Starman 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Sony’s 4K UHD presentation of "Starman," part of the Columbia Classics Vol 4 boxset, is a marked improvement over previous releases. The film, a 1984 science fiction drama directed by John Carpenter, has been brilliantly restored using a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negatives. This restoration, handled by Cineric, Inc. with final color grading completed at Roundabout Entertainment, includes Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range formats. Consequently, the image quality is stunning, showcasing vivid and natural colors without appearing overly saturated. The film’s darker aesthetic is faithful to its original appearance and enhances Donald M. Morgan’s cinematography, revealing intricate details in fabrics and background items while maintaining the richness of blacks and shadow details.

Detail is impeccably sharp, particularly in close-ups where skin textures, pores, and minor blemishes are distinctly visible. The color palette is vibrant, with animated primaries such as Jeff Bridges' flannel popping on screen, and secondary hues like the fiery oranges of explosions and vehicles conveyed with energetic realism. Practical effects are more apparent yet remain impressive, framed within a beautifully balanced contrast and brightness. Grain is consistently maintained throughout the HDR presentation, contributing to an authentic cinematic feel without intruding on the clarity of the image.

This impressive native 4K transfer achieves a near-reference quality HEVC H.265 encode that brings out intricate details in varied environments—from rock formations in desert scenes to the fine stitching of interior car seats. The encode maintains clean lines and avoids banding or other digital anomalies, providing the definitive visual experience for "Starman." With both Dolby Vision and HDR10 ensuring vivid brilliance across a spectrum of colors and intensities, this release stands as possibly the best-looking rendition of a John Carpenter film to date, rivalling Sony’s own release of “Christine.”

The Dolby Atmos track of the 4K UHD presentation of "Starman" is a marked improvement that transitions the film into an immersive auditory experience. The mix, presumably derived from the original 70mm six-track Dolby Stereo, delivers a broad and spacious soundstage with outstanding channel balance, both across the front channels and into the height speakers. This creates a highly engaging half-dome soundstage. Pinpoint directional effects such as the whirring helicopters and other atmospheric noises are well-defined, creating a fully immersive environment. Dialogue remains crystalline and well-prioritized even amid the most intense sequences, ensuring that every line is captured with precision.

The primary audio offering includes English Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio. While the 2.0 track retains the original theatrical Dolby Stereo mix, and the 5.1 track is robust, neither can compare to the more immersive Atmos track. The new mix precisely redirects sound effects throughout the soundstage, making the helicopters swoop convincingly overhead and adding sweetened bass for genuine impact during key moments like the spacecraft's crash. Jack Nitzsche’s score benefits greatly from this mix, revealing enhanced presence and robustness, which invigorates the film's atmosphere.

Overall, "Starman" showcases excellent use of mid-range warmth with high fidelity, maintaining clarity throughout all frequencies. The surround channels are active with extensive atmospheric effects, smooth panning, and remarkable directionality, generating an engaging hemispheric soundfield. Additionally, the low-end output is surprisingly potent, adding depth and weight that you can feel in every action scene. This meticulous attention to sonic detail makes the "Starman" audio presentation not only a technical marvel but also an essential upgrade for home theater enthusiasts seeking a profoundly immersive experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of "Starman" offers an impressive array of extras, amplifying the viewing experience for fans and collectors. The set includes previously released special features on the accompanying Blu-ray disc, as well as the complete TV series across two 4K discs. Highlights include an engaging audio commentary by John Carpenter and Jeff Bridges, an informative making-of featurette, and a detailed look at behind-the-scenes work. Particularly notable is the Dolby Atmos track that delivers a powerful, immersive audio experience with deep bass and seamless integration of surround and overhead channels. This carefully curated collection ensures a comprehensive and enriched exploration of this classic film.

Extras included in this disc:

• Starman: The Complete TV Series: All 22 episodes presented in HD.
• Audio Commentary: Insights from John Carpenter and Jeff Bridges.
• Deleted Scenes: Over twenty HD scenes.
• Behind-the-Scenes Time Lapses: Detailed filming process.
• They Came from Hollywood!: Memories from the cast and crew.
• Making-Of Featurette: Vintage featurette.
• Music Video: "All I Have to Do Is Dream."
• Stills Gallery: Non-interactive slideshow.
• Theatrical Trailer: The original trailer in HD.

John Carpenter's "Starman" presents a nuanced departure from his typical horror-centric oeuvre, weaving together a touching road movie and an emotional love story. Following the reception of Earth's message sent via the Voyager II probe, an alien species sends a representative who adopts the form of the recently deceased Scott Hayden (Jeff Bridges). This alien, newly embodied as Scott, encounters Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen), Scott’s widow still grieving his loss. Together, they embark on a journey from Wisconsin to Arizona to reach a predetermined rendezvous point while being pursued by government forces.

Carpenter splendidly diverges from his usual dark and dystopian visuals, employing lush American landscapes to evoke a rich tapestry of human experiences. The film is anchored by Bridges’ nuanced depiction of an alien navigating the complexities of human emotion and motor skills, earning him an Academy Award nomination. Allen gifts a hauntingly sorrowful yet dynamic performance, transforming from a grieving widow to a woman rediscovering life's joys. The chemistry between Bridges and Allen crafts a believable and emotionally resonant bond that defines the movie's heart.

Supportive performances from Charles Martin Smith as SETI scientist Mark Shermin add layers of depth, balancing tension with charm. Jack Nitzsche’s evocative score further elevates the emotional resonance, ensuring poignant moments linger long after the credits roll. Despite its simplicity, "Starman" excels through genuine performances, striking cinematography, and an underpinning score that consolidates its themes of life, love, and loss into a profoundly beautiful cinematic experience.

Sony's 4K UHD release of "Starman" revitalizes John Carpenter's often-overlooked classic in a way that's both technically impressive and emotionally resonant. The Dolby Vision HDR presentation offers a significant enhancement over previous editions, highlighting Dean Cundey's cinematography with rich colors and superb contrast. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is immersive, amplifying Jack Nitzsche's evocative score and providing fans the option to relish the original audio mix if preferred. Comprehensive supplements include the complete Starman TV series, alongside a trove of previously available extras, making this a definitive edition for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

The 4K transfer solidifies "Starman" as more than just a nostalgic favorite; it becomes a sophisticated visual treat that matches its poignant narrative and memorable performances by Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen. Their chemistry, paired with Carpenter's nuanced direction, shines brighter than ever in this restoration. Although some minor supplementary content like the Still Gallery is missing, the generous inclusion of around eighteen hours of additional features—including the entire TV series—ensures that this package delivers exceptional value.

Often overlooked in John Carpenter’s illustrious filmography, Starman is an absolute joy. Beautifully acted and crafted, it will be a hard heart that isn’t moved come its final emotional moments. And speaking of beautifully crafted, Sony have delivered a suitably stellar effort for this 4K release. The new transfer is outstanding, the new Atmos soundtrack a barnstormer (and still giving OG audio fans the choice to not listen to it) and the inclusion of the entire, long-forgotten TV series is the final confirmation of Sony’s absolute commitment to delivering the highest value possible for physical media fans. A quite brilliant release. Starman in 4K is currently only available within the Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Vol 4 box set and is available now.