6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
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: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
German: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
Music: Dolby Digital 2.0
English, English SDH, French, German, Japanese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Paramount has re-released 1990's 'Days of Thunder' to Blu-ray, the fifth film in its 'Paramount Presents' line. The film was previously released to Blu-ray in 2008. This new release includes a freshly remastered 1080p presentation sourced from 4K scan, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, and a new retrospective supplement. It is also packaged to appeal to collectors, even if the packaging is rather straightforward in total.
Days of Thunder has received a gorgeous remaster for this latest Blu-ray release. The presentation leaps off the screen with firm command of its elements, which center around a fine grain structure that is faithful, evenly distributed, and very flattering to the picture. It soars, helping to deliver a gorgeous film-quality image that excels during slower paced character moments where textural command is at its peak. Intimate facial textures abound, clothing details soar, and location elements, ranging from race tracks to dense garages, from doctor's offices to dark barns, always present at a high level of visual output. Total sharpness is exquisite. The picture is simply exemplary in terms of clarity and adherence to its film-like roots. Even on the track the presentation soars, capturing the grime and grit and handling the smoke and speed all with faultless grace. Colors soar, too, with the cars -- even in various states of wear from the rigors of the track -- finding expert clarity and depth, which extends to the colorful patches on racing uniforms and the corresponding tones around the pits and in the garages. Black levels and shadow details hold steady and accurate and skin tones appear true. The picture shows no significant source shortcomings or encode anomalies. It's a solid improvement over the good-not-great Blu-ray of days gone by. This is near best-case for a Blu-ray.
Days of Thunder's new Blu-ray includes a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, the same encode and channel configuration that graced the
2008 disc. However,
upon comparison, it seems that the track has been altered to some degree. The raw dynamics don't appear to be any different but it sounds more
guttural
and more dynamic in direct comparison, here offering a healthy, vigorous compliment to the movie's racing
scene needs that feel boosted in volume and intensity. 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.
This release also offers an expanded suite of language and subtitle options against the 2008 Blu-ray.
The previously issued Blu-ray release of Days of Thunder included only the film's trailer. Paramount has dropped that extra for this release but
added two new ones. This release is also part of the "Paramount Presents" line which includes unique packaging beyond standard Blu-ray case and
slipcover components. Find below a brief text overview as well as some photographs in the "screenshots" tab above. No DVD is included, and neither is
a digital copy code.
Days of Thunder may just be Top Gun on wheels minus the machismo and memorable soundtrack, but it's a great ride in its own right that Paramount has re-released to Blu-ray with striking, near perfect 1080p video. The lack of a Dolby Atmos audio track is disappointing but the reworked 5.1 presentation is a treat. More extras would have been nice. Highly recommended.
30th Anniversary Edition
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
1990
2018
2015
Remastered
1986
2019
35th Anniversary Limited Edition
1989
2006
2023
Theatrical & Director's Cut | Limited Edition
2006
1994
2008
Shout Select
2013
2018
2014
1987
2020
Choice Collection
1989
2011
2001
2014
2011