Kiss the Girls 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		2.5

Kiss the Girls 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the 1997 film 'Kiss the Girls,' directed by Gary Fleder and starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video. A DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is included. The disc contains no supplemental, content, and neither did the original 2015 Blu-ray, which was then distributed through Warner Brothers.

Kiss the Girls 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are lifted directly from the 2015 Blu-ray review since there is no Blu-ray from which to grab new screenshots.

Because Paramount has not included a Blu-ray, I can only write directly concerning the UHD rather than make any comparisons against the Blu-ray. On its own, the image is solid. The 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD definitely brings a satisfying, cinematic image to the screen, even if the movie is not by its nature one meant to dazzle and delight the visual senses. Nevertheless, what is presented here appears very faithful to the source. The picture is appropriately grainy. Grain is light but steady in density and consistency of pattern. The result is a good looking, stable, and healthy film look that satisfies the abilities of the UHD format. The picture offers stable detailing, presenting rock solid texturing that is clearly boosted beyond Blu-ray limitations. Complexities of faces, clothes, and environments show plenty of textural muscle, capable of presenting the finest and most intricately miniscule element with excellent depth and definition. It's hard to imagine, that, from detail and clarity perspectives, the movie looked much better than this in theaters.

The Dolby Vision color grading offers wonderful color expression. The movie is fairly dark at times and nicely bright at others. Bright natural greens in the various daytime woodland exteriors offer bold, naturally occurring greens that spring to life with a pop, depth, and accuracy that speaks to the realistic reproduction capabilities of both the film format and the Dolby Vision grading process. Clothing tones are full and skin tones appear very healthy and rich. Black level depth is strong but can teeter crush in the most densely dark and challenging low light scenes. However, the total absorption aids in mood and appears more deliberate than a fault of the UHD transfer.

The image is free of all but the tiniest print blemishes, and there are no obvious encode issues to report. This is the only area where this UHD has been upgraded, but it's the one that counts. This may not be a showstopper, but it is a very faithful and filmic. It may not be visually arresting, but is definitely visually satisfying.

Kiss the Girls 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

It appears that Paramount has transplanted the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack from the 2015 Warner Brothers release, but I did not review, nor do I have access to, that disc and cannot make that determination. However, after listening to the track and reading through Michael Reuben's review of the 2015 disc, it certainly appears to be very similar to, if not identical, to what is presented here. I'll link to that review here but also offer some standalone thoughts below.

This DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a very healthy and robust audio experience. Whether considering light atmosphere or intensely deep audio cues, the track is in great balance and offers precision placement and full immersion for the duration. Surrounds are active for both full spatial fill and one-off discrete elements that will have listeners looking around the listening area. The track is very full and supported by a potent, but never overbearing, subwoofer element. Musical engagement is wonderful, featuring wide front side spacing and just the right balance of back channel usage. Dialogue is clear, well prioritized, and flows evenly and naturally from the front-center speaker.

Kiss the Girls 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

I do not recall coming across a UHD that is quite so bare bones as Kiss the Girls. The disc immediately loads to a static menu screen with the generic box art image and offers only options to "Play" the film and toggle subtitles on and off. There are no audio options, there is no sub menu for selecting chapters, and of course there are no extras. There were no extras on the previous Blu-ray, either, but this is certainly a very streamlined UHD experience. No Blu-ray copy is included, and neither is a slipcover. Paramount has, at least, bundled in a digital copy voucher.

Kiss the Girls 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Paramount's UHD release of Kiss the Girls is a pretty low effort UHD all around, but at its core the upgraded picture quality is very good and fans will find it well worth the purchase, or perhaps for many the repurchase, price. Combined with enjoyable audio, the technical presentation is very good. However, it is definitely a no-frills release with a menu screen that's as basic as they come, no supplemental content, no Blu-ray copy, and no slipcover. This release is for serious fans of the film only or for first-time buyers.