Field of Dreams 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Field of Dreams 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has released the magical 'Field of Dreams' to the UHD format with a brand-new (and gorgeous) 2160p/HDR transfer. The studio has also included a well-rounded DTS:X soundtrack and bundled in the 2009 Blu-ray which houses the carryover supplemental content. Unfortunately, the disc would not play back properly on my Oppo UDP-203, stuttering and pixelating for a good 30-minute stretch in the middle. The footage in question did play properly on an Xbox One X connected to the same home theater, so it may be an issue with the Oppo rather than the disc.

Field of Dreams 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.

Universal brings life anew to Field of Dreams with a very strong 2160p/HDR-enhanced UHD presentation that offers a significant upgrade over the 2009 Blu-ray. The UHD blows the old image away for grain management, total clarity, textural intricacy, and color depth. None of these elements are perfectly presented, but the transfer looks great, very filmic, and does justice to the locations and photography. Indeed, every shot finds substantial gains in all areas, whether the baseball diamond or the sprawling cornfields beyond, character portraits, or otherwise small details inside the house, like a loaf of Wonder Bread sitting bottom-right of the screen at the 7:22 mark, which yields a major increase in both textural stability and color clarity and depth. Of course that's a fun one-off example, but it's very representative of the significant gains viewers can expect to find.

The old timey baseball uniforms reveal every fray and material definition with expert precision. Then-contemporary clothes are likewise sharp and highly detailed. Cornstalks showcase every organic structural detail in close-ups when Ray hears the voices, even in dusk's low light. The 2160p resolution, generally beautiful grain management, and total clarity highlight the wondrous Iowa vistas and the baseball field alike, whether talking infield dirt, manicured outfield grass, or the wooden bleachers down the line. Skin textures are finely intricate and reveal much more tangible intimacy and sharpness compared to the Blu-ray, highlighting pores, freckles, and wrinkles with mesmerizing depth. The grain field can appear a little swarming and noisy if one peers in very close against simpler backgrounds (the dusk Iowa sky at the 5:50 mark) but it is generally organic, even, and complimentary.

The HDR colors further darken already dark interiors and stabilize bright exteriors. Some of the interiors around the house, as well as character flesh tones, even in bright daylight, push a good bit warm to the point that characters appear almost perpetually, deeply tanned. However, blues skies are intensely deep and beautiful, greens around the ball field appear deep and true, and whites are wonderfully crisp (the opening title letters, White Sox uniforms, the white shirt Ray wears when he and his family realize nobody else can see the players). One of the real highlights are the dusk pastels seen near the beginning of the movie. The pink, peach, and purple colors are magical and the increases in color definition and subtlety, depth, and brilliance over the Blu-ray are striking. Nighttime black levels are terrific, even against the bright stadium lights when Shoeless Joe makes his first appearance. Some low light dark interior corners teeter on crush, however, such as when Ray and Annie lay in bed at night. The image is not entirely perfect, but it appears fairly true to the source. It's a beautifully filmic image and probably looks better than it did on many theater screens in 1989. Fans are going to be delighted.

Field of Dreams 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Universal's DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack for Field of Dreams compliments the film extraordinarily well. The first bass line over the opening titles presents with a healthy low end notice that plays nicely against the airy, stringy, magical structure above it. Some of the more energetic music is joyfully full and immersive, such as the familiar refrain when Ray and Karen plow over the corn during a montage. Music is regularly the highlight, and the DTS:X track takes care to immerse the listener without over-amplifying the sound, leaving it well enough dominant in the fronts but also yielding a dependably consistent and gently immersive surround component. Baseball sounds -- the crack of the bat, a thrown or hit ball finding leather -- are crisp and detailed and properly positioned. Nighttime insect ambience offers critical environmental detail that helps set the scene when Ray first meets Shoeless Joe. The voice Ray hears that tells him, "if you build it, he will come" and "go the distance" and so forth is one component that greatly benefits from the added spacial opportunities the DTS:X track affords. It hovers effortlessly in a whispery distinction around, and above, the listener, creating a fuller, more tangible feel for the film's most critical audio component. Dialogue delivery is perfect, well prioritized, and detailed with a firm front-center location beyond some chatter on the baseball field that emanates with perfect directional distinction.

Field of Dreams 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Field of Dreams' two-disc UHD release contains no new supplements. The bundled Blu-ray is identical to Universal's 2009 release and includes the same supplemental package. Below is a list of what's included (note that the commentary track can be found on both discs). For full supplemental content reviews, please click here. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Deleted Scenes with Introductions by Director Phil Alden Robinson
• From Father to Son: Passing Along the National Pastime
• Roundtable with Kevin Costner, Bret Saberhagen, George Brett and Johnny Bench
• A Diamond in the Husks
• Galena, IL Pinch Hits for Chisholm, MN
• Field of Dreams: A Scrapbook
• Bravo Special: From Page to Screen
• Theatrical Trailer
• Audio Commentary: Director Phil Alden Robinson and Director of Photography John Lindley. Also available on the UHD disc.

Field of Dreams 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Universal has hit a home run with its UHD release of Field of Dreams. While the 2160p/HDR image is not entirely perfect, it's a substantial upgrade over the aging Blu-ray and more than likely the best the film is going to look for home consumption for many, many years. The new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack is a well-rounded compliment, and even though no new supplements have been included, the legacy content remains very good. Field of Dreams' UHD earns my highest recommendation.