8.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
In the 1970s, a high school boy is given an opportunity to follow and write a story about the hot new rock band Stillwater as they tour the USA.
Starring: Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Patrick FugitDrama | 100% |
Period | 66% |
Coming of age | 55% |
Music | 50% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 0.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Paramount has released Director Cameron's Crowe's signature film 'Almost Famous' to the UHD format. This two-disc set includes both the Theatrical Cut (2:03:13) and the Bootleg Cut (2:41:29). New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video. No new audio track is included; Paramount simply recycles the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. A few extras are scattered across both discs. At time of writing, the 4K presentation is only available in collectible SteelBook packaging.
Paramount brings Almost Famous to the UHD format with a top-end 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation. The picture shines on the format,
holding fast and true to its filmic roots and retaining a steady, natural, and pleasing grain structure that accentuates the picture for the duration. The
film is naturally sharp -- there's no apparent processing to add sharpness -- and the result is a finely detailed and handsomely textured output that
allows audiences to feel the period textures, explore the characters with intimate clarity, and experience the ebbs and flows of the Rock 'N' Roll road
life. Every album cover crease, fabric detail, facial hair, and environmental texture reach their fullest potential for essential accuracy and intricacy. The
picture is certainly a high step above the decade-old Blu-ray, offering here a large boost to grain accuracy and stability, detail clarity, and color
superiority. Indeed, the Dolby Vision grading brings a sense of tonal accuracy and health to the picture that is well beyond the old disc, offering here a
palette that stays absolutely true to the film's period look which accentuates the neutral browns and ambers that seem so prevalent while at the same
time offering superior contrast and expressiveness to bolder splashes of red, blue, green, and other bright colors in support. Black levels are excellent,
always
the epitome of deep, true, and accurate. Whites are crisp and bright, particularly as seen on the opening titles. Skin tones appear spot-on accurate. The
picture shows no signs of obvious print wear or encode anomalies. This is a first-rate UHD presentation from Paramount.
Note that there appears to be no differences in video quality output between the Theatrical and Bootleg versions; the latter blends the new material
seamlessly into the experience for a full package UHD experience. Each cut is given its own disc.
Almost Famous' UHD discs include the legacy DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. For a full review, please click here.
Almost Famous' Theatrical cut disc includes a wealth of content, both new for this release ("New Releases") and legacy ("Greatest Hits")
alike. The Bootleg cut
disc includes only one extra: the legacy audio commentary track. For full coverage of the legacy supplemental content, please click here. See below for a brief description of the SteelBook
packaging.
Theatrical Feature Film Disc:
Paramount has gone the extra mile for the new definitive home video release of Almost Famous: two discs, two cuts, superb picture quality,
and several
new extras, along with the returning legacy content, make this a must-own. It's a shame the audio was not re-encoded into Dolby Atmos but the 5.1
track serves the film well enough. The SteelBook is very attractive, too. Very highly recommended.
Note that Paramount has also the film to Blu-ray as part of the "Paramount Presents" line.
Director's Edition | The Bootleg Cut
2000
Director's Edition | The Bootleg Cut
2000
Director's Edition | The Bootleg Cut
2000
Remastered | Paramount Presents #21
2000
2000
1993
2016
Special Edition
1973
2016
2021
1997
includes Texasville on Blu-ray
1971-1990
2016
Director's Cut
1984
2013
2014
1998
2022
2010-2013
2014
2009
2022
1989
2nd Corrected BD Pressing UPC Sticker 715515270212
1941
2016