Starman 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 89
from 5 reviewers
Review Date:
Often overlooked, Starman shines in 4K with a stunning transfer, immersive Dolby Atmos, and the inclusion of the entire TV series, making it a must-have for fans.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
DTS-HD MA
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 92
Starman's 4K UHD Blu-ray release delivers exceptional clarity and detail with a stunning HEVC H.265 encode, leveraging native 4K scan of original 35mm camera negatives, supplemented by Dolby Vision and HDR10 for vivid colors and dynamic range, culminating in the best visual presentation of the film to date.
Audio: 87
Starman's audio presentation in this 4K UHD Blu-Ray is phenomenal, with a first-class Dolby Atmos track that builds on the original 70mm Dolby Stereo mix, offering a broad, immersive soundstage with precise dialogue, robust low-end, and seamless panning effects, significantly enhancing the action and sci-fi elements.
Extra: 89
The 4K UHD of 'Starman' impresses with an exceptional Dolby Atmos remix providing deep bass and smooth hard pans; the included TV series as a bonus adds value. Most previous features, like Carpenter and Bridges' insightful commentary and numerous deleted scenes, are housed on the Blu-ray disc, now presented in superior 1080p.
Movie: 86
John Carpenter's *Starman* is an emotionally compelling departure from his typical horror fare, featuring Oscar-nominated performances by Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen. The stunning 4K UHD transfer highlights the film's naturalistic visuals, heartfelt story of grief and human connection, and Jack Nitzsche's moving score.
Video: 92
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.”
Audio: 87
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.
Extra: 89
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.
Movie: 86
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.
Total: 89
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.
avforums review by Mark CostelloRead review here
Video: 100
The film comes with four discs – the region free UHD #1 features just the film in its new restoration; there is a 1080p SDR blu-ray (coded for regions A/B/C) that features the remastered version of the...
Audio: 90
But at the other end of the spectrum, the more natural end, it delivers a delightfully balanced set of organic shades – from the lush greens and earthy desert tones of the backdrop of our pair’s journey...
Extras: 90
Immediately powerful and absolutely cohesive, the opening with the space craft being shot down perfectly demonstrates the superb audio characteristics of this new remix: bass is incredibly deep, the spectacular...
Movie: 90
But as these two form an unlikely bond on their road trip, the military aren’t giving up their quarry that easily and send a task force headed by a SETI scientist (Charles Martin Smith) to intercept… The...
Total: 90
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...
Blu-ray.com review by Kenneth BrownRead review here
Video: 90
Contrast is dialed in beautifully, and the palette, full of life and color as it is, lends a more foreboding, dangerous air to the proceedings....
Audio: 80
Low-end output makes its presence known early and often, infusing heftier elements with all the weight and oomph necessary to grant alien powers, well, power and the might and muscle of the U.S. government...
Extras: 100
Behind-the-Scenes Time Lapses (HD, 10 minutes) - "The Light at the Window" and "Pep Rally Prep"....
Movie: 90
Nevertheless, there are hints scattered throughout Starman that capture the magic of Carpenter's more intense outings, in particular a superbly -- and spellbindingly -- crafted opening that takes on hints...
Total: 80
It resonates more in the nostalgic corners of my brain than elsewhere, so it's hard to determine how well it will hold up for new viewers, but I continue to recommend it as an often-overlooked '80s gem...
The Digital Bits review by Stephen BjorkRead review here
Video: 100
This new master is based on a 4K scan of the original camera negative that was completed by Cineric, Inc. in New York, which also handled the initial restoration work....
Audio: 95
The sound effects have been redirected throughout the soundstage more precisely than they are in either of the previous mixes, with all channels engaged—the helicopters now fly through the overheads when...
Extras: 100
He also talks shop about the challenges of shooting the film out of sequence, and how he was amazed that Bridges could keep track of his own performance, but it’s mostly a relaxed, conversational track....
Movie: 85
While John Carpenter is a noteworthy director for many different reasons, there are three primary things with which he’s been heavily associated all throughout his career: the horror genre, the world of...
Total: 95
Save for the missing two minutes from the Still Gallery, that’s pretty much every previously available extra for Starman, along with roughly eighteen hours of new ones....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
The Dolby Vision HDR presentation bathes the visuals in sumptuously animated primaries, particularly the dynamic reds in the clothes, and a lovely, energetic array of secondary hues, from the fiery oranges...
Audio: 80
Nevertheless, the lossless mix exhibits an excellent balance and a strong midrange, displaying great distinction in the higher frequencies without a hint of distortion during the few action sequences....
Extras: 80
Starman (Movie) Blu-ray Disc Audio Commentary with star Jeff Bridges and director John Carpenter They Came From Hollywood (HD, 24 min) Making-of Featurette (1080i/60, 11 min) Behind the Scenes Time Lapse...
Movie: 80
Despite the unfriendly reception, Scott's widow Jenny (Karen Allen) is able to also teach him the simple joys of existing on this planet, such as Dutch apple pie, and the value of emotional connections....
Total: 80
The same set of bonuses from previous releases are ported over for this UHD edition, but Sony adds the complete TV series to the package hoping to entice fans to upgrade, making the overall package a Highly...
Home Theater Forum review by Todd ErwinRead review here
Video: 100
For this release, per the restoration notes by Rita Belda in the included collector’s booklet, Sony has scanned the original negatives in 4K with additional color correction and finishing that included...
Audio: 100
Reverb effects are added here and there to add a better sense of immersion, such as when Mark Shermin enters the empty space capsule or during a conversation in a plane hangar (these effects are not present...
Extras: 80
Starman TV Series (1080p): All 22 episodes of the first and only season of this 1986-87 television series that aired on ABC are included, spread out over two BD100 discs (you will need a UHD Blu-ray player...
Movie: 90
The movie was something of a departure for director John Carpenter, best known for horror films like Halloween, The Thing and Christine (his previous film to this one), but one would never know it if this...
Total: 90
Although currently only available on UHD disc in the Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection Vol. 4 boxed set, Starman has never looked or sounded better....
Director: John Carpenter
Actors: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith
PlotAn alien spacecraft is shot down by the U.S. government, crashing into the Wisconsin countryside. The alien inside, taking on the human form of a young widow’s deceased husband using DNA from a lock of hair found in the home, embarks on a critical mission. Unfamiliar with human customs and the English language, the alien must navigate the complexities of human interactions and society. The widow, initially terrified and resistant, is forced into a reluctant partnership with her husband's lookalike. Together, they set out on a cross-country journey to reach a designated pickup location in Arizona, where the alien hopes to be rescued by his own kind.
Throughout their journey, the two protagonists encounter various obstacles, including government agents in hot pursuit, aiming to capture the alien for research purposes. Their time together forces the widow to deal with the grief of her husband's death and confront her feelings towards this alien doppelgänger. As they travel, the alien demonstrates an ability to learn quickly, adopting human behaviors and emotions, which draws the pair closer, evolving from mutual distrust to a deep, understanding bond. The expedition across the American landscape not only exposes the alien to the breadth of human life and culture but also serves as a healing process for the widow, reigniting her sense of hope and capacity for love.
Writers: Bruce A. Evans, Raynold Gideon, Dean Riesner
Release Date: 14 Dec 1984
Runtime: 115 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English