Frozen 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

Frozen 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released 'Frozen,' one of the most popular films of the 21st century, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. No new extras are included, but the bundled Blu-ray, identical to that which released in 2014, carries over its fairly paltry assortment of extra goodies.

Frozen 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Frozen is a visually stunning but also tonally unique movie made of many shades of blue and gray with plenty of specific points of color and white snowy backdrops providing a bright light source frequently seen throughout the film. Disney's 2160p/HDR UHD transfer does well by the movie, even if its most obvious characteristic is a general feeling for darker visuals, particularly away from the snow and daytime. Most any low light interior or exterior has a much more absorbing, dense, deep look about it. There's less brightness, with the image favoring deeper shadows and less forgiving light sources. Dark clothes and backgrounds are particularly notable. There's no loss in detail but some elements are much harder to see. Take a look at the shot when Kristoff and Anna go to meet the trolls in chapter 10. The dark blue background, his dark gray vest, and the generally lower light and lowered brightness make the clothing details all the more harder to see, particularly the frays around the edges of Kristoff's vest. Even Anna's red and white-streaked hair and her purple attire aren't at all brilliant, not more tonally subdued but just victim to a pervasive darkness. On the flip side, whites are much more rich and intense. The existing 1080p SDR Blu-ray looks creamy rather than pure by comparison, and both ample piles of snow and Olaf's body enjoy greatly increased intensity, most obvious during the day but also evident in those aforementioned lower light scenes. Icy blues (notably Elsa's dress) find greater saturation, fires dance with more intense color pop, and Olaf's orange carrot nose presents as a more finely tuned hue. Colors have been tuned favorably, but not excessively. Beyond the more pure whites and the general feel of darker low light the HDR application is more subtle rather than intense but still, overall, a good compliment to the movie.

There has not been a significant change to the movie's textural output or overall clarity. Per IMDB Frozen was finished at 2K. Viewers will note subtle, but not difficult to spot, increases in clarity and textural finesse, including Elsa's icy blue dress and all of its various accents, Sven's dense fur, the well packed snow that gives Olaf's body greater texture, and freckles on character faces (Anna, Elsa, and Hans, for example). Elements inside the palace and around Arendelle enjoy mild boosts in total clarity, too. One of the more impressive points of comparison comes with the trolls in chapter 10. Their earthy, grassy green attire and the pits and pores on the rocky bodies offer some of the most densely packed textural gains the image has on offer. Once again, most of the improvements are easiest to spot in more forgivingly lit shots, scenes, and sequences, though certainly the uptick in clarity and sharpness is evident throughout. Neither color not detail make a substantial difference, but fans should find just enough of a boost in all areas to make the transition to UHD a worthwhile endeavor.

Frozen 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Frozen's chilly Dolby Atmos soundtrack delivers a fair listening experience, though it plays with a whimper at reference volume. The presentation doesn't struggle, however, to implement decently explored and engaged sound effects, including several actions scenes, and particularly those involving the ginormous Marshmallow or crashing ships and cracking ice combined with blowing winds (find some good examples towards the film's blustery climax). The track cannot deliver the effects to total prominence, however, failing to present beyond the essence. While there's plenty of motion and surround integration, the presentation lacks dynamic authority and intensity. Bass is engaged but not with the sort of full-on weight and clarity one would expect and the film demands. Essential clarity is good, and music presents with commendable stage width and depth. The overhead channels are utilized in a support role. Don't expect a barrage of discrete effects; instead enjoy the added feel for spacial awareness and engagement. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized with a firm front-center position. The track could certainly stand some reworking, but it's not unlistenable by any means.

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

Frozen's UHD disc contains no supplemental content, but the bundled Blu-ray is identical to that which Disney released back in March 2014. There was a Target exclusive that contained a bonus DVD with additional extras; it's disappointing that Disney didn't at least throw those onto the UHD, even in standard definition, just to add a little more value (it's a wonder there hasn't been a more thorough special edition over the years given the movie's immense popularity and staying power). See below for a list of what's included. For full supplemental content reviews, please click here. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

• Original Theatrical Short: "Get A Horse!"
• The Making of Frozen
• D'Frosted: Disney's Journey from Hans Christian Andersen to Frozen
• Deleted Scenes
• Music Videos
• Original Teaser Trailer

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

Frozen's UHD does not radically transform the image. The HDR colors add some vital depth to blues and brilliance to whites while darker scenes are rendered more absorbing. Clarity increases are marginal but welcome. The Atmos soundtrack is decent but not quite up to par. No new extras are included but the previously issued Blu-ray, with all of its extras, are included. Recommended, and be sure to check out the gorgeous SteelBook packaging variant.