6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.1 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Talented but unproven stock car driver gets a break and with the guidance of a veteran driver turns heads on the track.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid, Cary ElwesAction | 100% |
Sport | 22% |
Romance | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
German: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1
Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Spanish=España y Latinoamérica, Portuguese=Brasil
English, English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Icelandic, Korean, Norwegian, Romanian, Swedish, Thai
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 0.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Paramount has released 1990's NASCAR drama 'Days of Thunder,' Directed by Tony Scott, to the UHD format. Specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, and a couple of extras.
The included screenshots are sourced from the remastered 1080p Blu-ray disc.
Paramount's UHD release of Days of Thunder looks very good, but it's not perfect. The new 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation compliments the
film nicely in total well, delivering an oftentimes striking presentation that is absolutely faithful to the picture's shot-on-film roots. It boasts an intact
grain structure which does demonstrate a propensity to push a bit sharp in some of the more challenging scenes, particularly in low light (Harry
Hogge building the car in chapter four) or some of the challenging shots on the race track. Some of the more intense grain fields can push more noisy
and swarming rather than organic; look at the 10:50 mark as Trickle takes the car around the track. The sky looks like it's dancing with clumpy noise;
the effect is much less subdued, if noticeable at all, on the Blu-ray. When Trickle gets out of the car and shakes hands with Buck, the
background looks incredibly harsh-edged, processed, and digital, particularly the black horizontal line running across the screen. The same doesn't look
anywhere near as harsh on the Blu-ray. One could make the case that the Blu-ray edges out the UHD in this area, at least. Unfortunately Paramount
has not
included it in this set to make that comparison easy; it's only available as part of the studio's "Paramount Presents" line.
Generally speaking, though, the resolution boost does allow textures to breathe a little more. Skin details are tack-sharp, as are clothing lines,
including Trickle's denim jacket, various racing suits, and environmental elements both natural and manmade, on the track and away from it. And when
the grain is consistent, as it is for the majority of the picture, it ranks as one of the better looking images, in terms of film-like texturing, on the format.
The Dolby Vision color grading brings with it a heightened sense of realism to tones, at least within the film's lighting structure. Parts of the movie push
somewhat warm while others thrive in dynamic low light conditions, particularly when the opportunity presents for a bright light source to penetrate the
shadowy surroundings. Colors find excellent fidelity and faithfulness, offering improved saturation without dialing up contrast too far or fundamentally
altering a core color temperature. Tones are deeper in general, offering more favorable fullness and dynamic range, extending across essentials like skin
tones, clothing hues, and environmental shades. The City Chevrolet car and corresponding uniforms seen in the first act jump off the screen with
beautifully dynamic green and yellow tones and perfect
gradations. There's just enough added color oomph to bring them to more vivid life compared to the otherwise excellent Blu-ray, which is itself certainly
not lacking on color stability and output abilities; this is just a fortified version thereof. Whites are more dynamic and brilliant here and blacks are
deeper without sacrificing shadow detail. The image looks excellent overall. There are some odds and ends that might give less forgiving viewers pause
but the majority of the movie looks great.
Days of Thunder's UHD disc does not conclude a Dolby Atmos soundtrack but rather a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, the same found on the concurrently issued remastered Blu-ray. The track is agreeably guttural and dynamic, offering a healthy, vigorous compliment to the movie's racing scene needs. Cars dart around the track with impressive feel for natural movement and the throaty engine depth engages the low end forcefully but with commanding balance and authenticity. Combined with energetic music, stretching far and boasting excellent definition throughout the range, and the racing scenes dazzle. The track finds firm command of less intensive score in dialogue scenes, which also boast fine atmospheric elements in support of the spoken word, which presents with natural positioning and clarity. It's a shame Paramount didn't make the effort to expand the track into the Atmos configuration, which would have only boosted the feel for immersion during races and allowed the public address announcements heard during the climactic race to take on a more natural dispersal and top end positioning, but as it is the 5.1 track handles the content with the intensity and depth it demands.
The previously issued Blu-ray release of Days of Thunder included only the film's trailer. Paramount has dropped that extra for this UHD release
but
added two new ones. A digital copy code is included with purchase.
Days of Thunder's UHD races towards victory lane with fresh tires and a new coat of paint. There are a few potholes along the way but most will assuredly be thrilled to put this one into the winner's circle. The UHD picture is strong, the 5.1 track is excellent, and the studio has added a couple of bonuses to boot. Recommended.
1990
1990
Remastered | Paramount Presents #5
1990
1990
1990
1990
2018
2015
Remastered
1986
2019
35th Anniversary Limited Edition
1989
2006
2023
Theatrical & Director's Cut | Limited Edition
2006
Shout Select
2013
1994
2008
2018
2014
1987
2020
Choice Collection
1989
2011
2001
2014
2011