Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Young Guns 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman December 2, 2023

Those who like archaeology (or something at least a little bit like it) may be interested to hear that the original Blu-ray release of Young Guns came out in 2007 and, to paraphrase a term of art from music charts, made the "Top 200" of our database, being the 137th addition to it. In his 2007 Young Guns Blu-ray review of that now "ancient" version, Martin Liebman lamented the video quality of the release while also stating it was probably going to be some time before Lionsgate ever released what Marty assumed would be an "inevitable special edition". I've been joking for years about Lionsgate's frankly gobsmacking "strategy" with regard to its 4K UHD releases, offering a tongue in cheek opinion that several of their 4K outings seemed to have been designed to simply get rid of 1080 remainders of older transfers, also typically included in Lionsgate's 4K packages. Commendably, though, that is not the case here, as both the 1080 and 4K UHD discs appear to be newer efforts, which should make fans of the film happy.

For a plot summary, consult Marty's review of the original 1080 release, linked to above. As I can't help but repeat, "different reviewers means different opinions", and those who keep track of scores will note I'm evidently a bit more of a fan of this film than Marty is.

Young Guns 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc included in this package.

Young Guns is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Lionsgate's press release offers a minimal statement that this is "a brand-new transfer featuring Dolby Vision HDR", but that may be more than enough to indicate that both the 1080 and 2160 versions of the film included in this package are manifest improvements over the old 1080 release (weirdly, Lionsgate's press release mistakenly states that this is the first Blu-ray release of the film). The original release was in 1.78:1, and as you can see from the screenshots included in Marty's review, there was a kind of odd black line running up the left side of the frame. This release offers the correct aspect ratio and much more secure presentational ambience overall, though both the 1080 and 4K versions can have some pretty rough looking grain at times, especially in some of the "tweaked" imagery or even in admittedly inconsequential moments like the Morgan Creek masthead. On the whole, though, grain is surprisingly tightly resolved. Detail levels are typically excellent throughout, and while I wouldn't say Dolby Vision and/or HDR offer huge differences in the palette when compared to the 1080 disc in this package, there are some subtle improvements in shadow detail in some of the darkest scenes. There is occasionally a slightly cool slate blue undertone to some of the imagery, as in the opening establishing shots of the town. The brightly lit outdoor material pops extremely well and more often than not offers really superb fine detail levels.

Young Guns 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Young Guns also enjoys an audio uptick with both a Dolby Atmos track and lossless LPCM 2.0 track offering the film's original theatrical presentation. The stereo track is perfectly fine, but the Atmos track significantly opens things up starting with incredibly immersive gunfire during the film's credits sequences, but then continuing apace for all manner of sound effects, including the background clamor of early west settlements, the thundering hooves of galloping horses, and a lot of nicely done ambient environmental effects in the many outdoor sequences. Directionality is typically very smartly handled, and can affect not just foley and other effects, but dialogue as well. The at times anachronistic score is also nicely positioned in the side and rear channels throughout. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

Young Guns 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Both the 4K UHD and 1080 discs in this package sport the same slate of supplements:

• Audio Commentary with Lou Diamond Phillips, Dermot Mulroney and Casey Siemaszko


• How the West Was Wild: Making Young Guns (HD; 35:51) is a decent EPK that has some good interviews including writer John Fusco, Lou Diamond Phillips and director Christopher Cain.


• Billy the Kid: The True Story (HD; 32:17) is ported over from the release Marty reviewed.


• Teaser Trailer (HD; 1:16)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:28)

Additionally a digital copy is enclosed and packaging features a slipcover.

Young Guns 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Those with a jaded sense of humor and a political bent may recall that Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy purloined the "young guns" moniker to describe themselves as a "new breed" of Republican lawmakers back circa 2010 or so. It's perhaps more than a bit ironic that those three "desperados" met the same figurative fate as several of the characters in this film. As "real" history, Young Guns is probably just as laughable as thinking of members of Congress as some kind of superhero, but the film has its own quirky energy and the casting is interesting, not necessarily limited to the more youthful members. This new 4K UHD release offers noticeably improved video and audio on both its 1080 and 2160 discs, and comes Recommended.