All-Star Superman 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Warner Bros. has given "All-Star Superman" a commendable 4K UHD Blu-ray upgrade, utilizing a brand-new 2160p/HDR transfer from the original 2K digital intermediate. This upgrade significantly enhances the viewing experience, primarily due to a less compressed format on a dual-layered 4K disc (66GB), which drastically reduces previously noted artifacts, banding, and aliasing, although it's important to note that some issues may still be inherent in the source material. While the increase in fine detail might not be staggering, owing to the upscaling of 2K sources, there is a tangible improvement in image clarity and color vibrancy, attributed to the expanded color palette and increased contrast range provided by HDR grading. This results in a richer, more stable visual presentation, particularly noticeable in the bold primaries of Superman and Lois Lane's costumes and the smoother gradients of the background, enhancing the overall visual fidelity compared to its previous Blu-ray incarnation.

The HDR grade significantly benefits the black levels and color saturation, making scenes with dark spaces or outer space segments more defined and visually appealing. The contrast improvement aids in delineating finer details that were previously blurred or indiscernible on the standard 1080p version. Despite its upscaled nature and the limitations inherent in the original animation's resolution, this new 4K presentation breathes new life into the film’s visuals. Bright colors and deep blacks are more vivid and impactful, highlighting the superheroic aesthetic with a newfound sharpness and depth, particularly in scenes involving Superman's battles or his flight into the sun.

While the animation might not exhibit native 4K detail due to its digital rendering at 2K, this UHD release nonetheless offers a substantial visual improvement over its Blu-ray counterpart. The clean lines and vibrant color palette of the film's animation benefit greatly from the 4K upscale and HDR enhancement, providing a fresh and lively viewing experience that surpasses previous versions. This visual upgrade is an essential consideration for fans and collectors alike, elevating "All-Star Superman" amongst contemporary animated features in terms of visual clarity, color fidelity, and overall presentation quality on a home theatre setup.

The audio presentation of "All-Star Superman" on its 4K UHD Blu-ray edition retains the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track from its 2011 iteration. This choice, while ensuring a level of consistency with previous releases, also showcases the track's limitations and areas where it falls short of current spatial audio expectations. Certain dynamic sequences, notably one involving an explosive decompression, lack the visceral impact one might anticipate, revealing a missed opportunity for incorporating a more sophisticated Atmos or 7.1 remix to complement the visual upgrade to 2160p. Despite this, the track maintains commendable clarity across its elements—dialogue, effects, and Christopher Drake’s vibrant score, ensuring that the essentials are well-represented even within its confined soundstage.

Focusing primarily on the front channels, the mix’s conservative approach to spatial audio is evident, with minimal utilization of ambient sounds or surrounding effects that could have enhanced the immersive experience. The bass presence, although modest, alongside the fine dynamics and clear sound effects, does contribute to the overall clean but not particularly adventurous audio landscape. It's a competent execution that serves the narrative without reaching into the realms of a truly enveloping auditory experience. Notably, additional language options such as French and Spanish are provided in Dolby Digital, accompanied by a range of subtitle choices including English (SDH), French, Dutch, and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience.

In reflection, while the soundtrack of "All-Star Superman" delivers on clarity and fidelity, particularly in rendering its score and dialogue, it notably lacks in creating a fully immersive sonic environment expected from modern releases. The absence of an updated audio mix such as Dolby Atmos highlights a significant area for potential enhancement in future re-releases. This aspect stands as a somewhat disappointing limitation within an otherwise exemplary package, leaving audiophiles and fans alike yearning for a more adventurous and immersive sonic journey to match the visually stunning 4K transfer.

This enhanced 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "All-Star Superman" is a notable upgrade from its 2011 predecessor, bringing forth the vibrant world and intricate details of Morrison and Quitely's acclaimed series into stunning visual quality. Packaged in an attractive dual-hubbed keepcase with a metallic slipcover, it includes a digital copy for the modern collector. Aside from its aesthetic merits, this release shines through its extras, mixing new with old to great effect. Highlighted by "An All-Star Adaptation" and "An All-Star Salute to the Silver Age," these featurettes delve deep into the adaptation process and the homage to the Silver Age of comics, featuring insights from pivotal creators like Bruce Timm, Sam Liu, and Grant Morrison themselves. The inclusion of these alongside returning extras—on both the 4K disc and Blu-ray—ensures fans old and new receive a comprehensive look into the making and influence of "All-Star Superman," without the hassle of disc swapping, a welcome change highlighting WB's consideration for user experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• NEW EXTRAS (4K DISC ONLY)

  • An All-Star Adaptation: Director Sam Liu and team discuss the adaptation of Morrison's work into animation.
  • An All-Star Salute to the Silver Age: A tribute to the Silver Age's influence on "All-Star Superman."

• RETURNING EXTRAS (4K AND BLU-RAY DISCS)

  • Audio Commentary: Insights from Bruce Timm and Grant Morrison.
  • The Creative Flow: Incubating the Idea with Grant Morrison: Morrison shares his process.
  • All-Star Superman #1 Digital Comic: A digital version of the first comic book.
  • Superman Now: A documentary on updating Superman for modern audiences.

• RETURNING EXTRAS (BLU-RAY DISC ONLY)

  • Green Lantern: Emerald Knights Sneak Peek
  • Bruce Timm's Picks: Selections from Bruce Timm.
  • Trailers and Sneak Peeks: Various promotional materials.

Warner Bros. delivers a triumphant revival of the revered DCAU film, "All-Star Superman," with its latest 4K UHD Blu-ray iteration, two years on from their landmark 10th Anniversary 4K release of "Batman: Year One." This release, targeting aficionados of The Man of Steel's illustrious animated escapades, comes with a gleaming new 2160p/HDR transfer that promises to eclipse its 2011 Blu-ray predecessor. Additionally, the package is enriched with two novel short retrospective featurettes, offering a deeper dive into the making and legacy of this animated marvel. Based on Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's distinguished 12-issue series, the film encapsulates an emotive journey through Superman lore, masterfully condensed into a 77-minute viewing experience by the late Dwayne McDuffie. His adept screenplay adaptation garnered praise from Morrison, crediting McDuffie with maintaining the narrative's heart amidst its transition from page to screen.

"All-Star Superman" distinguishes itself as a discerning adaptation, capturing the essence and whimsy of Morrison's original work while negotiating the complex narrative demands of a concise film format. Crafted as a homage rather than a deconstruction of the superhero genre, the movie stands out for its optimistic portrayal of Superman, spotlighting his inherent nobility and resilience in the face of adversity. McDuffie's screenplay gracefully tackles Morrison's episodic storytelling, emphasizing pivotal moments and characters—from Superman's poignant disclosures to Lois Lane, to his ultimate showdown with Lex Luthor. This adaptation celebrates Superman's Silver Age roots wholeheartedly, delivering a story replete with action, heart, and the singular joy that defines Superman’s adventures.

The technical execution and artistic fidelity of "All-Star Superman" are commendable, supported by a stellar voice cast including James Denton, Christina Hendricks, Ed Asner, and Anthony LaPaglia. Directed by veteran animated DC director Sam Liu, the film achieves an admirable balance between narrative integrity and the adaptive necessities of animation, incorporating several nuanced adjustments without detracting from Morrison's original vision. From its thoughtful adaptation process to its polished animation and faithful voice performances, "All-Star Superman" serves as a benchmark for Superman adaptations—a testament to the enduring appeal and complexity of one of comics' most enduring heroes. This 4K UHD release not only enhances the viewing experience with superior visual quality but also pays homage to the timeless narrative and artistic achievements of Morrison, Quitely, and McDuffie’s collaborative genius.

In the recent upgrade of Sam Liu's "All-Star Superman" to a 4K UHD Blu-ray combo pack, Warner Bros. rejuvenates an acclaimed adaptation of a cherished comic series, further enriching its legacy within the DC animated universe. Marked by its true-to-source material storytelling, stellar voice performances, and fluid animation, this release bolsters the original 2011 film’s prestige with enhanced visual presentation through a 2160p/HDR transfer. Additionally, the package is augmented with two new retrospective featurettes, offering a deeper dive into the film’s creation and enduring impact. While the set retains all original extras, its most compelling draw is undeniably the upgraded visual fidelity that breathes new life into this emblematic Superman narrative.

However, it is worth noting that alongside these advancements, the set includes two episodes from “Superman: The Animated Series” (“Blast from the Past Part 1 & 2”), albeit in their original Standard Definition format. Despite this inclusion, enthusiasts may find more value in Warner Bros.’ HD remastered releases of the full animated series from 2021 for a truly high-definition experience. Regrettably, the exclusion of HD updates for these episodes and other potential additions like the Target-exclusive content (which featured “Absolute Power” and “Feeding Time”) slightly detracts from the overall package completeness.

Conclusively, this 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of “All-Star Superman” represents a significant enhancement over its predecessors, delivering a visually stunning experience while faithfully preserving the charm and depth of the original animated classic. It stands as an essential purchase for newcomers and a worthy upgrade for the devoted aficionados of Superman’s animated ventures. Despite slight imperfections regarding supplemental content, its core offering—the film itself—has never looked better, reaffirming its status as a jewel in the crown of the DC Animated Universe.