Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Gattaca 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 21, 2021

Sony has released the intelligent 1997 Sci-Fi film 'Gattaca' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. The UHD disc contains no new extras beyond a theatrical trailer. The bundled Blu-ray is identical to that which Sony released in 2008. This release is currently only available in SteelBook packaging.

For a full film review, please click here.

Gattaca 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Sony engineers Gattaca for a healthier home video presentation by way of this new 2160p/HDR UHD release. It's quickly apparent when comparing the new UHD to the aging Blu-ray that this 2160p presentation is in fine command of the film's visuals, tightening the picture and pulling it towards a more organic, accurate, filmic state. Grain is not fine, but neither is it clumpy or dense. It's certainly sharp and can have a slightly noisy look about it at times (see around the four-minute mark for an example) but the picture is generally very agreeable for its essential filmic appearance. The image finds a new level of sharpness and clarity unavailable on the old disc. The film's bulk is comprised of slick, clean, visually uneventful locations, obviously reflecting the flawless "perfection" man has achieved through genetic engineering. Indeed, these high efficiency offices and homes offer little opportunity for zealous depth and location insight -- there's deliberately no character to them -- but certainly the UHD is well capable of exploring these locales, and some that are a bit less than sterile, with appreciable command. Skin and clothing elements are super sharp, too, yielding high textural output in practically every scene.

From the moment the film begins the feel for the HDR's benefits are immediately obvious. The white text on black screen is both sharper and far more luminous (and stable; there's some wobble on the Blu-ray) than seen on the previous high definition release but the blue color background to follow black is much more expressive, deep, and dynamic on the UHD. Color output here in general is very good. Next to the Blu-ray, the colors are more dynamic and brighter. There's a creaminess in good light (a doctor's office at the 7-minute mark) to the Blu-ray that gives way to a brighter, yet colder and seemingly more reflective of the movie's sterile palette, appearance here, but any temperature alterations are minimal in most every instance and only enhance the color spectrum rather than fundamentally alter any given scene's critical mood lighting. Much of the film takes place in those slick spartan environments noted above and come with predominantly silver, gray, and blue color landscapes which are handled with delicate care even in large swath screen areas. Some brighter greens, red blood, and some other tones away from the predominant color scheme are very nice for depth and vitality. Skin tones look terrific. Black level depth and density are perfect. Whites are very bright and healthy. Gattaca looks terrific on the UHD format.

Gattaca 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The opening audio cues are excellent. The stage depth and reverb for the falling elements is tremendous. With deep subwoofer output, enveloping surround extension, and the generously spacious stage engagement for depth and reverb it offers a commanding, deep presence that gives way to gentle, flowing score. The track enjoys exemplary space inside various offices where chatter and footfalls are amplified to effect and as overhead PA announcements filter through the top end for realistically engaging soundstage impact. Score is pleasant for space and detail, offering the usual suite of superior front side spacing, balanced surround extension, and well defined subwoofer compliments. Dialogue is clear, center positioned, and well prioritized for the duration. This is not a heavy lifting, highly demanding track, but all of its components find plenty of breathing room, which is actually a vital quality for a track of this design. Atmos suits it incredibly well.

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

Gattaca's UHD disc includes only one extra: the film's Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:26). The bundled Blu-ray includes all of the legacy content from the 2008 release. See below for an outline of what's included on the Blu-ray and please click here for more coverage.

• Deleted Scenes
• Original Featurette
• Welcome to Gattaca
• Do Not Alter?
• Substance Test Outtake
• Previews

Gattaca ships only in SteelBook packaging. Sony's front and rear panels are smooth and will display handling fingerprints in the darker areas. The front cover depicts Vincent on the left with an overlapping shadow depicting the wheelchair bound Jerome behind him. The film's title appears top right in black "futuristic" letters with a DNA strand running vertically behind it, stretching the entire panel's length. The rest of the space is filled with a golden-bronze metallic background color. The rear panel depicts Irene center-right wearing a shoulder-less dress and looking somewhat somberly down to the left. In that bottom left area, a rocket is blasting off towards the stars. Irene is colored similarly to the background color on the front. A dark gray color fills the back panel's remaining space. The spine carries over that golden-bronze color. The film's title appears center, just as it does on the front. A Sony logo appears at the bottom.

Inside, the digital copy code is tucked underneath the left-hand-side tabs. The two discs, one UHD and one Blu-ray, are situated on the right in staggered-stacked formation. The inner print is a two-panel spread that features nothing more than a simple dark blue/purple slate.

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

Gattaca's UHD release is top-tier for both its video and audio presentations. The new 2160p/HDR picture and Dolby Atmos soundtrack bring new life to a movie that questions what it really means to live as the human condition, and the human experience, are rewritten for better or for worse. There are no new extras of note. The SteelBook packaging is a nice touch. Highly recommended.