Jarhead 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Jarhead 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Based on the book of the same name by former Marine Corps Scout Sniper Anthony Swofford, 'Jarhead (2005)' makes its way to 4K UHD disc courtesy of Universal. The film tells of Swofford's experiences during Operation Desert Storm and stars Jake Gyllenhaal ('Source Code') as Anthony Swofford, a young man who wasn't exactly thrilled with enlisting, Jamie Foxx as Staff Sergeant Sykes ('Ray'), and Peter Sarsgaard (Troy, 'Garden State'). This release brings forward a host of extras that have been absent since the DVD/HD-DVD era, though no new on-disc supplemental material has been created. Technical merits are solid, with the release boasting an eye-catching 2160p presentation and an efficient Dolby Atmos track. A slipcover, a Blu-ray disc, and a Digital Code redeemable via Movies Anywhere are also included.

Jarhead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Jarhead has been given a very healthy-looking HEVC-encoded 2160p presentation with Dolby Vision in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. The desaturated color palette complements the fatigues that the Marines wear and helps convey a sense of the desert heat, with there often being little difference between the color of the sky and the color of the sand. There are few opportunities for colors of any sort, let alone primaries to pop or dazzle, but the brief shot of soldiers silhouetted against the sunset provides some lush, for this film at least, reds, oranges, and purples and is an early visual highlight. Blacks are deep and inky. Skin tones look universally healthy within the established color parameters. Fine detail levels are quite high, with facial particulars such as fine lines, wrinkles, stubble, and the like being plainly visible. Fabrics likewise present with significant tactile realism from t-shirts, which fuzz and pill from wear, to the more substantive fatigues with chunky stitching and observable distress. Environmental particulars are also open for inspection, but based on how the film was shot, and the desert locations, detail is typically more observable in the foreground than in the distance. While not showcase material, it's a noticeable upgrade.

Screenshots are sourced from the 4K UHD discs and downscaled to 1080 and are in SDR.

Jarhead 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Jarhead does not dramatically reinvent the listening experience and, as such, is not quite as consistently immersive as one might hope. The film's sonic highlights primarily include numerous musical interludes where songs are pushed to the forefront, such as C + C Music Factory's "Gonna Make You Sweat", which dominates the sound stage after the impromptu football game played for the television crew. The rare instance of a rainstorm, which, during the following scene, provides some impressive, albeit brief, immersion, as raindrops splatter and thunder echoes. Dialogue is front and center focused, and is consistently clear and devoid of issue, and as with the previous release's DTS-HD MA 5.1, ambient or atmospheric sounds are not present to more fully ground the viewer in the space or scene. As one would hope and expect, the sounds of battle - gunshots, explosions, and the like - are well rendered and supported by a healthy LFE presence. Directionality is precise and viewers can easily track land and air vehicles, actors, and objects through the stage. It's a very solid track that, as with the video presentation, does a very solid job at what it is asked to do, though it does not rise to the level of being among the format's best.

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

This latest release of Jarhead includes all of DVD-era extras and two audio commentaries as detailed below. Please note that while this full assortment of material is found on the 4K UHD disc, only the commentary tracks make their way to the Blu-ray disc.

• Swoff's Fantasies (6:25) - Scenes include "D.I. In a Dress", "Fantasy Interview", "Exploding Major", "Swoff's Kill".

• News Interviews in Full (16:40) - These are the full interviews the news crew conducted with the Marines as they wait for action. They are available with commentary from Director Sam Mendes and Editor Walter Murch.

• Deleted Scenes (19:50) - Eleven scenes are included here for viewers to enjoy and are available with commentary from Director Sam Mendes and Editor Walter Murch.

• 'Jarhead Diaries' with Introduction by Director Sam Mendes (30:36) - This vintage featurette features a dedicated team that shot the documentary, which is supplemented by footage shot by the actors themselves.

• Background with Introduction by Director Sam Mendes (30:52) - Focusing on the experiences of the extras in the film Deedee Ricketts-Walts (Extras Casting) describes what she was looking for to source extras to serve as soldiers in the platoon, before we meet some of those who were cast, and we hear their stories.

• Semper Fi: Life After the Corps (35:58) - After introductions by Director Sam Mendes and Author Anthony Swofford the documentary focuses on some of those who fought in the war the film brings to life, and spotlights is the issues and challenges some of those who fought faced when returning home. The documentary is a mix of contemporary interviews, stills, and war footage.

• Feature Commentary with Director Sam Mendes - In this DVD-era commentary track, Director Sam Mendes keeps his comments largely focused on the on-screen action, but begins by expanding upon a deleted opening scene which he ultimately felt did not tonally fit with the film. He also discusses the improvisation that took place in the scene with the drill instructor and the number of takes they shot. Mendes discusses his approach to translating the book into a screenplay. His commentary track is largely akin to a play-by-play, with his comments mostly driven by the on-screen action, and he often provides significant details, reasons for changes, and the source material. Mendes is rarely silent, and it's an entertaining and interesting listen.

• Feature Commentary with Screenwriter William Broyles Jr. and Author Anthony Swofford - In another DVD-era commentary, the two writers do a commendable job providing a great deal of information about turning the book into a compelling screenplay. Their comments not only cover the film but also explore their real-world experiences during their own periods of service which were decades apart. They occasionally fall silent, waiting for the on-screen action to again spur their comments. They comment on their push for realism and authenticity as they try to bring a true Marine experience to the screen. It's a relaxed but enjoyable track.

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

Though often funny, Jarhead does little to glamourize war, nor to romanticize those in the trenches and on the front lines. The portrayal of Swofford, Staff Sergeant Sykes, and the rest of the enlisted men is honest and heartfelt, filled with as much tragedy as triumph. The direction by Sam Mendes is captivating, and the screenplay by William Broyles Jr. allows events to unfold organically, with plenty of opportunities for small moments to reveal much about the men and their growth and development as both people and soldiers. The improvements to the video presentation are appreciated, and while the there isn't as dramatic a difference between the 4K disc's Dolby Atmos track and the DTS-HD MA 5.1 of the Blu-ray, it feels faithful and accurate to the source for a film that is often dialogue-driven. While some new supplemental material would have been most welcome, the inclusion of the long-absent DVD-era material should delight fans, and Jarhead 4K comes strongly recommended.