Belly 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.0

Belly 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman January 28, 2023

It may be a new year (give or take a week or three as this review is being written), but Lionsgate is up to its old tricks vis a vis a 4K release gauntlet that may provoke as much head scratching as excitement. Belly was not overly praised when it was released way back in 1998, and while its relatively low budget meant that it most likely turned a profit based on box office data I've been able to find online, it was never a blockbuster in ticket sales by any stretch of the imagination. Lionsgate released a (1080) Blu-ray not quite as way back in 2008 that my colleague Martin Liebman also wasn't particularly fond of (as I've mentioned many times previously, different reviewers means different opinions, and that may include this particular review), but now Lionsgate is back with a 4K UHD release that also features (based on "clues" like the newer Lionsgate masthead, the correct aspect ratio, and the fact that there's a Dolby Atmos track instead of a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track) a remastered 1080 disc. Just for good measure there's also a 4K/1080 two disc SteelBook release available at Lionsgate's frequent partner for such product, Best Buy.

As mentioned above, Belly received a 1080 Blu-ray release around fifteen years ago, and those interested in a plot recap are encouraged to read Marty's Belly Blu-ray review of that version. Also as mentioned above, "different reviewers means different opinions", and I'm at least somewhat more favorably inclined toward this film than Marty was. It is a jumble at times, and certainly an example of style over substance, but it does have a considerable amount of style. You can feel writer and director Hype Williams struggling at times, even with technique, but there's a visceral energy here that can't be understated. It's almost charming in a way to hear Williams in his commentary track tout things like his use of "rear projection" as an homage to classic directors like Martin Scorsese, but it's perhaps indicative of the fact that Williams wanted his film to reflect not just (relatively) contemporary issues, but also Williams' own love of film.

Belly 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.

Belly is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Marty wasn't overly enthusiastic about the first 1080 release, which I have admittedly not seen, but I have to say I was genuinely impressed with the visuals on both the 1080 and 4K UHD discs included in this package. I've long had an almost Pavlovian response to shot on film features that get a 4K UHD upgrade, frankly especially when they come from Lionsgate, as I often find the grain resolution to be almost swarm like looking. That is not the case here, at least for the most part, and while there is the somewhat noisy appearance that Marty mentions in his review, especially in some of the darkest scenes, I have to say that in listening to Hype Williams' commentary track, I feel like some of the "distressed" look was an intentional stylistic gambit and not the result of poor compression. That said, even Dolby Vision and/or HDR can't quite overcome other deficits like a noticeable lack of shadow detail in those selfsame dark sequences, which are frankly pretty plentiful in this film. The 4K UHD version takes the already aggressively saturated grading and adds some nice nuance to any number of deep hues, probably most noticeably some of the omnipresent blues and reds. Detail levels tend to vary based on the stylistic flourishes and especially lighting and/or grading conditions, but on the whole are quite commendable throughout.

Belly 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Belly features a nicely propulsive Dolby Atmos track that takes full advantage of the multichannel format to deliver both some bracing low end as well as at least a few more "high reaching" moments courtesy of Atmos. I'm frankly a little surprised at the less than rave review Marty gave to the original 1080 disc's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, but one way or the other, I found the Atmos track to be consistently immersive and nicely layered. The film's sound design is often as near psychedelic as the visuals, and as such there can be prioritization issues intermittently, though I found the general feel of things to be involving and well mixed. The music is a real highlight, and takes full advantage of both LFE and engagement of the side and rear channels. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly for the most part, with the occasional prioritization exception. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

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

The 4K UHD disc features the commentary listed below as its sole supplement (other than a Bookmarking feature). The complete list of the following supplements, which seem to more or less duplicate those found on the original 1080 release, is included on the 1080 disc in this package:

• Audio Commentary with Hype Williams


• Spoken Word (SD; 39:07)


• Deleted Scene (SD; 3:33)


• Grand Finale Music Video (SD; 4:05)

Additionally, a digital copy is included and packaging features a slipcover.

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

Belly probably would have benefited from Hype Williams having some more experienced mentor on the scene to help with story shaping and perhaps especially to guide some of the performances. But there is still an almost feral energy suffusing this film that is quite remarkable, and Williams' long experience as a music video director gives this film a really bracing visual style. My hunch is fans of this film are going to appreciate this new release, and one way or the other, technical merits are solid and the few supplements enjoyable for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.