Airplane! 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Airplane!" showcases a commendable visual enhancement over its predecessors, utilizing the same master from the 2020 Paramount Presents series with the addition of Dolby Vision. This edition markedly improves upon critical textural details, particularly in instances such as the cockpit’s instrument clusters and close-ups of characters, resulting in sharper, more legible images and an overall quality increase. The 2160p resolution and noise-free encode effectively elevate clarity and detail across the board, making it the definitive version for home viewing, even if not a groundbreaking leap.

While "Airplane!" is inherently unassuming in its color demands, the Dolby Vision grading subtly enhances certain aspects, infusing more natural vibrancy into hues like those of the inflatable pilot. Skin tones appear lifelike and the refined black levels stand out, particularly on pilot suits. Whites are notably brighter, as seen on dress shirts and in the film's title screen. Despite the advancements, vibrant scenes, such as those in the disco sequence at the airport, maintain a balanced color spectrum with minor enhancements in their visual energy.

Overall, while "Airplane!" doesn’t showcase a radical rediscovery of its visual identity with this upgrade, it does benefit from clear improvements in resolution and color depth. Fans will appreciate Paramount's meticulous handling in retaining a filmic texture without succumbing to excessive modern color grading techniques. Absent of any severe print defects or encoding issues, this release serves as the best visual presentation of the classic comedy to date, offering appreciable enhancements for those seeking optimal viewing quality.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Airplane!" offers an audio presentation that faithfully replicates the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack from its 2011 Blu-ray predecessor. This audio mix predominantly operates as a stereo extension, with Elmer Bernstein’s iconic score benefitting from exceptional clarity and a commendable range that elevates the listening experience. However, the mix maintains a predominantly frontal focus, with dialogue anchored securely in the center channel, ensuring crisp and direct communication integral to the film's comedic timing.

While the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is competent in preserving the original sonic environment of the film, it offers minimal activity in the rear channels. The surround elements are largely limited to the subtle extension of the score, which may result in a less immersive experience compared to modern standards of surround sound utilization. Nevertheless, within the context of such a classic comedy, this understated mix remains fitting, providing a clean and straightforward presentation that aligns with the movie's original auditory intent.

Despite the limited exploitation of surround sound dynamics, this audio track effectively captures the essence of "Airplane!" with its focused delivery and unobtrusive support of the film's humor. Enthusiasts expecting a transformative or more detailed surround sound experience may find the mix traditional, yet those seeking to revisit this classic in its authentic audio form will appreciate this release’s fidelity to its original roots.

The 4K UHD release of "Airplane!" retains its extras on the accompanying Blu-ray disc from the 2020 edition, celebrating the timeless comedy’s impact with various engaging features. Paramount provides a lively, insightful audio commentary from producer Jon Davison and creators Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, and David Zucker. Notably, this release omits these from the UHD disc itself—an oversight considering the wealth of content provided. The collection includes a filmmaker focus, reflecting on the film's enduring legacy, alongside an isolated score track offering an immersive auditory experience. Enthusiasts also have access to a Q&A session held during the film's 40th anniversary screening in 2020. Although physically packaged within the ZAZ: The Collection! boxed set, these offerings sustain the charm of this classic comedy for updated home entertainment formats.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Insights from Producer Jon Davison and Writers/Directors Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, and David Zucker.
• Isolated Score Track: Experience the film’s music independently.
• Filmmaker Focus: The Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams reflect on "Airplane!"
• Q&A With the Directors of Airplane!: Insights from a 40th-anniversary screening event.

Paramount Home Entertainment's UHD release of the comedy classic "Airplane!" offers a notable audiovisual enhancement with its 2160p resolution and Dolby Vision HDR. The film's new UHD home viewing experience enhances the vividness of the outrageous visual gags and slapstick humor, integral to its storytelling. Paramount's decision to retain the film’s existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack ensures that the original sound design, crucial to delivering punchlines and comedic timing, remains intact. While the UHD disc is devoid of any new extras, it packages the movie with its 2020 Blu-ray counterpart, effectively preserving the previously available bonus materials for those interested in additional content. This release, part of the ZAZ: The Collection!, also features newly upgraded UHD versions of “Top Secret!” and “The Naked Gun.”

"Airplane!" retains its irreverent comedic edge through its unfettered satire that challenges societal norms and biases with no topic deemed untouchable. The film's humor, often derived from misdirection and daring improvisation, continues to resonate, especially as it leverages politically incorrect jokes ranging from pedophilia to religious satire. It features an outlandishly flamboyant character, Johnny, played by Stephen Stucker, whose exaggerated performance injects a relentless energy throughout the film. The effectiveness of its humor is heightened in this UHD transfer, enhancing every comedic nuance in crisp detail.

Ultimately, “Airplane!” maintains its place as a comedy without bounds. With this release, Paramount revitalizes a film whose comedic charm lies in its constant delivery of non-stop gags, even during its concluding credits, and through jokes that push societal boundaries for comedic effect. The result is a high-definition celebration of a classic that bravely satirizes controversial themes while offering a timeless laugh-out-loud experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Airplane!" brings a beloved comedic classic to modern high-definition standards, albeit with modest improvements. The film, known for its timeless humor and iconic one-liners, benefits from the enhanced resolution, which provides sharper visuals and more vibrant colors. While the upgrade from the 2020 Blu-ray version is subtle, it nonetheless enhances the viewing experience of this consistently entertaining narrative. The picture quality sees a notable improvement, with more defined detail and contrast that emphasize the classic visual gags this film is known for.

Audio enthusiasts may be slightly disappointed, as this release does not feature upgraded audio tracks or new extras. Paramount has adhered to their typical protocol by maintaining the existing audio presentation from previous Blu-ray editions. Nevertheless, the soundtrack remains clear, ensuring that the wonderful comedic timing and iconic lines resonate with the same impact as always. Despite the absence of new supplemental content, this release is a valuable addition to any comedy aficionado's collection due to the merit of its visual enhancements alone.

In conclusion, while hardcore fans might consider waiting for a possible SteelBook release, this edition still offers a commendable update for those eager to enjoy "Airplane!" in Ultra High Definition now. The execution fulfills expectations, if not exceeding them. Given the film’s enduring humor and quotability, this release is recommended for anyone seeking a new way to appreciate one of cinema’s funniest movies.