Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Days of Thunder 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

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.

Days of Thunder 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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.

Days of Thunder 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

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.

• Filmmaker Focus: Days of Thunder (1080p, 6:39): This is a new retrospective with Jerry Bruckheimer who explores Tony Scott's work on the film, the dynamics of NASCAR racing and how it translated to film, cast and performances, and the film's legacy.
• Isolated Score Track (Dolby Digital 2.0): Watch the film with only its score. This supplement does not appear under the "Extras" tab but rather the "Settings" tab.

Days of Thunder 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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.