Friday the 13th 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Friday the 13th" is a comprehensive upgrade, presenting the film with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1. The transfer is provided in HDR10 and Dolby Vision, offering both Theatrical and Extended Killer Cut versions. Arrow Films has meticulously remastered the film, ensuring a high-fidelity presentation. Notably, this release does not include a 1080p Blu-ray disc; hence, any provided screenshots are downscaled and might not reflect the true color accuracy and dynamic range of the 4K presentation.

The restoration, conducted at Duplitech using 2K DI master data supplied by Warner Brothers, ensures that "Friday the 13th" maintains a beautifully organic grain structure, untouched by excessive filtering that plagued previous releases. Grain is finely resolved throughout the film, contributing to the overall authenticity and visual richness. Particularly noteworthy is the color palette, oscillating between cool blues, teals, and warmer yellows and golds, detailed vividly through HDR10 and Dolby Vision. This approach enhances the film's visual appeal, delivering nuanced shadow details and promoting superior contrast.

Moreover, the transfer handles both the opening black-and-white sequence and vibrantly graded scenes later in the film with remarkable consistency in detail levels. While some darker scenes exhibit minor chromatic aberrations with blue-tinged spikes in grain, these instances are rare and do not detract from the overall viewing experience. Fans of the film will appreciate the significant enhancement in image quality, confirming this release as a vital upgrade over prior versions. The combined efforts of Arrow Films and Warner Brothers have yielded a presentation that should satisfy even the most discerning cinephiles.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Friday the 13th" significantly enhances the viewing experience with its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. While some viewers have previously noted the limitations of older tracks such as the Dolby TrueHD 5.1, this current track offers a more engaging and immersive sound experience. The sound design is notably anchored to the front but comes alive through effective engagement of side and rear channels, particularly during intense outdoor scenes and the suspenseful, rain-soaked climax. The score is expertly positioned across the soundstage, contributing to a rich auditory landscape.

Dialogue clarity is a standout feature, rendered cleanly and distinctly throughout the film, ensuring that viewers do not miss crucial exchanges. The integration of optional English subtitles adds a layer of accessibility for all audiences. This attention to detail marks a substantial improvement in sound quality, making this edition of "Friday the 13th" a must-have for aficionados and new viewers alike.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Friday the 13th" is loaded with a comprehensive and engaging collection of extras, certain to please both ardent fans and new viewers. The disc boasts extensive commentaries and newly produced HD interviews that provide enriching insights into the film's creation and legacy. Archive extras include a mix of video essays and featurettes, all aimed at deepening the viewer's appreciation of Jason Vorhees' resurrection. The promotional material rounds out the package with an array of teasers, trailers, and TV spots. Though some archived supplements are upscales and do not match true HD quality, their inclusion still adds significant value.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Director Marcus Nispel: In-depth discussion by the film's director.
• Commentary by Mark Swift and Damian Shannon: Scriptwriters dissect their creative process.
• Interview with Marcus Nispel: Produced by Arrow in 2024.
• Interview with Mark Swift and Damian Shannon: Produced by Arrow in 2024.
• Interview with Daniel Pearl: Produced by Arrow in 2024.
• A Killer New Beginning: Video essay by Matt Donato.
• Excerpts from Terror Trivia Track: Compiled from Warner Brothers' previous release.
• The Rebirth of Jason Vorhees: Featurette on character revival.
• Hacking Back/Slashing Forward: Comparative analysis.
• The 7 Best Kills: Highlight reel.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional footage.
• Teaser, Trailer, TV Spots: Promo materials.
• Electronic Press Kit: Comprehensive PR material.
• Image Gallery: Visual archive.

The 2009 remake/reboot of "Friday the 13th" attempts to refresh the venerable horror franchise, though it was met with mixed responses from critics and audiences alike. Despite these lukewarm reviews, the film performed reasonably well at the box office, suggesting it found an appreciative audience. The narrative may not climb to the heights of its progenitor, but it compensates with a strong visual flair, particularly notable in Daniel Pearl's atmospheric cinematography. This has been meticulously preserved and enhanced in the 4K UHD presentation by Arrow, offering fans a visually compelling experience.

Arrow's 4K UHD release goes beyond merely providing a high-resolution transfer; it supports the movie's stylistic choices with excellent clarity and contrast. This new edition ensures that Pearl's moody and intricate cinematography is displayed in all its glory, with dark scenes rendered with exceptional detail and brighter moments captured with precise vibrancy. Additionally, this release includes a comprehensive suite of supplemental materials typical of Arrow's high standards, making it a worthwhile acquisition for both fans and cinephiles who appreciate behind-the-scenes content and critical insights.

Review 1: The 4K UHD transfer of "Friday the 13th" delivers impressive detail and clarity. The increased resolution significantly enhances the film's visuals, uncovering finer elements like textures of costumes and settings. The HDR implementation offers improved contrast and vibrant colors, although some scenes seem slightly oversaturated. The audio experience benefits from a robust DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, providing dynamic range and immersive surround effects that add depth to the suspenseful atmosphere. Bonus features include insightful commentaries and making-of documentaries, enriching the viewing experience for fans of the series.

Review 2: This 4K release of the original "Friday the 13th" is a significant upgrade from previous editions. The enhanced picture quality reveals details that were previously obscured, creating a more immersive viewing experience. The HDR application is well done, bringing out bright highlights and deeper blacks, though occasionally some scenes do appear a tad too dark. The audio mix is strong, with clear dialogue and a soundtrack that enhances the tension. The special features are comprehensive, offering a wealth of behind-the-scenes content that fans will appreciate. Overall, this is a must-have for horror enthusiasts.

Review 3: "Friday the 13th" receives a commendable treatment in its 4K UHD Blu-ray release. The picture quality is sharp, with noticeably improved detail compared to prior Blu-ray editions. HDR application heightens contrasts and colors, though there are instances where it may feel a bit overdone. In terms of audio, the DTS-HD Master Audio track delivers a rich, enveloping sound that enhances each jump scare and atmospheric moment. The included supplements are plentiful and insightful, providing valuable context for the film's production and legacy. For fans of classic slasher films, this release is highly recommended.

Review 4: The 4K UHD release of "Friday the 13th" showcases a substantial upgrade over its predecessors. Image quality is paramount, revealing intricate details and offering a crisp viewing experience. High Dynamic Range (HDR) implementation brings more nuanced coloration and deeper blacks, though it sometimes results in slightly exaggerated contrast. The audio track is exceptionally well-balanced, utilizing the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 format to deliver clear dialogue and engaging environmental sounds. The array of bonus materials available adds significant value, making this edition highly desirable for collectors and newcomers alike. This release stands out as a noteworthy addition to any horror collection.

Conclusion Paragraph: Somewhat hilariously, only a couple of days ago (as this review is being written) I mentioned in our Kill 4K Blu-ray review that that film's decision to offer its title card well into the proceedings may have seemed like a cool stylistic conceit, though trivia buffs will know it's a pretty old idea, as this film (certainly not the first to utilize such a concept) uses it, too. But, then again, a lot of this Friday the 13th can't help but feel like warmed over, um, remains. Marcus Nispel arguably offered a more visceral remake when he redid The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but fans of this remake should be well pleased with both the technical merits and supplements and non disc swag Arrow is providing with this release. With caveats about the actual film, Recommended.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Friday the 13th" represents a significant technical upgrade. Visuals benefit immensely from increased resolution which uncovers finer details in costumes and settings, while HDR implementation brings improved contrast and vibrant colors, albeit with occasional oversaturation. Picture quality is notably enhanced even against prior Blu-ray editions, offering a crisp and immersive viewing experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track provides robust dynamic range and clear dialogue, enriched with surrounding effects that elevate the film's eerie atmosphere. Fans will also enjoy an exhaustive array of bonus materials including insightful commentaries and in-depth making-of documentaries, enhancing the overall appreciation of the film's production nuances.

In conclusion, while some aspects of "Friday the 13th" may feel dated or redundant, this release excels in technical merits and extensive supplements. Marcus Nispel's remake might hold more visceral appeal to some, but this edition from Arrow promises considerable satisfaction for both longtime fans and newcomers through its pristine technical delivery and comprehensive extras. Recommended.