Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Dune 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Turn off the bright lights.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III March 19, 2024

Adding to the recent glut of retailer-exclusive Steelbooks is this brand-new variant of Denis Villeneuve's Dune, first released to 4K and Blu-ray more than two years ago but still in the public consciousness thanks to its highly regarded sequel. This one, like many others since the demise of Best Buy, is exclusive to Wal-Mart and actually has a second gimmick: it glows in the dark, which is somehow strangely appropriate for a format best viewed with as little ambient light as possible. On-disc contents are unsurprisingly the same, so this one's for die-hard collectors only.

For a synopsis and appreciation of the main feature, please see my 4K/Blu-ray review. I recently rewatched Dune to refresh myself for the sequel and it holds up well enough, so I stand by my original rating of 8/10.

Dune 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For my thoughts on WB's 2160p/HDR (Dolby Vision compatible) transfer of Dune, see my 4K/Blu-ray review.

Dune 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Likewise, my 4K/Blu-ray review details the outstanding Dolby Atmos mix included on both discs.

Dune 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This two-disc release ships in Steelbook packaging that, if not for the sticker touting its glow-in-the-dark properties, would just look like an oversaturated blue tint version of the wide-release 4K art. This frankly kind of underwhelming collage could have been improved upon by using an image that took better advantage of this gimmick, but the back cover is an improvement and features the House Atreides seal set against a slightly scratchy background. (As seen above, though, only a fraction of these elements are actually recognizable when it glows.)

Inside is a warmer though still mostly monochromatic shot of Paul, in silhouette, walking though the desert with the Spice a-flowing. Both discs sit on overlapping hubs on the right side. All in all, this is a decent enough design but not quite as attractive as earlier Steelbook variants from Best Buy, the WB Shop, and other outlets.

On-disc extras are identical to the wide-release 4K/Blu-ray and detailed in that review.

Dune 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I'd imagine anyone halfway interested in Dune has already seen and perhaps even bought the film on 4K or Blu-ray, either during its original release or its recent resurrection with the sequel now in theaters. Therefore it's unlikely that this glow-in-the-dark Steelbook variant, available exclusively at Wal-Mart, will be a blind buy. As a collector's piece it's only mildly recommended, as earlier (and better) Steelbook options have already been made available.