Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.5

Deep Impact 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the emotionally charged 1998 Disaster film 'Deep Impact' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video. The UHD disc carries over the legacy Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack from the 2009 Blu-ray, which is also included. No new supplements are included, and all of the extras are only included on the Blu-ray disc.

Deep Impact 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Paramount releases the highly anticipated Deep Impact to the UHD format with a 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation. The image may not rank as tops on the format, but the improvements over the previous issue are in evidence throughout. This is a pleasantly film-like image, holding to a natural grain structure that is consistent and complementary of the film roots. Grain consistency is understandably interrupted during various key visual effects shots, especially as seen in the final act, but these sorts of visual inconsistencies are rooted in the source, not introduced into the UHD transfer. The image is sharp, well sharper than the old Blu-ray, and captures a fine facial and hair details with fine accuracy, offering viewers the crispest, most satisfying home presentation ever for the film. There appears to be no significant digital tampering, resulting in a steady, crisp, healthy image that satisfies expectations.

The Dolby Vision color grading offers amplified color output, but not so heavily manipulated as to lose the core color parameters. Depth is improved, as is vitality and boldness. Viewers will appreciate crisp, efficient, and brilliant colors in newsrooms, on clothes, and out in sun-soaked exteriors. Black levels are at times problematic, with very dark shots exhibiting some crush. However, white balance is excellent, with clothes, an MSNBC chopper seen towards the end, and other white content offering a crispness and clarity that exceeds the previously issued Blu-ray. Skin tones are healthy as well.

This image suffers from no more than the odd pop and speckle. No serious compression issues are in evidence, either.

Deep Impact 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This new UHD disc shares the same audio track originally found on the 2009 Blu-ray. Below is a reproduction of the original audio review:

Deep Impact crashes onto Blu-ray with a startling Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track enjoys a nice, full, and precise presentation. The rear channels are implemented often, beginning with Dr. Wolf's repositioning of the heavy telescope in Tucson; the shifting gears and mechanical movements are heard all around the soundstage. Meanwhile, his opera music enjoys superb clarity as it spills out of the front half of the soundstage and seems to reverberate about the listening area, and a subsequent explosion rocks the floorboards with a loud and powerful low end effect. Later, the Messiah's rockets explode throughout the soundstage, and its rough ride into the comet features the sound of rattling bolts and metal on the inside and debris bouncing off the hull on the outside in a full-fledged surround sound presentation that, through all the goings-on, retains excellent clarity. There are too-numerous-to-count instances of the track delivering powerful, full, and exciting sound effects that engulf the soundstage. Deep Impact also offers several more nuanced atmospheric effects that bring the track to life; listeners will enjoy the bustling background activity of the MSNBC offices in several scenes and the gentle rocking of a pier-side boat in chapter four. Also featuring crystal-clear dialogue reproduction, Deep Impact delivers a wonderful listening experience that nicely compliments a wonderful movie.

Deep Impact 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Deep Impact includes no extras, but the bundled Blu-ray, which is identical to the disc Paramount released in 2009, includes all of the legacy supplements. See below for a list of what's included and please click here for full coverage. This release ships with a digital copy code and a non-embossed slipcover.

• Audio Commentary
• Preparing for the End
• Making an Impact
• Creating the Perfect Traffic Jam
• Parting Thoughts
• Photo Gallery
• Teaser Trailer
• Theatrical Trailer

Deep Impact 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A highly emotional, superbly crafted, and altogether timeless movie, Deep Impact may superficially fall into the "Disaster" movie category but it's more a tale of the human condition than the end of the world. Revolving around its themes of love, family, and sacrifice rather than building a ten-cent story around special effects and catchy one-liners, Deep Impact positively nails what its genre is all about and bests the competition in every regard. The pinnacle of the Disaster genre and one of the better emotionally centered movies of the past several generations, Deep Impact withstands the test of time and holds up as an emotional tour-de-force examination of the human spirit. Paramount's UHD release of Deep Impact includes nothing new outside of the video, and that alone is well worth the upgrade for a movie that still delivers a first-class cinema experience 25 years later. Highly recommended.