bonuses and production insights without fresh additions.
Movie: 71
Shout! Factory's 4K release of 'Red Dawn' (1984) enhances visuals but lacks new extras or sound upgrades, mirroring its earlier Blu-ray, amidst a Cold War-era tale of teenage guerrillas fighting against a Soviet invasion in Colorado.
Video: 86
The 4K UHD Blu-Ray presentation of "Red Dawn" marks a significant upgrade from its previous home video releases, offering an impressive visual experience that highlights the film's rugged aesthetics and expansive landscapes. Shout! Factory's dedication to delivering a superior product is evident through a new 4K scan of the original camera negative, which has been graded with Dolby Vision HDR to enhance both the clarity and color representation of the film. The opening sequences, showcasing the film's title amidst densely packed clouds, immediately signal the improvements in white levels and color intensity, setting the stage for a viewing experience that boasts marked enhancements in filmic clarity, stability, and saturation over the 2017 release.
Grain management throughout is commendably handled, striking an ideal balance that retains the film's natural texture while improving sharpness and detail. Critical scenes, particularly those set in the Colorado mountains, benefit from the 2160p resolution's ability to render trees, rock formations, and other environmental details with lifelike clarity, drawing viewers deeper into the narrative's setting. The Dolby Vision color grading augments this effect, providing a richer palette where bright skies, natural greens, and the vibrant hues of explosive fireballs are vividly depicted. This is complemented by deeper black levels and nuanced shadows, enhancing nighttime sequences with a more realistic depth. However, optical effects for subtitles introduce minor setbacks, with some loss in detail and increased grain during these scenes.
Despite these slight imperfections related to subtitles and optical effects, "Red Dawn’s" 4K presentation is nothing short of remarkable. The comprehensive approach to its visual restoration not only revitalizes its colors and enhances detail but also respects the film’s original atmospheric intent. With deepened blacks, authentic flesh tones, and an overall boost in image clarity, this release undoubtedly represents the definitive version of "Red Dawn," offering both longtime fans and new viewers alike an unparalleled home video experience.
Audio: 71
Shout! Factory’s release of the 4K UHD Blu-ray for "Red Dawn" sticks to the familiar territory by reusing the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 stereo tracks from its 2017 release, a move that might disappoint audiophiles anticipating a modern remix in Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. Despite promotional materials mistakenly indicating the inclusion of a Dolby Atmos track—a feature that unfortunately does not materialize—the existing audio presentations provide a solid listening experience. The 5.1 mix concentrates its efforts on a broad, front-centric soundstage, where action sequences are underlined by robust bass, and the hallmark Basil Poledouris score is rendered with exceptional clarity, ensuring that dialogue remains intelligible against the backdrop of wartime fervor.
Comparatively, the 2.0 stereo mix appears to offer a more naturalistic auditory experience despite lacking the immersive qualities that might enhance a film as dynamically charged as "Red Dawn". Listeners have noted that while the surround mix attempts to envelop with the strategic placement of effects, such as the exaggerated volume of gunfire and explosions sweeping around the listener, it sometimes results in an inorganic feel that detracts from the overall impact. The stereo mix, on the other hand, is praised for providing a more consistent auditory narrative, even if it sacrifices the depth and intensity suited to the film's action-packed scenes.
In conclusion, while there may be slight disappointments due to unmet expectations of an Atmos upgrade, Shout! Factory’s existing audio offerings on the "Red Dawn" 4K UHD Blu-ray remain commendably potent. Their mastering ensures that both explosive sequences and subtle dialogues are delivered with precision. The choice between the enveloping but occasionally overzealous 5.1 mix and the grounded realism of the 2.0 stereo track ultimately depends on the viewer's preference for immersion versus fidelity, with both options maintaining the integrity of the film’s auditory essence.
Extras: 68
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Red Dawn" delivers nostalgia and depth without introducing new materials, holding onto the 2017 Shout! Factory issue's comprehensive ensemble of extras only on the included Blu-ray disc. The highlight, a one-hour retrospective, offers high production values and encompasses multiple crew members, including insights from actor Doug Toby, casting director Jane Jenkins, and others, unraveling interesting behind-the-scenes stories, original script ideas, and unique production challenges. It's accentuated by rare production photos and illustrated with significant film clips. Although the set refrains from including freshly minted extras, the existing ones are polished and technologically proficient, mirroring the thoroughness seen in the main feature's transfer. However, the absence of the reversible cover art from the 2017 release might disappoint collectible enthusiasts, despite the preservation of its cardboard slipcover.
Extras included in this disc:
- A Look Back at Red Dawn: Deep dive into the film's impact with crew interviews.
- Red Dawn Rising: Exploration of the movie's conception.
- Training for WWIII: Insight into the cast's preparation.
- Building the Red Menace: Discussing the creation of the film’s antagonist forces.
- WWIII Comes to Town: Filming locations and set designs.
- Theatrical Trailer: Preview of the movie.
Movie: 71
Shout! Factory's 4K UHD release of the 1984 cult classic, "Red Dawn," brings an impressive visual upgrade to this Reagan-era, Cold War-themed action film, though it maintains its original audio track without new enhancements. Displaying at 2160p with Dolby Vision, the film’s gritty aesthetic and expansive Colorado landscapes come to life, adding a new layer of immersion to the already engaging narrative. Despite the absence of a Dolby Atmos track—contrary to what the packaging might suggest—the movie's original soundtrack still effectively conveys the tension and drama of its guerilla warfare scenes. However, it’s worth noting that no extras are included on the UHD disc, and the bundled Blu-ray seems unchanged from Shout! Factory’s 2017 release.
"Red Dawn" itself stands as a remarkable example of 1980s action cinema, depicting a fantastical Soviet invasion of the United States, countered by a guerilla resistance led by local high school students. The film captures an era's paranoia and political rhetoric with its straightforward, albeit far-fetched storyline. The Wolverines' guerrilla tactics and fight for freedom tap into a deep vein of American survivalist fantasy, amplified by strong performances from Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, and their cohorts. Despite its melodramatic and at times jingoistic tenor, "Red Dawn" fascinates as a cultural artifact, offering a window into the fears and cinematic tastes of its time.
This presentation fortifies "Red Dawn"'s standing among action aficionados and Cold War cinema collectors alike. The enhanced visual fidelity underscores the movie's dynamic set pieces and rugged wilderness settings, making for a compelling watch that honors its source material while making it accessible to modern audiences. While the lack of new sound enhancements and special features may disappoint some, the improved picture quality alone makes this release a worthy addition to any 4K UHD library.
Total: 76
Red Dawn," a film that seems frequently misunderstood as merely a pro-war action flick, reveals itself as a much deeper narrative of the human condition amid the chaos of war. Throughout its runtime, the film evolves, subtly laying the groundwork for its transition into a commentary on the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. This dual nature of "Red Dawn" serves as its core, juxtaposing the raw, adrenaline-pumping action of the Wolverines' resistance with a poignant exploration of coming of age in a war-torn world. The 4K UHD release by Shout! Factory, with its 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation, does justice to this complexity, offering an audio-visual experience that enhances both the film's gritty action sequences and its dramatic depth. Despite lacking a new Atmos mix, the included DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio complements the film well.
Over time, "Red Dawn" has remained a testament to its era, embedding itself in the fabric of 1980s American cinema with its blend of action and patriotic fervor. Despite criticisms of its dated Cold War narrative and overt jingoism, the film endures as a cultural artifact, capturing the zeitgeist of its time while maintaining its status as a beloved classic for many. The 4K restoration, while not flawless, significantly uplifts the visual presentation, making this release a compelling upgrade for enthusiasts. With solid audio tracks and an assortment of returning supplements, this edition is a recommended acquisition for both longstanding fans and newcomers exploring the film’s layered narrative.
In conclusion, the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Red Dawn" presents a unique opportunity to revisit a multifaceted film that balances action-packed sequences with an introspective look at war's impact on youth and national identity. The quality of the restoration ensures that the film can be appreciated in a new light, preserving its relevance and appeal for present and future audiences. Despite some remaining imperfections in the transfer and the missed chance for an Atmos mix, this release stands as an essential addition to the collections of those seeking to understand or re-experience the transformative power and the enduring legacy of "Red Dawn.
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 80
Viewers will appreciate the sharpness gains and lifelike clarity with which things like trees, leaves, and rock formations are rendered....
Audio: 60
Factory has simply repurposed the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack from its 2017 release....
Extras: 80
Blu-ray: A Look Back at Red Dawn Red Dawn Rising Training for WWIII Building the Red Menace WWIII Comes to Town Theatrical Trailer...
Movie: 90
A group of schoolchildren, led by the slightly more mature Jed (Patrick Swayze), escape a surprise enemy airborne attack and secure guns, ammunition, provisions, and various supplies before heading deep...
Total: 70
Without question, it also overtly and subtly alike constructs and champions ideas both as they relate to the hardship on the body and the survival of the soul in war, and it's through those elements that...
The Digital Bits review by Bill HuntRead review here
Video: 90
Image detail is greatly improved, though still a bit wanting in the internegative elements employed to create optical titles, subtitles, and dissolves....
Audio: 80
But—though the release was never promoted as such—the packaging claims to include a new Dolby Atmos mix that isn’t actually on the disc....
Extras: 80
The retrospective includes recent interviews with actor Doug Toby (Arturo), casting director Jane Jenkins, production designer Jackson DeGovia, and editor Thom Noble, who each share interesting stories...
Movie: 80
The story (by Kevin Reynolds of Fandango and Waterworld fame) is as simple as it is unlikely: The Soviet Union, suffering from political and economic instability, decides to launch World War III in the...
Total: 83
The lack of a new Atmos mix aside, Shout!’s done a terrific job with this new transfer, so the decision to upgrade from Blu-ray to Ultra HD should be a fairly easy one for fans to make....
DoBlu review by Matt PaprockiRead review here
Video: 100
Dolby Vision pushes a clean, natural contrast, enhanced without betraying the original intent....
Audio: 80
Bullets and rockets sweeping around the soundstage sound unnaturally loud, even if the transitions happen smoothly....
Extras: 60
Shout includes four older featurettes, and a new one hour retrospective with multiple crew members discussing the behind-the-scenes stories....
Movie: 40
The script isn’t without emotion; most of it is melodrama though, especially Harry Dean Stanton, bloodied face and all, giving a speech to his kids from behind a prison camp’s fence....
Total: 70
An utterly absurd, near-parody Cold War fantasy, Red Dawn’s dated mythos and patriotic bluster could only come from the ’80s....
High-Def Digest review by Matthew HartmanRead review here
Video: 90
While this disc is an excellent step up and a worthy improvement over past discs, there are a couple of trouble spots to report....
Audio: 80
In this case, I lean towards the 2.0 track as the better of the two, but you can’t really go wrong with either track....
Extras: 60
All of the bonus features are carried over from the 2017 disc without any new extras to celebrate....
Movie: 80
After cooler heads prevailed, it’s easy to look back at a movie like this and bask in the silliness, but there was a subsection of the population that genuinely believed – and arguably still do – that...
Total: 80
There are some cooked-in issues that still linger, but for the vast majority of the film, this is an obvious and clear upgrade....
Director: John Milius
Actors: Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson
PlotIn a small Colorado town, life is disrupted when paratroopers drop from the sky, signaling the onset of a sudden and devastating invasion by Soviet and Cuban forces. As the United States falls under enemy control, a group of high school students escape to the surrounding mountains. The teens, led by brothers Jed and Matt Eckert, take refuge in the wilderness as their hometown is besieged, grappling with the reality that their lives have been transformed overnight. Amid the chaos, these youths begin to find their bearings, slowly transitioning from average teenagers into a guerrilla unit.
Calling themselves the Wolverines, after their high school mascot, the group starts to fight back, using guerrilla tactics to undermine the occupying forces. They conduct a series of hit-and-run attacks, managing to elude capture despite the enemy's superior numbers and firepower. As the insurgency grows, the Wolverines become symbols of resistance for the occupied territory. Each encounter with the enemy hardens them further, drawing them deep into the complexities of warfare and the heavy burdens that come with fighting for their homes and freedom.
Writers: Kevin Reynolds, John Milius
Release Date: 10 Aug 1984
Runtime: 114 min
Rating: PG-13
Country: United States
Language: English, Russian, Spanish