Cinderella Man 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Cinderella Man 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Based on a true story, Director Ron Howard's 'Cinderella Man' arrives on 4K UHD courtesy of Universal. The film stars Russell Crowe as boxer Jim Braddock, alongside Renée Zellweger as his wife Mae, and Paul Giamatti as his manager Joe Gould, in the story of one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. The release features a pleasing 2160p transfer and a winning Dolby Atmos track, and all of the legacy features are brought forward here. A Blu-ray disc, a slipcover, and a Digital Code redeemable via Movies Anywhere are also included.

Cinderella Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

When Cinderella Man first received a Blu-ray release back in 2009, my colleague Kenneth Brown was quite complimentary of the 1080p transfer, stating it was a marked improvement over the DVD release and rating it rather highly. Looking at the Blu-ray presentation some 16 years later, while his rating of that presentation may have seemed correct at the time, given how things have progressed in the intervening years, as is sometimes the case, those initial ratings can seem a bit inflated, and that's the case here. While not perfect, what's on display here in the 2160p Dolby Vision presentation is a definite improvement over what has come before. Cinderella Man is still a dark film, that hasn't changed, but there is more visible detail in the darkness and shadows. Colors are better saturated within the film's color palette, which creates a sense of age and economic depression. Skin tones look improved here, too, and are appropriate for the film's aesthetic. Fine detail levels are also heightened, with facial particulars being available even in the many darkened environments, such as locker rooms, and the Braddock family's squalid apartment. Costuming textures present with solid tactile realism, and details such as age, wear, and stitching are all observable. Blacks are deep and inky. With a filmic picture that looks very good in motion, fans of the film should be quite pleased.

Please note that all screenshots are sourced from the included 1080p disc.

Cinderella Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Cinderella Man 4K's 2160p presentation is partnered with a new Dolby Atmos track that isn't quite a knock-out, but is definitely a contender. The track remains relatively front-focused, especially in the smaller, more intimate moments. Immersive moments are plentiful, not only when Braddock is in the ring, but also in environments such as at the docks or in the bar. In these locations, surrounds are used to provide caws from seagulls, clinking glasses, music from the radio, and numerous voices from other workers and patrons. They're also used extensively to push the background score in scenes such as when Zellweger's Mae and the children steal wood for a fire and the heart-wrenching moment that immediately follows. As one would expect, though, it's the fights that are the undisputed sonic highlights of the track, with increased levels of immersion providing echoing announcers, riotous fans, crushing punches, and bodies thumping to the mat. Dialogue is front and center located, and is properly prioritized even in the film's most lively moments. It's consistently clean and free from defects. Bass is pleasingly deep, but not oppressive. It's sufficient to add depth to the score that is occasionally pushed to the forefront, allowing viewers to also appreciate the lush strings and delicate keys. The sounds of the countless punches in the ring also benefit, giving the blows the needed oomph and realism that the film demands.

Cinderella Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

All of the special features from the previous Blu-ray release are brought forward here, providing hours of content for fans to explore. For a full accounting of them, please follow this link.

Cinderella Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Crowe fills Braddock with grit, determination, and a sense of pride that is never diminished, regardless of his circumstances. Zellweger, at the height of her powers here, approaches her role with her trademark heart and emotion, and Giamatti is as compelling as ever. The film, too, remains the uplifting and inspiring comeback story it's always been, and it's undeniably one of Ron Howard's best. The 2160p transfer presents the film as the best it's looked in home video, and the Dolby Atmos track brings life to the heroics in the squared circle. For fans of the film, its stars, or the director, Cinderella Man 4K comes highly recommended.