Hardware 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Hardware 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Hardware is a science-fiction cult genre movie. Based on the story "SHOK!" by Steve MacManus and Kevin O'Neill. Starring Dylan McDermott, Stacey Travis, Carl McCoy, Iggy Pop, John Lynch, and Mark Northover.

Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, humankind is struggling to survive – and get by. Zone Tripper Moses Baxter (Dylan McDermott) discovers a cyborg skull and brings it home to his girlfriend who is obsessed with metal, Jill (Stacey Travis). The skull contains the brain of the MA.R.K. 13 a military combat droid. Mayhem ensues. Can any flesh be spared?

The performances play a big role in the production. Dylan McDermott and Stacey Travis are both impressive in their respective roles. The performances add a lot to the filmmaking and make it an entertaining, gripping, and compelling science-fiction film.

The score composed by Simon Boswell (Hackers, Dust Devil) is well-done and one of the best components of the film. The music is exceptional and adds a lot of intrigue to the entire film. Everything about the score is first-rate and adds a sense of wonderment to the production. The score is a perfect backdrop to the science-fiction action and it provides an ambitious music quality that is undeniable.

The cinematography by Steven Chivers (Dust Devil, Highlander: The Final Dimension) is well done and one of the best aspects of the feature. Chivers is a talented cinematographer and this is a gorgeously photographed film. The visuals are haunting, compelling, and memorable. There is a lot of joy in the visuals and what the cinematography brings to the table. A wondrous effort all around.

Edited by Derek Trigg (Link, Dust Devil), Hardware is well paced. The editing is a big part of the production. The sense of style and pacing is essential in the film. Trigg delivers something that is absolutely compelling from beginning to end. The editing works across the board.

The production designs by Joseph Bennett (Deep Blue Sea, Event Horizon) are incredible and this is where a lot of the creativity is on full display. The design elements are so evocative and fun. The production is all the better for it. The results add up to an even more complex sci-fi film. What outstanding designs – the designs add so much to the filmmaking.

The costume designs by Michael Baldwin (Theater of Blood, The Quatermass Conclusion) are well-done. The costuming is a huge part of the production. Baldwin is a talented costume designer and the results here are first-rate. The designs are well thought out and work well for each of the main cast members.

The action scenes are well done. One of the best components of the science-fiction genre is how it can blend together different genre elements. The action sequences are intense, focused, and creative. An undeniable strength of the film. The genre elements also play well against a sense of paranoia that is used to showcase the dangers of technology.

The screenplay by Richard Stanley is entertaining and exciting. Directed by Richard Stanley (Dust Devil, Color Out of Space), Hardware is a must-see science-fiction film. Stanley is a huge talent and someone with a unique visual style as director. The filmmaking is bold, ambitious, creative, and original. There is something remarkably special about Hardware and it is entertaining from beginning to end. A must see.

Hardware 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on 4K UHD by Umbrella Entertainment, Hardware is presented in HEVC / H.265 2160p in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The presentation receives a fully uncut and uncensored HDR grade. The HDR10 (standard) grading looks incredible.

The film looks superb throughout. The depth of the blacks and the detail apparent in the transfer is first-rate. The cinematography shines on the release. A top-notch presentation from start to finish with the 4K restoration appearing nearly pristine throughout.

The encoding on the release is top-notch, too. The release features Fidelity in Motion encoding. The encode effort helps a huge amount. Detail is well preserved throughout the presentation. The high bit-rate encoding is terrific and a testament to the quality of the work done by Fidelity in Motion.

Hardware 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. The lossless audio encoding is top-notch and one of the best components of the presentation. The score is enveloping and immersive – the crystal-clear audio providing superb dynamics and fidelity. Dialogue is clear and easy to understand. The sound-staging of the surround sound presentation is first-rate. A top-notch lossless presentation.

One of the great things about physical media and the Blu-ray/4K format is the lossless audio encoding. Streaming video service are still limited to lossy (non-lossless) audio encoding. For home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles seeking the best possible audio experience, the physical format offers a distinct advantage that is undeniable. The presentation quality boost makes the experience all the more engaging and exhilarating.

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

The limited edition from Umbrella Entertainment includes a deluxe chipboard artbox package design, a slipcovered copy inside of the set, a 150+ page book with behind the scenes and artwork, a 100+ page book for the unproduced Hardware 2: Ground Zero screenplay, 8 art cards, and a poster. Umbrella Entertainment once again knocked it out of the park with an exceptional and deep supplemental package. The extra are extensive, in depth, and undeniably a huge part of the draw for fans. The amount of love, care, and attention given to the film is first rate across the board. 

The 4K:

Audio Commentary with Director Richard Stanley

Audio Commentary with Director Richard Stanley and Producer Paul Trijbits

Original Storyboard Featurette (HD, 1:33:53)

The Blu-ray:

Audio Commentary with Director Richard Stanley

Audio Commentary with Director Richard Stanley and Producer Paul Trijbits

No Flesh Shall Be Spared: The Making of Hardware (HD, 53:59) delves into the making of the feature-film. An almost hour long making-of, the behind-the-scenes feature will be especially compelling for big fan of the film. The making-of is extensive and the feature provides a lot of information for fans. Umbrella did a terrific job including this making of feature on the release. 

Interview with Director Richard Stanley (HD, 44:12) exploring the world of the film. 

Interview with Producer Stephen Woolley (HD, 16:50)

Hardware: Richard Stanley's Bitter Messages of Hopeless Grief - A Video Essay by Bryn Tilly (HD, 11:06) is a video essay exploring the themes of the film. 

Original Storyboard Featurette (HD, 1:33:53)

Deleted and Extended Scenes (SD, 22:07) cut from the final version of the film. 

Richard Stanley on Hardware 2 (HD, 7:42) discussing the potential sequel and what could have been in the second outing. 

Hardware Promo Videos with Iggy Pop and Lemmy (HD, 1:53)

Original Hardware Promo Video (SD, 3:32)

Rites of Passage – 1983 Short Film (SD, 9:48)

Incidents in an Expanding Universe – 1985 Short Film (SD, 44:27)

The Voice of the Moon – 1990 Documentary (SD, 33:47)

The Sea of Perdition – 2006 Short Film (HD, 8:52)

Trailer (HD, 2:07)

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

Hardware is an incredible science-fiction action film. The genre filmmaking is top-notch throughout and there is so much to appreciate about the adventure. The performances are worthwhile, the production look incredible, and the score is terrific. A wonderfully written-and-directed gem by Richard Stanley (Dust Devil).

The 4K UHD release feature a superb presentation, HDR grade, and lossless audio. Umbrella has provided an immersive assortment of bonus features – both on disc and physical goodies. The on disc supplement are extensive and there are hours of supplements to keep fans of the film engaged. The effort from Umbrella Entertainment is outstanding. The limited set include a 150+ page book with behind-the-scenes content, a 100+ page book for the unproduced sequel, art cards, a poster, and more. A must-own release for a fan of the film.