The Final Countdown 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "The Final Countdown" offers an exemplary home video experience, courtesy of Blue Underground. The disc showcases a pristine native 4K image (3840x2160/24p BT.2020) with Dolby Vision, employing the HEVC (H.265) codec for HDR10, which results in a visual feast that outshines its predecessors. This meticulous transfer is sourced from a new 4K master, scanned in 4K 16-bit from the original 35mm camera negative, further refined with an exclusive restoration effort. The film's presentation benefits from a Wide Color Gamut (WCG), High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Dolby Vision, enriching the visual palette with vibrant colors and deep, inky blacks. Detail is exceptional throughout, with the film's original aspect ratio of widescreen 2.39:1 maintained, ensuring that every frame from the majestic sunrise/sunset sequences to the intricate details of military machinery and uniforms is displayed with stunning clarity and depth.

Colors are remarkably well-rendered, offering a warmth and vibrancy that complement the film's aesthetic, from the vivid hues of deck crew gear to the natural flesh tones of characters. The meticulous color grading ensures that even the most subtle nuances are preserved, bringing to life the cerulean skies, teal oceans, and the bluish-cyan tint of the carrier itself with dynamic richness. The contrast and brightness levels are finely balanced, producing brighter whites and richer blacks that enhance the filmic quality and maintain its organic appearance. Specular highlights contribute to the visual depth, giving a realistic sheen to metallic surfaces and adding brilliance to illuminated scenes.

Despite the limitations imposed by its budget, "The Final Countdown" benefits immensely from this 4K UHD release, which showcases the film's vast scope and meticulous detail in a manner that was previously unattainable. The restoration work is both respectful of the original source material and ambitious in its execution, resulting in an image quality that stands as one of the best in the 4K Blu-ray domain. Its array of colors, combined with superior clarity and detail, breathes new life into this cult classic, affirming its status as a technical marvel in home cinema. The integration of Dolby Vision HDR further elevates the viewing experience, striking an impressive balance between preserving the film's authentic look and enhancing its visual impact for contemporary audiences.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Final Countdown" enhances the home cinema experience with a meticulously crafted Dolby Atmos soundtrack, that while not positioning itself as a benchmark in modern auditory experiences, significantly elevates the film's original sound design with its object-based audio track. This upgrade enriches the film dynamically, starting with an intense engine thrum that brings the Nimitz aircraft carrier and its assortments of planes to life in a strikingly tangible way. The Atmos track excels in prioritizing dialogue, ensuring clarity and stability throughout, while it masterfully utilizes its array of speakers to create a vivid soundscape. The roaring of jets and the ambiance of carrier deck operations fill the room, with overhead channels subtly engaging to enhance the immersion without overstating their presence. Despite some fidelity limitations reflective of the film's age, the overall depth and dynamic intensity of the soundtrack teeter on a commendable upgrade from its prior iterations, boasting an impressively broadened sound field.

The inclusion of various audio tracks including DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 mixes, alongside the French DTS-HD MA 2.0 option, accompanied by multiple subtitle choices, provides an adaptable viewing experience. However, it is the Dolby Atmos mix that stands out by transforming vintage audio into an engaging, contemporary listening encounter. The meticulously mixed soundtrack makes effective use of atmospherics and discrete sound objects to create layers that enhance the film’s cinematography. Notably, the mix enhances John Scott's musical score and engine-based sounds with a palpable rumble that, while not room-shaking, adds a significant feeling of substance. The Atmos track innovatively remaps the soundstage; making flying jets and helicopter rotors not only audibly impressive but spatially dynamic, moving seamlessly from front to rear speakers, adding an enriching layer of realism to the viewing experience without sacrificing the integrity of the original sound design.

Blue Underground's 4K UHD release of "The Final Countdown" goes above and beyond to deliver a comprehensively packed extras section, ensuring that enthusiasts and collectors alike find substantial value. Not just content with a standard upgrade, this release enhances the viewing experience with essential behind-the-scenes insights and promotional material, all in stunning 4K where applicable. The inclusion of an audio commentary by Director of Photography Victor J. Kemper offers intriguing anecdotes about the production, complemented by two detailed featurettes — one featuring Lloyd Kaufman's candid reflections on the film's development and another capturing the unique experiences of the VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" pilots. Promotional materials are not only extensive, presenting a wealth of posters, stills, and lobby cards in high definition, but also feature newly restored trailers and TV spots in native 4K with HDR. Adding to the allure, the set is rounded off with a soundtrack CD, a collectible booklet, and first pressings receive a special lenticular slipcover, making this package a must-have for fans and cinephiles.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Director of Photography Victor J. Kemper
• Lloyd Kaufman Goes Hollywood: Interview with Associate Producer Lloyd Kaufman
• Starring The Jolly Rogers: Interviews with The Jolly Rogers F-14 Fighter Squadron
• Theatrical Trailers
• TV Spots
• Poster & Still Galleries
• BONUS! THE FINAL COUNTDOWN Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by John Scott
• BONUS! Collectible Booklet featuring The Zero Pilot Journal
• BONUS! 3D Lenticular Slipcover (First Pressing Only)

The Final Countdown" delivered through the 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation by Blue Underground stands as a testament to the enduring allure of practical effects in filmmaking and the unique charm of 1980s cinema. While not as revered as the likes of "Top Gun" for its aerial spectacles, the film distinguishingly benefits from genuine US Navy cooperation, offering an unparalleled look at naval operations and aircraft maneuvers. The F-14 Tomcats, A-6 Intruders, and Sea Kings, among others, take center stage, bringing an authentic military touch rarely matched by contemporary productions heavily reliant on digital effects. The choice to film on the genuine U.S.S Nimitz lends itself to an unmatched authenticity that modern CGI-laden films struggle to emulate. However, it's evident that this emphasis on realism sacrifices conventional narrative dynamism, positioning "The Final Countdown" more as a military maneuvers showcase than a traditional time-travel thriller.

A narrative that weaves together military drama with science fiction, "The Final Countdown" provokes through its central moral quandary — whether to alter history's course when presented with the power to do so. Kirk Douglas’s portrayal of the USS Nimitz’s captain, caught in a temporal storm that transports the carrier back to the eve of Pearl Harbor, captivates with a performance marked by gravitas and introspection. Despite this intriguing premise, the film is criticized for its cautious approach, eschewing the full potential of its imaginative setup for a more restrained exploration of ethical dilemmas and strategic deliberation. This restraint might detract from its appeal to viewers seeking the thrill of action-packed altercations or deep sci-fi explorations.

Compelling moments arise not from extravagant battle scenes but from the introspective challenges posed by tampering with time — encapsulated aptly in a pivotal scene among Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, James Farentino, and Ron O’Neal’s characters. Their confrontation underscores the movie's thematic focus on the weight of historical interference over pure spectacle. Yet, such moments coexist with criticisms regarding the film's narrative execution; where "The Final Countdown" could have delved deeper into the complexities of its premise, it instead opts for showcasing military prowess. This decision casts the film as a document of its time, grappling with Cold War sensibilities and showcasing a pronounced military ethos that may resonate differently with contemporary audiences. Overall, while "The Final Countdown" remains a niche classic within the sci-fi war genre, it stands as a peculiar blend of missed narrative opportunities and a remarkable commitment to authenticity.

The Blue Underground release of Don Taylor's "The Final Countdown" on 4K UHD Blu-ray is a significant leap forward for fans of this unique, if somewhat underdeveloped, sci-fi narrative. Despite its lackluster plot and somewhat pedestrian direction, the film has earned a cult following over the last four decades, largely due to its intriguing moral quandary and impressive real military footage. This new edition, commemorating the film’s 40th anniversary, boasts an exceptional 4K restoration with Dolby Vision HDR that breathes new life into the Naval aerial maneuvers and time-travel visuals, complemented by a highly satisfying Dolby Atmos soundtrack. While the storyline about a modern supercarrier traveling back in time to the eve of the Pearl Harbor attack may not offer complex sci-fi twists, it remains engaging for its fans, especially with such a significant upgrade in audio/visual presentation.

The collector's package is, without a doubt, lavish and comprehensive—tailored for the movie's enthusiasts. Alongside the visually striking 4K restoration, the set includes a plethora of extras such as a CD soundtrack and collectibles, making it a must-have edition that outshines previous releases. The commitments from Blue Underground to both film restoration quality and fan appreciation are evident, cementing this release as the definitive version of the film. The decision to make the discs region-free further broadens its appeal to an international audience.

In conclusion, "The Final Countdown" 4K UHD Blu-ray release represents a pinnacle of home media presentation for a film that, despite its storytelling flaws, stands out for its conceptual boldness and historical curiosity. Its enhanced video and audio capabilities encapsulate the best way to experience the film’s unique blend of Cold War bravado and sci-fi intrigue. Fans and newcomers alike will find this edition a rewarding investment, not only as a piece of entertainment but also as a collector's item that celebrates the enduring appeal of an untraditional cult classic. Highly recommended for its comprehensive packaging and audio/visual mastery, this release is a significant milestone in preserving and appreciating "The Final Countdown" for current and future generations.