7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
DJay is a Memphis hustler who spends most days in a parked Chevy philosophizing about life while Nola turn tricks in the backseat. But DJay is in the midst of a midlife crisis; he quietly harbors dreams of becoming a respected rapper. When he learns from a local club owner, Arnel that rap mogul Skinny Black is rolling through town, DJay decides to record his flow with the hopes of slipping his demo to Skinny.
Starring: Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning, Taraji P. Henson, Paula Jai ParkerCrime | 100% |
Music | 36% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Paramount has released the 2005 film 'Hustle & Flow,' directed by Craig Brewer and starring Terrence Howard, Taraji Henson, Anthony Anderson, and Ludacris, to the UHD format as part of its prestigious 'Paramount Presents' collection. The two-disc set includes new 2160p/Dolby Vision video on the UHD disc and a new 1080p image sourced from the same master on the Blu-ray disc. Both discs include a new lossless soundtrack, too. A new extra is included as well. The film first released to Blu-ray in 2007 with troubled video and lossy audio. I do not own, nor did I review, that disc, so I cannot offer a direct comparative review, so this review will simply examine the discs on their own merits.
This package includes two newly remastered presentations, both sourced from a new 4K remaster. First, a few words on the Blu-ray: the 1080p image
is healthy and vigorous, holding to the film's critical grain structure with is gritty and dense but faithfully organic and true to the original filmmaker
vision and film stock. There is no appearance of digital tinkering to lessen the healthy and frankly beautiful structure on display. Details are tack-sharp
and viewers will soak in all of the rough urban details in various locales, intricate skin textures (including sweat, hair, and pores), and clothing lines and
fabric specifics. The image boasts a healthy color palette, which is slightly faded and dull by design, but there is good pop to bold hues, plenty of
vividness to whites, and solid black level depth. Skin tones are likewise healthy and organic. There are no obvious print flaws or encode defects to note.
The UHD is a clear amplification of all that the Blu-ray offers. The picture maintains the gritty, grainy appearance with an even more faithfully rich and
dense grain structure and, again because it is sourced from the same master, without any feel for processing. Textural elements are routinely rich and
elegant, and the UHD brings out the finest the film source has to offer. Clarity is exceptional within the natural film parameters, and viewers will note
the natural complexity of faces, clothes, and locations. The UHD boosts visible intimacy and overall sharpness and clarity, not to a substantial level, but
certainly enough to notice and to make the image the clear-cut superior of the two. The color palette is wonderful, again like the Blu-ray appearing
slightly flat and faded by design but boasting exceptionally rich tones, including wonderfully dense and detailed blacks and more vivid whites. Skin
tones
look perfect as well, and like the Blu-ray there are no signs of print or encode trouble. This is a fabulous looking and faithfully filmic transfer from
Paramount. Fans who have labored through the 2007 release for some time now will find this a very worthy upgrade on both formats.
Rather than remix for Dolby Atmos, Paramount has chosen to deliver Hustle & Flow to the UHD format, as well as to the newly remastered Blu-ray, with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The presentation more than satisfies the film's sonic needs. Heavy bass beats are prodigiously deep and prominent. Musical stretch along the front, which includes some stage traversal, is wonderfully clear and well positioned. Surround engagement is extensive for both music and atmosphere. Even in the opening monologue inside the car, there is a very tangible sense of mild location detail that brings critical sonic life to the scene, including train whistles heard in the far distance. The track carries many of these same characteristics for the duration, offering listeners wonderfully clear, detailed, spacious, and immersive musical beats and first-class environmental clarity and nuance. Listeners will always feel fully engaged with every aspect of this track's lifeblood. Dialogue is, of course, well prioritized, centered, and clearly lifelike for the duration.
This new release of Hustle & Flow includes all of the extras from the original 2007 Blu-ray while also adding a new retrospective with Director
Craig Brewer. The new extra is marked as new and reviewed below. Coverage of the carryover content can be found by clicking here. This release is the 41st in the "Paramount Presents" line
and includes the slipcover with fold-open poster artwork. A digital copy code is included with purchase.
Paramount has released Hustle & Flow with a first-class new Blu-ray and UHD presentations, a rock-solid 5.1 lossless soundtrack, and plenty of extras, including a returning suite and a wonderful new director retrospective. Fans are going to find this a well worthy upgrade.
2005
Academy Awards O-Sleeve
2005
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2005
Director's Cut
1993
25th Anniversary Edition
1998
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The Mack and His Pack
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2018
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30th Anniversary Edition
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2021
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