A Star Is Born Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray video presentation of "A Star Is Born" effectively captures the film's 2.40:1 theatrical aspect ratio in a stunning 1080p transfer via the AVC codec. Despite the absence of a UHD release for this Encore cut, the picture quality is remarkable. The transfer exhibits impressive black levels, ensuring deep, rich scenes that enhance the dramatic elements of the film. Colors are vivid and aptly balanced, contributing to a visually satisfying experience throughout the movie's entirety. While lacking HDR capabilities that would refine color mapping and highlights, the high definition rendering remains top-tier and competently manages brightness.

One of the standout features of this Blu-ray release is its ability to seamlessly integrate new scenes without any discernible shift in picture quality. This meticulous attention to detail ensures a consistent and immersive viewing experience, respectful of the original theatrical cut while providing additional content. The diligent management of color and brightness underscores the transfer's quality, presenting an image that feels full-bodied and meticulously crafted. While UHD enthusiasts might miss the enhanced solidity offered by HDR, this Blu-ray release still holds its own as a premier high-definition edition, structured into 19 chapters for easy navigation.

In summary, the Blu-ray transfer of "A Star Is Born" is characterized by excellent black levels, well-managed colors, and consistent brightness, even though it does not include UHD or HDR features. This professional and technically proficient presentation ensures that both new and existing scenes are vividly rendered, providing an engaging and visually compelling film experience.

The Blu-ray release of "A Star Is Born" offers a superior audio experience featuring both Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks. The default DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is complemented by several additional options, including an audio descriptive track for the theatrical cut. Users interested in the immersive qualities of the audio should consider selecting the Atmos track via the Main Menu for an enhanced listening experience.

Using the Dolby Atmos mix for evaluation, the soundfield is expansive and deeply impressive. The mix captures the concert scenes with remarkable precision, filling the room with dynamic music and audience reactions from every direction. The fully enveloping soundstage ensures that bass response is powerful and dialogue clarity is maintained, ensuring that spoken lines are not overpowered by the musical segments. This blend of immersive bass, precise spatial placement, and crystal-clear dialogue defines a standout audio presentation.

However, it is imperative to note that the Encore Edition defaults to the DTS-HD MA track. Users who prefer an even more immersive surround sound experience will need to manually select the Dolby Atmos option from the Main Menu. The Atmos mix particularly shines during high-energy performance sequences, making it a recommended choice for audiophiles seeking to experience the full potential of their home theater setup.

The Blu-ray extras for "A Star Is Born" primarily focus on musical segments, offered through the Musical Moments feature. Both the theatrical cut and the Encore Edition of the film are available on a single disc, balancing space efficiency and content accessibility. Unlike previous standalone releases, this edition does not include comprehensive behind-the-scenes features like "The Road to Stardom: Making 'A Star Is Born'," jamming sessions, rarities, or music videos. Instead, it highlights key audio-visual experiences from the film, with options for instant access or continuous playback of the most memorable musical scenes. Additionally, the package includes a DVD copy and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code for versatile viewing options. The structured inclusion of these elements ensures that the musical core of "A Star Is Born" is preserved and prioritized.

Extras included in this disc:

Musical Moments: Allows viewers to access any one of eleven musical moments or play all continuously.

Warner Brothers has re-released the Oscar-winning film A Star Is Born in a Special Encore Edition, adding 12 minutes to the runtime. This new cut includes extended music performances, intimate jam sessions, and all-new scenes. Fans will enjoy additional footage of key songs such as "Black Eyes" and "Shallow," offering a deeper dive into the musical journeys of Jackson (Bradley Cooper) and Ally (Lady Gaga). This version also highlights new sequences, such as Ally's powerful a cappella performance of "Is That Alright?" during the wedding scene and the original collaboration on the new song "Clover."

The Special Encore Edition maintains the original strengths of Cooper’s directorial debut while addressing some of its narrative pacing issues. Notable additions include an extended version of Jackson's electrifying opener "Black Eyes" and a poignant dialogue between Jackson and his Grammy replacement, setting up the ensuing drama more effectively. New content focuses more on Jackson's deteriorating hearing, subtly enhancing the character's arc without detracting from the established storyline. The music industry backdrop, infused with nods to Gaga's rise to fame and her LGBTQ+ following, remains firmly in place, retaining the essence of this modern-day retelling.

The on-stage sequences remain as compelling as ever, from the first viral duet of "Shallow" to Ally's solo breakthrough with "Always Remember Us This Way." Quieter moments, like Jackson's acoustic "Maybe It's Time" and Ally's piano rehearsals, provide emotional depth. Bradley Cooper’s multifaceted portrayal of Jackson stands out, his guttural voice adding authenticity to the character's struggles. Lady Gaga's performance as Ally is vocally impressive, even if her dramatic chops somewhat waver in intensity. Strong supporting performances from Sam Elliott and a surprisingly adept Andrew Dice Clay enrich the narrative, while brief but memorable appearances from stars like Dave Chappelle and Brandi Carlile add to the film's dynamic ensemble.

"A Star Is Born" Blu-ray Encore Edition offers a notable experience by incorporating eleven additional minutes of footage into the already highly acclaimed 2018 film. These enrichment scenes provide intriguing depth but are not critical to the enjoyment or understanding of the primary narrative, making them a particular draw for devoted fans. Unfortunately, this release disappoints by omitting the extensive behind-the-scenes bonus material that was a highlight of the previous Blu-ray and UHD editions. Thus, collectors and those who relish comprehensive special features might find this edition lacking.

While the Encore Edition is fundamentally a welcome addition, its failure to deliver in 4K diminishes its technical appeal. The extended content enriches the film but does not justify a repurchase for casual viewers. Thankfully, Warner Brothers provides a silver lining: owners of the movie on iTunes and Vudu can access the Encore Edition under Extras starting June 4, without additional cost. This digital inclusion partially mitigates the disappointment for those invested in the streaming ecosystem.

In conclusion, "A Star Is Born" Encore Edition is best suited for die-hard aficionados eager for any new content. It brings incremental value but falls short of being an essential upgrade due to its lack of new special features and missing 4K presentation. The decision to release this version without comprehensive behind-the-scenes extras diminishes its overall appeal, making prior editions more attractive for general audiences.