Back to the Future Part II 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Back to the Future Part II 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has released the classic 1989 Sci-Fi film 'Back to the Future Part II' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos audio. The UHD disc brings over the full suite of extras from the 2010 and 2015 releases. Note that this disc is currently only available as part of a three-film bundle with 'Back to the Future' and 'Back to the Future Part III.'

Back to the Future Part II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from the newly remastered 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Back to the Future Part II's 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation compares favorably to the previous film's image and, even as the films were released four years apart, there's little stylistic change or divergence from the core look. Here, grain is natural and fine, obviously losing some of its cohesion during some optical effects shots (flying cars in the future, the two Biffs sharing the screen in 1955). Overall, however, it's a fine, natural, critical component. The image yields plenty of rich, effortlessly sharp detail around the future Hill Valley, both old standards like the courthouse and new odds and ends scattered around to give it that "future" look. During the stretch back in the alternate 1985, the contrast between the high dollar hotel and the run down Hill Valley streets are stark, and even under darkness exteriors dazzle with intimate clarity of graffiti and various signs of neglect. The picture thrives in 1955 where much of the action takes place in well lit exteriors, allowing clothes, faces, and environmental textures to thrive.

The Dolby Vision color grading is terrific. The image yields superb black levels, critical again in that alternate 1985 but also during the finale, taking place at the dance and near the clock tower, both vital scenes in the film. Future highlights are exquisite for the abundance of color on the red auto-sizing jacket and the rainbow ball cap that both Marty and his future son wear. Colorful neons outside the alternate 1985 hotel contrast perfectly with the inky blacks while its interiors are warm and refined. The 1955 Hill Valley enjoys the most color punch under bright sunny exteriors, all far exceeding the SDR colors both in the original releases and the remastered Blu-rays, released concurrently with this. With more impressively bright and crisp whites and more natural flesh tones, the film looks terrific with the Dolby Vision grading in play. Add the absence of print damage and encode issues and there's little here to sway the image very far from perfection.

Back to the Future Part II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The new Dolby Atmos soundtrack perfectly compliments the new upgraded visuals with its more expansive sound field and more expressive delivery of the film's unforgettable audio cues. The track soars at every opportunity. Alan Silvestri's theme explodes from speakers with both detail and depth, exploring the stage's every inch with fully saturating orchestral bliss. Rock music delights during the scene introducing Biff's 1985 empire in chapter nine, but it's certainly the score where the track shines brightest. Action and atmospheric effects are a delight, too. Sky traffic zips and zooms around the listener when the DeLorean arrives in 2015 and, later in the 38 minute mark, when a jet liner rushes over the car with impressive depth and top end command, telling Doc and Marty that they have returned to 1985, or at least 1985 as it is after the future has changed the past. Opportunities for expansive overhead engagement are frequent, usually not so much with discrete effects but with opportunistic stretch to those new speakers to more completely immerse the listener in the movie's audio worlds. With perfectly placed, prioritized, and lifelike dialogue, this one is excellent start to finish.

Back to the Future Part II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Back to the Future Part II contains the same supplemental suite found on the concurrently released (and remastered) Blu-ray. All of the extras on this disc were originally included with the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray Collection released in 2010. See below for a listing of what's included and please click here for full coverage. As it ships in the larger DigiBook 4K collection, a Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Deleted Scenes
• Tales from the Future: Time Flies
• The Physics of Back to the Future with Dr. Michio Kaku
• Archival Featurettes
• Behind the Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• Q&A Commentary: Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale.
• Audio Commentary: Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton.

Back to the Future Part II 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Universal's Back to the Future Part II UHD is terrific, reaching far and well beyond any previous standard or high definition release. It looks fresh from theaters and probably looks better than it did in 1989 on the big screen. The Atmos track is terrific, too, and there are plenty of carryover extras. Back to the Future's UHD release, as it's included in the above linked three film trilogy, earns my highest recommendation.