Aladdin 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Aladdin 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 2, 2019

Disney has opened the vault to re-release the treasured 1992 animated Musical 'Aladdin' to the UHD format. The presentation features new 2160p/HDR-encoded video, a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, and a large assortment of extra content both on the included Blu-ray and digitally. This release, as well as the companion 1080p Blu-ray, are part of Disney's 'Signature Collection.' This represents the third classic Disney animated title to release under the label and on the 4K format following 'The Lion King' and 'The Little Mermaid.'

For a full film review, please see Kenneth Brown's writing accompanying the 2015 Diamond edition release here.

Aladdin 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Aladdin soars onto the UHD format with a 2160p/HDR transfer that isn't transformative compared to either the new companion release Signature Blu-ray or the elder Diamond Edition. All three offer very capable images that don't differentiate all that much form one another. The most obvious difference is that this UHD, and its Signature counterpart, are now framed at 1.66:1, placing vertical "black bars" on either side of the 1.78:1 display and retaining the intended theatrical exhibition ratio. The older Diamond Blu-ray was framed at 1.85:1, resulting in thin horizontal "black bars" above and below the picture.

As formant veterans might expect, there's not a drastic increase in sharpness between the UHD and the Signature Blu-ray (which is itself only a subtle departure from the Diamond Blu-ray). Line clarity might be a little superior and some of the more textured static backgrounds enjoy an ever-so-slight improvement to raw detailing, but there are certainly no gargantuan differences in terms of texture visibility or sharpness. The image, under the HDR color parameters, does appear a bit more glossy. There's a sheen to the UHD that's not quite to the same level on the Blu-ray and adds a slight feel of depth and clarity. The HDR color spectrum darkens the image across the board. Low light and nighttime scenes, of which there are many, appear more unforgivingly dense but never to the picture's detriment; such scenes appear more solidified in the absence of the Blu-ray's greater brightness. Colors are much more deep across the board. Blues are more dynamic (night skies, the genie), reds are more robust, golds are shinier, and earthen terrains and structures appear with improved density. It's not a transformation but it's certainly a combination of turning down brightness and adding contrast and depth. It plays very well in motion and never feels overly dark but stopping to make the A-B comparisons reveals just how different the releases are.

Aladdin 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Disney's Dolby Atmos soundtrack for Aladdin clearly suffers from low reference level volume, typical of the studio's audio output of recent years. It's not hushed at this level, but it's definitely wanting for more stage command. Turning it up several decibels yields a satisfying sonic presentation. When Jafar follows a trail and encounters the Cave of Wonders rising from the sand, there's plenty of surround integration, object movement, and solid low end response, the first of several high yield and high impact audio moments the track has on offer. Music is well rounded. Score and song alike soar, with the former delivering wide front end stretch and impressive surround integration while the latter offers pleasing lyrical expansion with clearly identifiable voices off to the sides and through the back in various songs, notably during "One Jump Ahead." Various street level details spring to life to effortlessly pull the listener into the world of Agrabah; listeners will hear all of the merchants and various examples of chit-chat and other environmental effects bringing the location to life. Basic dialogue is perfectly presented while reverb bounces about the sage where applicable, such as when Jasmine confronts Jafar in a palatial space in chapter seven and when Aladdin first meets the Genie in chapter 11. This is a very good and satisfyingly impressive track once the volume known is adjusted.

Aladdin 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Aladdin's signature UHD does not include any extras. The bundled Signature Blu-ray contains some (including several that are new) but many are available only on the digital version. Below is a breakdown of what is new and returning and what can be found where.

Blu-Ray:

• Sing-Along with the Movie
• NEW! Aladdin on Aladdin (1080p, 30:27): A new interview with Scott Weinger, who voiced Aladdin in the film. He reconnects with various individuals to talk up the movie and life over the years. Also on digital.
• NEW! Let's Not Be Too Hasty: The Voices of Aladdin (1080p, 2:58): A montage of voice recording sessions set against corresponding clips from the film. Also on digital.
• NEW! Alternate Endings (1080p, 2:05): A pair of alternate endings with text intros. Also on digital.
• NEW! Classic Bonus Preview (1080p, 0:59): A preview for the vintage extras that appeared on previous home video releases and are now only available digitally.
• The Genie Outtakes Also on digital.
• Aladdin: Creating Broadway Magic. Also on digital.
• Genie 101 Also on digital.
• Ron & John: You Ain't Never Had a Friend Like Me Also on digital.
• SEMI-NEW! Song Selection: Note that the "Reprise" versions were not included on the Diamond Edition. Included are "Arabian Nights," "One Jump Ahead," "One Jump Ahead Reprise," "Friend Like Me," "Prince Ali," "A Whole New World," and "Prince Ali Reprise."
• Audio Commentary: Producers/Directors John Musker and Ron Clements & Co-Producer Amy Pell. Also on digital.
• Audio Commentary: Supervising Animators Andreas Deja, Will Finn, Eric Goldberg and Glen Keane. Also on digital.

Digital only supplements:

• Alan Menken: Music Renaissance Man
• The Art of Aladdin: Art Review with Filmmakers' Commentary
• NEW! Drawing Genie (HD, 2:12): Supervising Animator Eric Goldberg discusses his life as an animator, his influences, and the joy he finds in animated characters, all while drawing Genie.
• The Genie World Tour
• Inside the Genie's Lamp: Guided Tour
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Unboxing Aladdin
• Deleted Scene: Aladdin in the Lap of Luxury
• Deleted Scene: Aladdin & Jasmine's First Meeting
• Anti-Smoking PSA
• Behind the Scenes "A Whole New World" Performed by Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey
• Behind the Scenes "Proud of Your Boy" Performed by Clay Aiken
• Music Video "Proud of Your Boy" Performed by Clay Aiken
• "A Whole New World" Music Video Performed by Regina Belle & Peabo Bryson
• "A Whole New World" Music Video Performed by Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey
• A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin: The Animators
• A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin: The Music
• A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin: The Producers
• A Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin: The Voice Talent

The following extras appeared on the Diamond Edition but do not appear to have been carried over either on disc or digitally:

• "Made You Look" Segment from Diamond in the Rough
• Deleted Songs: "Proud of Your Boy, Original Demo," "You Can Count on Me," "Humiliate the Boy," and "Why Me."
• Trailers: For the Aladdin sequels.
• "Proud of Your Boy" Original Story Reel

Aladdin 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Aladdin's UHD finds its most significant change in the HDR color spectrum. It's a darker but also glossier and more colorfully dense presentation. The Atmos audio is quite good with the volume upwardly adjusted. No extras appear on the UHD disc. Some are on the bundled Blu-ray and many are digital only. Highly recommended.