Jaws: The Revenge 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Jaws: The Revenge" presents a remarkable improvement over its previous iterations, addressing many of the issues that marred earlier versions. The fine detail is astounding, capturing every minute element such as the grains of sand and shells on the shoreline with exceptional precision. Skin tones appear realistic and healthy for most of the film, although there are rare moments where they veer into a slightly reddish hue. The color palette benefits immensely from this upgrade, featuring dynamic primaries, like the vibrant yellow police raincoat and the brilliant illumination of dockside lights. Particularly noteworthy is how the hues of the water are rendered, exhibiting a natural gradation from turquoise to various shades of blue, delivering a visually captivating maritime environment.

Furthermore, the black levels achieve a commendable depth. Although they occasionally approach troublesome territories observed in past versions, this issue is substantially mitigated here. Grain is present yet highly refined, maintaining an organic look that enhances the overall filmic quality. HDR implementation brings a significant boost to peak brightness and adds noticeable impact to scenes like those with Christmas lights during opening sequences in Amity.

This remastering offers a sharper image with a fine grain structure that enhances definition without overwhelming. The scenes set in the Bahamas and underwater sequences are rendered flawlessly, offering crystal-clear visuals that stand out against older, faded releases. Colors burst with vitality, achieving spectacular saturation while preserving their natural essence. This UHD presentation ensures "Jaws: The Revenge" has never looked better, validating it as a definitive visual experience for fans and newcomers alike.

The upgraded Dolby Atmos track for "Jaws: The Revenge" excels in delivering a well-rounded and immersive audio experience. The score envelops the listener from the opening scenes, with musical accents during shark attacks enhancing the intensity. Although not perpetually immersive, strategic moments of heightened ambiance and environmental soundscapes are employed effectively. The bass contributes depth to both musical and underwater elements, enhancing the overall aural richness without becoming overwhelming. Dialogue clarity is impeccable, with screams remaining sharp and undistorted. Directionality ensures smooth and natural sound movement, presenting a substantial improvement for a film approaching its 40th anniversary.

The Atmos implementation stands out with its adept utilization of the surround sound stage, transforming an early stereo track into a more dynamic experience. Water effects and buoy bells resonate across the speakers, providing an impressively balanced audio environment. Channel separation is particularly notable, offering precision that belies the original recording's age. Low-end effects, such as thunder and impactful sequences involving the shark, are executed with satisfying power, adding depth to critical moments. Overall, this Dolby Atmos track achieves a significant enhancement of the film's auditory experience, making it a laudable choice for home viewing.

This 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Jaws: The Revenge" maintains the consistency observed in prior editions by preserving the on-disc bonus features from previous Blu-ray formats. This disc includes the more somber alternate ending, which offers a fresh perspective on the film's conclusion. The theatrical trailer, while presented in standard definition, serves as a nostalgic window to the original promotional efforts. Despite being limited in number, these extras provide fans with appreciated insights and historical context for this polarizing sequel. Technically, the transfer quality and audio balance are excellent, ensuring an immersive viewing experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alternate Ending: A slightly less optimistic and humorous ending than what was ultimately used for the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original theatrical trailer in SD.

"Jaws: The Revenge" arrives on 4K UHD courtesy of Universal, featuring a pleasing 2160p transfer and a surprising Dolby Atmos audio track. Despite its notorious reputation, this third sequel includes notable performances from cinema veterans Michael Caine and Mario Van Peebles. While Universal hasn't added new special features, the package comes complete with a Blu-ray disc, slipcover, and Digital Code redeemable through Movies Anywhere.

The premise of "Jaws: The Revenge" stretches believability to its limits by having Ellen Brody (Lorraine Gary) travel approximately 1500 miles from Amity/Martha’s Vineyard to the Bahamas, followed mysteriously by a vengeful shark. Under the competent direction of Joseph Sargent, this film becomes an oddly tender drama about family trauma rather than a pure horror flick. Lorraine Gary's portrayal of a grieving widow imbues her character with a sense of sensible outlandishness, turning the shark's vendetta into an extension of her grief.

Though the film ventures into the territory of absurdity – including a shark that roars and an inexplicable explosion triggered by Brody’s boat – it manages to balance emotional moments with palpable tension, especially during an underwater attack on Michael (Lance Guest). While Michael Caine’s role as Hoagie provides some charm, his romantic arc with Ellen remains unresolved, teasing potential narratives that were ultimately cut short in this infamous franchise finale. Fans of the film may find this release compelling not for its logical consistency, but for its curious blend of camp and cathartic narrative.

Review 1: The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Jaws: The Revenge" offers a commendable visual upgrade, with the 2160p transfer delivering sharp and detailed imagery that significantly improves over previous releases. Colors appear more vivid, and the added depth enhances the overall viewing experience. The audio has also been treated with a substantial improvement, with the new Dolby Atmos track providing an immersive soundscape that captures the film's tension and atmosphere effectively. While the movie itself continues to divide audiences, fans of the Jaws franchise will appreciate the technical enhancements brought by this release.

Review 2: Despite its questionable plot choices, "Jaws: The Revenge" receives a noteworthy restoration on 4K UHD Blu-ray. The transfer is crisp, showcasing excellent dynamics, particularly in outdoor and marine scenes. The upgraded Dolby Atmos audio track serves as a significant enhancement, rendering sound effects with clarity and precision. However, the film's narrative flaws and far-fetched premise remain evident. Enthusiasts of the Jaws series will find a nostalgic value in this edition, even if the movie does not rank highly within the franchise.

Review 3: The newly minted 4K UHD version of "Jaws: The Revenge" exemplifies stellar picture quality with a 2160p transfer that revitalizes the film's visual elements. The restoration work is apparent with heightened clarity and color accuracy that brings new life to each frame. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack supplements this with remarkable audio clarity, delivering an engaging auditory experience. The film's storyline certainly lacks the finesse of its predecessors, but the technical presentation is undeniably superior. This iteration is a treat for dedicated series fans seeking to complete their collection.

The 4K UHD release of "Jaws: The Revenge" represents a significant technical advancement over previous editions. The precise 2160p transfer offers an immersive visual presentation with enhanced color depth, refined detail, and clarity that brings a fresh perspective to this controversial film. Noteworthy is how this upgrade accentuates the outdoor and underwater sequences, providing an enriched viewing experience. The Dolby Atmos audio track is equally impressive, delivering clear and immersive sound that elevates the film's tension.

Despite its storied reputation for an uneven plot and curious narrative decisions, including the infamous "voodoo shark" concept, this release serves as a nostalgic trip for dedicated fans of the Jaws franchise. Michael Caine and Mario Van Peebles deliver wild performances while Lorraine Gary's portrayal of Ellen Brody holds a memorable, albeit over-the-top, place in cinematic history. Technical upgrades in both visual and audio domains make this edition stand out, giving viewers a more visually and sonically engaging experience.

While "Jaws: The Revenge" may not enjoy universal acclaim for its storytelling, the 4K UHD restoration allows both fans and new viewers to appreciate the film's aesthetic qualities fully. The meticulously executed visual and audio enhancements provide substantial enjoyment, making it a recommended pick for enthusiasts of classic shark thrillers.

The 2160p transfer doesn't make the film any less strange, but it does allow viewers to simply focus on the story and the wild performances from Michael Caine and Mario Van Peebles. It's also hard to take one's eyes off Lorraine Gary and her uniquely over-the-top final reprisal of the role of Ellen Brody in what was to be her last film appearance. The Dolby Atmos track is likewise a pleasant but unexpected improvement. While the film wasn't well-received upon its release, it still remains my favorite of the Jaws sequels. For fans of the series and the film, Jaws: The Revenge 4K comes Recommended.