Big Hero 6 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Big Hero 6 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released the 2014 digitally animated film 'Big Hero 6' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. No new extras are included but the bundled Blu-ray disc, which is identical to that which Disney released in 2015, brings over a fine assortment of extra goodies.

Big Hero 6 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Big Hero 6 makes modest gains on UHD. Disney's 2160p/HDR UHD presentation offers a fairly standard suite of upgrades in terms of visual enhancements. There's nothing here to showcase the format or demonstrate vast superiority over the established, and still excellent, Blu-ray, but fans will certainly note some boosts that do make for a more enjoyable viewing experience. Clarity finds a minor upward bump, revealing the film's core and support textures both with finer, more tactile realism, including character models and clothes, Hiro's busy bedroom, and Baymax's vinyl-like body. Nothing's drastic, but everything's appreciable. The image has that higher resolution sheen and feel for detail about it. The Blu-ray is not rendered obsolete by any means, but the modest improvements do add up to a superior watching experience.

The HDR color spectrum offers a little bit more of a drastic improvement, though again the differences between the UHD and Blu-ray are not dramatic. The overall adds to color depth and nuance do benefit the material, including Baymax's trademark white body, which appears a little brighter, crisper, more authentically white. The red suit he wears is also a point of interest. The color now enjoys a deeper, more satisfying tone that overpowers the comparatively dull and flat color on the Blu-ray. Character skin tones look fuller and more natural, brightly lit environments shine with greater tonal intensity, and blue skies and green vegetation likewise present with a fuller, more nuanced color application. The overall presentation for color and clarity is quite nice. Nothing screams out "must upgrade!" but fans who want the absolute best presentation will certainly find it here.

Big Hero 6 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Big Hero 6 features a shrinking Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The opening bot battle says most of what one needs to know about this track. The need for the typical Disney volume adjustment is immediately obvious, and even when there, up a few decibels from calibrated reference, the lack of superior low end response is clear. When Hiro battles his bot, the various effects, including slicing saws, fall flat, and the motorcycle chase to follow is likewise dull and empty. An explosion at the 23-minute mark will absolutely leave listeners wanting. It's a disappointingly downgraded presentation that doesn't do the movie's blend of intense action and tender heart justice. On the flip side, music plays with impressive spacing, clarity, and vitality. Stretch along the front comes naturally and the Atmos presentation folds in surround and overhead compliments that seamlessly integrate into the larger whole. Those overhead channels largely engage only in support but do offer a few discrete effects, such as when Hiro is announced to come to the stage at the fair in chapter three. The track certainly has much to offer in terms of general stage engagement and atmosphere, but the flatness is too much to overcome. Dialogue is at least center focused and both nicely detailed and perfectly prioritized.

Big Hero 6 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Big Hero 6's UHD disc contains no supplemental content, but the bundled Blu-ray is identical to that which Disney released in 2015 and brings with it the entirety of this set's supplemental content. Below is a listing of what's included. Please click here for full review coverage. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Theatrical Short: Feast
• The Origin of Big Hero 6: Hiro's Journey
• Big Animator 6: The Characters Behind the Characters
• Deleted Scenes with Introductions by Directors Don Hall & Chris Williams
• Big Hero 6 Theatrical Teaser

Big Hero 6 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Big Hero 6 is the perfect Animated film. It's packed with action, littered with strong characters, teeming with humor, and overflowing with heart. It's the epitome of the modern animated film and the superhero picture alike, standing tall against anything either side can throw at it and brushing off any unfounded criticism even the most jaded viewers may hurl in its direction. Disney's UHD isn't anything special. The video upgrades are modest at best and the audio track is lacking. No new extras are included but the bundled Blu-ray brings over all existing content. For fans with deep wallets only.