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

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.5

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

The 1953 science fiction classic returns to 4K disc in the 'It Came From Outer Space: Limited Edition SteelBook 4K + 3D' courtesy of Universal. Directed by Jack Arnold ('Creature From the Black Lagoon'), and with writing credits shared by Ray Bradbury ('Fahrenheit 451') and Harry Essex ('The Sons of Katie Elder'), the film is concerned with the aftermath of a spacecraft crashing in the Arizona desert. The release includes a Blu-ray disc with a 2D and 3D presentation, an English DTS-MA 3.0 audio track, the legacy special features from the 2016 Blu-ray release, and a Digital Code. No new on-disc supplemental material has been added. For a discussion of this new SteelBook, please scroll down to the "Special Features and Extras" section.

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

For comments regarding the film's 4K presentation, please follow this link.

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

For thoughts on the film's audio track, please follow this link.

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

Conjuring the sense of wonder, mystery and horror that accompanies the discovery of the downed alien craft, the cover of the new SteelBook finds the main characters from the film gathered at the edge of the crater, looking down into it. In the yellowish glow from it's center, the film's title is printed in black letters. Above them, in a hazy purple cloud, an alien eye looks down on the scene. The cover is an eerie and colorful mix purples, blues and yellows. The spine carries over the the image from the front cover, with the film's title centered and in white block letters. Universal's logo is found at the bottom. The back cover continues the landscape, sky, and color scheme from the front. Toward the bottom, writer John Putnam (Richard Carlson) and Ellen Fields (Barbara Rush) stand furtively next to Putnam's parked car. A short distance behind them, we see his house, and above them, a fiery ball streaks through the sky from the right to the left. Is it a shooting star, or something else? The image is framed by towering cacti.

Opening the SteelBook, the tabs on the left hold the Digital Code. On the right side, the 4K UHD disc and the Blu-ray disc are stagger-stacked, each on its own hub, with the 4K UHD disc on top. Removing all of the contents reveals a two panel image of the downed spherical alien craft on the left side. A glittery trail leads away from it through the rocky desert landscape to the right. Overall, it's an effective design with a cover that is a logical extension of the original poster art, and an interior image that captures the sense of fear and wonder that comes with the potential for first contact with an alien species. There are no embossed or debossed elements. The SteelBook has a glossy finish so all due care should be used when handling it so as to avoid fingerprints associated with normal handling.

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

As the discs are identical to the standard 4K release from 2023, the new It Came From Outer Space: Limited Edition SteelBook 4K + 3D provides the best 2D presentation of the sci-fi classic available to date, but with the added attraction of SteelBook packaging. It's the same great and era-appropriate audio track as well, providing science fiction fans with a delightful trip back to yesteryear. 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 either the previous standard 4K release or the slipboxed It Came From Outer Space: Universal Essentials Collection 4K + 3D may have a conundrum on their hands as to whether or not to double- or triple-dip for this option, but for those who have yet to add this film to their libraries, this release is highly recommended.