Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2 offers a remarkable showcase of its lineup with video presentations that demonstrate the evolution of each film's visual experience through state-of-the-art 4K UHD Blu-ray transfers. "Anatomy of a Murder" excels with its native 4K transfer, derived from a fresh remaster of original 35mm negatives, delivering razor-sharp detailing and a pristine HDR10 presentation. The fine layer of natural film grain bestows a timeless, cinematic quality. "Oliver!" also receives a native 4K restoration from original camera negatives, providing enhanced clarity and definition. The transfer retains consistency across scenes, with minute elements in costumes and stage design more defined, enveloped in a similarly pleasing film grain.

"Taxi Driver" produces a stark visibility enhancement, inviting viewers into the gritty details of New York City. The 4K transfer accentuates every minute urban detail, from sharp signage to vivid neon lights, with balanced contrast and color saturation achieved through HDR technologies. While some sequences exhibit lesser sharpness, overall, it showcases significant improvement over previous releases. Similarly, "Stripes" benefits from its striking 2160p HDR10 boost, offering unprecedented image clarity and color vibrancy. Blacks are inky with impressive shadow detail, resolving any previous issues related to heavy black crush.

"Sense and Sensibility" witnesses an upgraded native 4K presentation that propels this period piece into clearer resolution with improved detail levels and resilient grain structure, especially after the opening credits. Rich colors and sharper contrast underscore the film’s Oscar-worthy costume design. In contrast, "The Social Network," shot digitally and delivered via a 2K upscaled 2160p Dolby Vision transfer, provides modest visual advancements. Though less striking compared to others in the set, certain scenes benefit from enhanced clarity and detail. Overall, this collection exemplifies Sony's proficiency in curating superior catalog releases that enhance viewing experiences through meticulous restoration and modern video formats.

The "Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2" provides exceptionally rich and immersive audio experiences, with the audio department notably enhanced by Dolby Atmos mixes across most titles. "Anatomy of a Murder" delivers a compelling Dolby Atmos soundtrack that adeptly fills the soundstage with Duke Ellington's score, maintaining wide imaging and clear dialogue. The Atmos mix allows ambient effects to travel naturally through the soundscape, with robust low-end support enhancing the dramatic weight of this classic film.

"Oliver!" benefits significantly from its Dolby Atmos presentation, which treats the audience to a lively, half-dome soundstage where John Green's score resonates wonderfully in the heights. This enhances the film’s musical numbers with clarity in orchestration and channel separation, providing a spacious and engaging auditory experience.

"Stripes" offers three audio options but shines particularly with a creatively constructed Dolby Atmos mix, standing out with an organic dispersal of sounds. Key sequences like the mortar course training thrill with dynamic surround activity and strong LFE, creating a vivid auditory scene.

"Sense & Sensibility," with a surprisingly immersive Atmos mix, employs atmospheric channels to enrich ambient details such as creaky floorboards and flowing fabrics, encapsulating listeners in its period setting subtly yet effectively.

"The Social Network's" new Atmos mix elevates the film through its meticulous construction of environments, utilizing height channels to create space and echo without overwhelming, lending a distinctive auditory identity to each location. This mix achieves a balanced presence that enhances both the energy of social settings and the tension in quieter scenes.

While "Taxi Driver" lacks an Atmos mix, its DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is robust, displaying excellent clarity and a hearty low-end. Despite this, audiences might miss the added immersive edge seen in the other films from this collection.

The Extras for the "Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2" 4K UHD Blu Ray present an impressive repertoire of vintage and contemporary short films, all remastered in 1080p high definition. This bonus disc totals over three hours and showcases the breadth of Columbia Pictures' historical content. The shorts are provided in audio options of English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD MA or English 5.1 DTS-HD MA with English SDH, French, German, Italian, and Spanish subtitles. The set’s meticulously designed packaging includes a hardback book full of essays and images, enhancing the collector's experience while maintaining a touch of elegance.

Extras included in this disc:

• Umpa: A classic short film from Columbia's early years.
• The Three Stooges: Disorder in the Court: A comedic staple featuring the iconic trio.
• Charley Chase: Man Bites Lovebug: Comedy from renowned filmmaker Charley Chase.
• Color Rhapsodies: Little Match Girl: An animated interpretation of the classic tale.
• Charley Chase: The Sap Takes a Wrap: Another Chase comedic gem.
• Color Rhapsodies: Dog, Cat and Canary: Animation exploring animal antics.
• The Ragtime Bear: An animation enshrining pastoral melodies.
• The Wonder Gloves: Quirky gloves create chaos in this animated affair.
• Georgie and the Dragon: Animation melding fantasy with comedic relief.
• Madeline: Adaptation of the beloved children's series.
• Pete Hothead: A fiery animation packed with humor.
• The Tell-Tale Heart: A chilling animated narration of Poe's story.
• When Magoo Flew: Mr. Magoo’s amusing airborne escapade.
• The Man on the Flying Trapeze: Animation capturing acrobatic ambition.
• Christopher Crumpet's Playmate: Light-hearted animated storytelling.
• Stage Door Magoo: Mr. Magoo in theatrical mishaps.
• April in Portugal: Animated travelog exploring cultural sites.
• The ChubbChubbs!: Academy Award-winning animated comedy.
• The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm: Animated short with a clever twist.
• Puppy! A Hotel Transylvania Short: Animation side-story from the popular franchise.

The second volume of the Columbia Classics Collection delivers an eclectic yet cohesive mix of six films, each offering a unique narrative and visual experience. With Otto Preminger's "Anatomy of a Murder," viewers are treated to a meticulously detailed courtroom drama that stands as a pinnacle in the genre. The film's adherence to legal realism, coupled with its compelling script by Wendell Mayes, offers a rare depiction of the intricacies involved in crafting a legal defense. This authenticity, enhanced by its pristine 4K restoration, cements its place as an indispensable classic in American cinema.

"Oliver!" presents a vibrant yet occasionally discordant musical adaptation of Dickens' classic tale. While the production's energy and Sir Carol Reed's direction are commendable, the tonal inconsistencies in certain musical numbers, particularly "As Long as He Needs Me," might detract from the film's emotional resonance. Nonetheless, Shani Wallis delivers an exceptional performance, and the 4K transfer highlights the film's visual and musical charms with stunning clarity.

Conversely, Martin Scorsese’s "Taxi Driver" remains a timeless exploration of urban alienation and psychological trauma. Its enigmatic finale continues to provoke discussion, reflecting Scorsese's deft narrative choices that invite varied interpretations—from a cycle of vigilantism to the hallucinations of a disturbed mind. The 4K presentation amplifies the film’s gritty aesthetic, immersively enhancing its unsettling portrayal of 1970s New York.

Each film in this collection navigates themes of isolation and societal displacement, contributing to a diverse tapestry that is both visually striking and emotionally engaging. The deluxe boxset presentation further enriches the viewing experience, pairing each meticulous 4K restoration with comprehensive historical insights, thus inviting both enthusiasts and newcomers to revisit these cinematic landmarks.

The "Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 2" is a meticulously curated 4K UHD Blu-ray compilation that successfully bridges classic cinema with contemporary fan favorites. Comprising six films, this set showcases Sony's commitment to preserving iconic titles in stunning 4K resolution, with remarkable attention to detail in both video and audio presentations. The collection includes expertly restored classics such as "Anatomy of a Murder," lauded as one of the finest courtroom thrillers, and "Taxi Driver," a masterful collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. Complementing these are modern entries like "The Social Network," where the inclusion of Atmos audio enriches the viewing experience, despite not shining as brightly in 4K.

Sony's engagement with fans via surveys underscores the thoughtful selection process for this volume, featuring substantial titles across varied genres. However, such curation poses a challenge: while the collection offers content of exceptional quality, it may not appeal to everyone equally. For cinephiles intrigued by multiple titles, the set undoubtedly justifies its price. Yet, potential buyers interested in one or two films may find it a hefty investment absent individual releases. Nevertheless, the added value of a bonus disc of classic shorts and a collectible booklet amplifies the attractiveness for enthusiasts of cinematic history.

In conclusion, this set is, externally, every bit as elegant as the first. Internally, the six films make for a great collection of content, both considering the films themselves and the UHD presentations. Every one is well worth the price of admission. This boxed set earns my highest recommendation and is likely to top my best-of list for 2021.