It Came from Outer Space 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

It Came from Outer Space 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie Review

The 1953 science fiction classic 'It Came From Outer Space' makes its 4K debut courtesy of Universal. A Blu-ray disc with both a 2D and 3D presentation of the film is also included and appears to be identical to the 2016 Blu-ray release. Both the 4K disc and the Blu-ray disc also carry over the excellent English DTS-MA 3.0 audio track from the previous release. All of the legacy special features appear on these discs as well, but no new features are added. A slipcover and a Digital Code are also included.

It Came from Outer Space 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Please note that all included screenshots are sourced from the 1080p disc.

The 4K presentation of It Came From Outer Space represents an improvement over the Blu-ray disc in every capacity. Grain, which could sometimes be a bit chunky and problematic on the Blu-ray, is much lighter, finer, and much better resolved here. It's clearly present, but never distracting. Fine detail is also improved. Fabric textures show excellent levels of new detail, which is especially seen in Putnam's (Richard Carlson) jacket in the early moments with Ellen Fields (Barbara Rush). The increased detail visible in his home also provides many opportunities to examine the various decorations and surfaces, and later in the film, we get to appreciate the chunky depth and contours of the braided rugs as he follows a mysterious and glittery trail. Rush's vintage hairdo also shows a greater amount of detail, with individual flyaway hairs easily discernable. The previously somewhat confined spectrum of the black-and-white presentation has also been broadened. Blacks are deeper, inkier, and more convincing while whites have an opportunity to become brighter and crisper. The more absorbing black levels are probably my single favorite improvement as they ratchet up the spookiness in a number of scenes. The studio-bound shots look particularly sharp and precise with environmental particulars in plants, rocks, and gravel receiving significant enhancements. Location shots still have an increased level of resolution but can occasionally tend to be a bit softer, just as they were on the Blu-ray presentation. But make no mistake, a softer shot in the 4K presentation is still sharper than the same shot on the Blu-ray disc. It's a very strong, healthy, and satisfying 4K transfer of a classic film.

The video quality of the 2D and 3D presentations included on the accompanying Blu-ray disc is discussed here.

It Came from Outer Space 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Audio quality, as this track is identical to what accompanied the 2016 release, is discussed here.

It Came from Outer Space 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Special features, as they are identical to what were found on the 2016 release, are discussed here.

It Came from Outer Space 4K + 3D Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It Came From Outer Space 4K + 3D provides the best 2D presentation of the sci-fi classic available to date. With deeper blacks, brighter whites, higher levels of detail, and a very robust and era-appropriate English DTS-MA 3.0 audio track, it is a delightful trip back to yesteryear that has never looked better. Those with the proper equipment may still prefer to experience the film in 3D, and those who purchase this release will certainly have that option. However, for everyone else, the 4K disc is going to be the go-to. Collectors who own the previous release will strongly want to consider upgrading as the improvements are plentiful and substantial, and for those who have yet to add this film to their libraries, this release is Highly Recommended.