Beverly Hills Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Beverly Hills Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the classic 1984 Action/Comedy 'Beverly Hills Cop' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video. The disc retains the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The bundled Blu-ray, identical to that which Paramount released as part of a three-film franchise collection in early 2020, brings over all of the existing bonuses. The UHD disc carries over a few of them.

Beverly Hills Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Beverly Hills Cop's new 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation is almost assuredly sourced from the same 4K master used for the early 2020 Blu-ray issue. It carries over all of the same core characteristics (it's essentially the same image, amplified), including a generally fine command of a natural grain structure (beyond the occasional shot that has the look of filtering) and high quality detail output, though to be sure the image retains some mild inherent softness at times. This is certainly not the most tack-sharp movie by its nature but the UHD does elevate the material to its peak output, featuring a pleasing grain structure that's soft and supple even as it's a little more dense, particularly in slightly lower light (an apartment scene in chapter two). Underneath is a handsome picture, pleasantly sharp within the image's inherent framework and visual styling. The film offers a nice contrast at times in chapter three when Axel is driving through big money Beverly Hills in his blue car, severely worn and dented and standing out like the proverbial sore thumb. The clarity with which viewers will see its dents, scratches, worn paint, and the like is hugely impressive, capturing a firmer, more robust image beyond the Blu-ray's 1080p capabilities. Facial features are superbly defined, as are clothes. Texturally, the image is quite the looker.

The Dolby Vision color grading offers a solidified palette that does not rework any color but rather deepens and intensifies tones. Certainly the brightest natural greens, blue skies, Axel's car, and other high output colors benefit greatly, but so too do less intensive shades, like Axel's gray Mumford t-shirt. The grading is subtle but very effective, refusing to push too gaudy or, contrarily, do too little with the material. Whites are brighter and crisper and black level depth is superior. There is an odd phenomena worth reporting. When the movie is paused, the image becomes notably brighter. When playback resumes, it darkens again. This occurs on the review reference Panasonic DP-UB9000; the Oppo 203 did (which does not work well anymore but was the only other Dolby Vision player in the house) did not demonstrate the same. The movie looks better in playback; the brighter output renders blacks less dynamic and colors less deep. The same was not observed on Coming to America, which Paramount is releasing alongside Beverly Hills Cop and also features Dolby Vision color grading.

Beverly Hills Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Beverly Hills Cop's UHD disc contains no new primary audio presentation. It simply recycles the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack which was used on both the 2011 original release and the 2020 remastered release. Please click here for a full review.

Beverly Hills Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Beverly Hills Cop contains no new extras on either the UHD or Blu-ray discs. The UHD does port over several extras, and the entire suite can be found on the bundled Blu-ray, which is identical to the remastered version that was included with the three film collection that released earlier this year. See below for a breakdown of what's included on each disc and please click here for full coverage. A digital copy code and a slipcover are included with purchase.

UHD:

• Audio Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Behind the Scenes: 1984 Interviews
• BHC Mixtape '84
• Theatrical Trailer

• Audio Commentary
• Isolated Score Track
• Deleted Scenes
• Behind the Scenes: 1984 Interviews
• Beverly Hills Cop -- The Phenomenon Begins
• A Glimpse Into the Casting Process
• The Music of Beverly Hills Cop
• Location Map
• Theatrical Trailer
• BHC Mixtape '84

Beverly Hills Cop 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Beverly Hills Cop is one of the iconic 80s films and it's earned a very flattering 2160p/Dolby Vision video release. It's a nice boost over the excellent Blu-ray which Paramount released earlier in 2020. Audio and supplements are unchanged but fans will nevertheless find this a worthwhile upgrade investment. Its a shame that the other films have not yet earned the same treatment and that there's no SteelBook alternative, but the release does come highly recommended.