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

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

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

Universal has released the classic 1990 Sci-Fi film 'Back to the Future Part III' 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 II.'

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

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

Back to the Future Part III is the most visually divergent of the three films in the series, taking place primarily in the Old West where earthen tones and dusty woods and period apparel dominate most every scene. Universal's 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation brings life to the film like never before with a marriage of natural grain, razor sharp elements, and sure colors throughout. Grain retention is consistent and its density is steady. It's the lightest field of the three films but every bit as complimentary and filmic as the others. The cinematic flavor brings the movie's woods, terrain, and Old West attire to life with newfound clarity well beyond any previous standard or high definition image. The intimacy of dust, wear on clothes, facial hair, wooden objects, train bodies, and the now battered and well used DeLorean make for impressive viewing, while Clara's dresses offer tactical definition and material density. Sharpness never gives way and clarity never yields. This one is a stunner.

The Dolby Vision color grading sees colors leap off the screen even as tones are primarily defined by the earthy, dusty old west browns and beiges. There's a newfound depth in play that ups tonal nuance and delights with intricate grading and clarity of small color shifts, where a garment might be slightly more weathered here and less so there. Natural greens and blue skies, the latter in particular in this film, enjoy newfound tonal intensity beyond any previous iteration. Black levels are superb. The nighttime dance where Emmet and Clara begin to truly fall in love and where Tannen confronts McFly is just about as perfect as could be. Skin tones are completely accurate, too. The picture is free of print blemish or encode flaw. This is the best looking of the three films, which is saying something considering how strong the other two look.

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

The new Dolby Atmos soundtrack perfectly compliments those excellent new visuals. The track demonstrates terrific percussion and depth when Marty first arrives in 1885, pursued by Indians on horseback, the scene accompanied by a wonderfully detailed and deep score. Moments later, the cavalry arrives with equal depth to the horse footfalls but with the added listening pleasure of a tangible top end extension as they leap over the top of the cave where Marty has just hidden the DeLorean. It's probably the single best use of top layer extension in the entire trilogy. The new Western locale allows for a multitude of fun and interesting sound effects, from piercing train whistles to sounds of working machinery inside Doc's 1885 lab. Gunshots hit and reverberate with power and voices dance through the open country when Doc and Marty inspect an unfinished train track in chapter 10. Music again highlights, though, from Silvestri's new score with a Western flavor to the springy Bluegrass beats played during the festival in chapter 11. The Atmos track allows all of the elements to enjoy greater spacial awareness and seamless audience immersion. Dialogue reproduction is perfect, as is the entire track. What a treat for the ears!

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

This UHD release of Back to the Future Part III 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 Scene
• Tales from the Future: Third Time's the Charm
• Tales from the Future: The Test of Time
• Archival Featurettes
• Behind the Scenes
• Music Video "Doubleback" by ZZ Top.
• FAQs About the Trilogy
• Theatrical Trailer
• Back to the Future: The Ride
• Q&A Commentary: Director Robert Zemeckis and Producer Bob Gale.
• Audio Commentary: Producers Bob Gale and Neil Canton.

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

Universal's Back to the Future Part III 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 1990 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.