Coming to America 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Coming to America 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the classic Eddie Murphy Comedy 'Coming to America' to the UHD format. The film first debuted on the Blu-ray format way back in 2007, right at the beginning of the Blu-ray format's lifespan. The film was subsequently released several more times, once in a two-pack with Trading Places, again in 2012 as part of a 100th anniversary celebration, later in 2013 under the Warner Brothers label, and finally once more in in 2018 for its 30th anniversary. None of those Blu-ray discs are included with this release. All of the legacy extras are simply ports and appear on the UHD disc itself. The UHD does feature new 2160p/Dolby Vision video (the transfer was supervised by Director John Landis) and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless audio.

Coming to America 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Coming to America's brand new 4K/Dolby Vision UHD presentation looks magnificent, fit for a prince, in fact. The image is a textural powerhouse and a revelation over the existing Blu-ray. The picture cannot be described any other way than as "perfectly cinematic." It's blessed with a very healthy and natural grain structure that is fully complimentary of the visuals, which are stout and strong and soar beyond the comparatively flat, borderline ugly Blu-ray. The image exhibits extensive clarity and intricate definition at every stop. The dilapidated apartment, the odds and ends inside a barber shop, the "McDowells" restaurant kitchen and dining areas, and of course the fine appointments in Zamunda are all given new opportunity to reveal the inherent complexities in the film source. The regal attire seen in the opening act is sublime. The clarity of the ribbons, decorations, and fabrics delight. The naturally organic and filmic qualities cannot be overstated, and neither can the image's gargantuan improvements over the Blu-ray.

The Dolby Vision color grading is a treat. Color depth and accuracy are significantly improved over the Blu-ray as the entire spectrum of diverse tones leap off the screen with newfound fidelity and accuracy. Clothes pop with organic depth and perfect saturation. City colors enjoy robust depth and attention to fine gradient details never disappoints, allowing for everything from urban grays to colorful storefront signage to present with precision output. Skin tones are perfect, black levels are exceptional, and whites dazzle. There are no source blemishes and no encode anomalies. The film couldn't look any better for its UHD debut.

Coming to America 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Previous Blu-ray releases for Coming to America included 5.1 lossy audio but for the UHD Paramount has included a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation is a delight, a solid upgrade from the older tracks and offering a fuller, richer listening experience. Music is exquisitely detailed. The beats that accompany the dance prior to Akeem's bride-to-be's introduction in chapter four find exceptional balance between clarity, depth, and spacing, the latter making fine use of the entire stage, including a hearty but never overbearing surround support element. The "Soul Glo" jingle, particularly as it's heard in chapter 11, just sings. It's crystal clear, dynamic, highly detailed, and stage filling. Music throughout is a delight, presenting with a richness and fidelity well exceeding previous soundtracks. Atmospherics are wonderful, particularly out around city streets, inside the restaurant, and through other choice locales where there's opportunity for stretch and natural expansion. There is some nice discrete effect spacing at times, with the crashing sticks during the workout in the 11-minute mark echoing with a natural extension across the front, though without a serious rear channel support. Chapter 10 also features some excellent spacial reverb. Dialogue never falters in clarity, prioritization, or front-center placement. This is a practically perfect audio compliment to the perfect UHD visuals.

Coming to America 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Coming to America includes all of the legacy extras on the UHD disc. For full supplemental reviews, please click here. For convenience, below is a list of what's included. A digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Prince-ipal Photography: The Coming Together of America
• Fit for Akeem: The Costumes of Coming to America
• Character Building: The Many Faces of Rick Baker
• Composing America: The Musical Talents of Nile Rodgers
• A Vintage Sit-Down with Eddie & Arsenio
• Theatrical Trailer
• Photo Gallery

Coming to America 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Coming to America is as funny and charming today as it ever was, and Paramount has given the film a new lease on life with a sublime 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer that has the movie looking as if it was pulled straight from theaters. The new 5.1 lossless soundtrack is terrific, too. There are no new extras, but the legacy supplements are fine. Highly recommended.