Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman September 23, 2016

Sony previously released 'Labyrinth' to Blu-ray in 2009. This 30th anniversary UHD reissue features several new supplements, a restored 2160p transfer from a 4K scan, and a new Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Unfortunately, the excellent Digibook packaging that comes with the 1080p-only release is not part of this set (the 1080p disc, however, is).

For a full film review, please click here.

Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.

Brian Henson, via a leaflet included with the release, writes this about the new picture presentation for Labyrinth:

Using the original 35mm camera negative as the source, the film was scanned and fully restored at 4K resolution.This resulted in a significant increase in detail, color and vibrancy -- key elements to the film's unique and sophisticated visuals, from the layers in Jareth's costume as he starts Sarah on her adventure to the intricate features of the goblins that inhabit the labyrinth itself. It has been exciting to bring the look of the film back to how it was originally intended -- if not better! Using both the color detail from the negative and my father's personal print of the film as a reference, we were able to carefully match the look and feel for each scene throughout.

Labyrinth's restoration pays off in a big way on UHD. As one would expect, there 35mm elements and the 4K scan yield excellent results on the new format. The image is noticeably tighter in 2160p, sharpening up -- naturally -- many of the finer details like clothing lines, hair, puppets, and environmental details. The leap isn't as drastic in foreground elements, but it's worthwhile, and those with very large screens should notice an even more robust increase in detail than those viewing on a surface hovering around the 60"-70" range. The UHD's benefit over the Blu-ray seems more clear in objects further from the screen, where the uptick in clarity is significant. Grain does seem a bit thicker on the UHD. Colors are more nuanced. They're not punchier, but the palette enjoys a clearly greater range of subtle shadings that give the movie a fuller look, but at the same time one that's slightly less aggressive. The UHD's palette feels more natural, and the HDR color hasn't pushed the image to overheating or looking like a cartoon. It's a very natural image, beautiful in motion, and perfectly complementary of the movie's many areas of exploration, particularly in the puppets but also environments and costumes. Black levels are excellent, flesh tones retain that slight rosiness mentioned in the 1080p review, and even with grain a little sharper on this release, there are no other distracting artifacts or signs of encode trouble. Viewers watching in 1080p aren't going to walk away disappointed, but those who can view the film in 4K are in for a real treat.

Labyrinth 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Labyrinth features a brand-new Dolby Atmos track, replacing the previous release's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 presentation. There are a few good moments of overhead support in the track. Thunder seems to roll through, and a bit above, the listening area during the rainstorm in which Sarah is caught to begin the film. Several deep, heavy rumbles and Ludo's bellowing saturate the stage on all planes about midway through, resulting in the movie's most potent sonic moment and the most intense and immersive example of the Atmos track's capabilities. Combine that overhead support with full saturation surround and the thunderous, but well-maintained, bass, and it's practically a reference worthy moment. A few vocal reverberations penetrate with a nice sense of top layer support, one of which comes moments following the previously mentioned Ludo scene. The overhead portion of the track is largely complimentary, however. That's not surprising, but the track chooses its moments wisely and the limited overhead elements add quite a bit to the experience, as needed. The rest of the track is magnificent. Music embodies all of the good qualities the track has on offer, including spacious front side presence, a healthy and balanced surround support structure, and more pleasantly robust bass. Clarity is terrific, instrumental and vocal alike, with the latter staying firmly entrenched in the front-center channel. Smaller support atmospherics are well integrated and positioned. Dialogue is clear and detailed, always well prioritized and, like the musical lyrics, remaining in the front-center unless situation dictates otherwise. This is a fantastic soundtrack that, literally, brings a new layer of excellence to the Labyrinth sound experience.

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

Labyrinth's UHD release carries over all the supplements from the newly released 1080p disc, which is included in this set. No bonus features exclusive to the UHD are included, unless one counts a few cast and crew stills and the collection of "Moments" (2160p, Atmos sound), or categorized clips from the film, which include Sarah (12:17), The Goblin King (17:09), Hoggle (9:11), and Creatures (16:42). The audio commentary track does carry over to the UHD disc. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

The following extras appear on the 1080p disc. New supplemental materials are marked as such, and reviewed. Write-ups on carryover extras can be found by clicking here.

• Audio Commentary with Brian Froud: A carryover supplement from the 2009 release.
• NEW! Reordering Time: Looking Back at Labyrinth (1080p, 9:31): Jennifer Connelly, Brian Henson, Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, The Center for Puppetry Arts' Vincent Anthony, and Jim Henson in vintage clips look back on the film and experiences on-set and making the movie, the movie's originality, Jim Henson's style and imagination, Connelly's performance, working with puppets, anecdotes from the shoot, and more.
• NEW! The Henson Legacy (1080p, 10:36): Many of the same interviewees (including, again, vintage Henson clips) from the previous supplement share their thoughts on Henson's creativity, Henson family life in and out of the workplace, transplanting Henson's collection of physical puppets and props to The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, restoring and maintaining the collection, and Henson's legacy. The piece also includes an interesting glimpse through part of the Henson Collection at The Center, both items on display and tucked away in the back for restoration work.
• NEW! Remembering The Goblin King (1080p, 4:48): Interviewees share their thoughts on David Bowie, the man and the character he portrayed in Labyrinth. The piece looks at casting, Bowie's contributions to the film, his presence and persona on set, and his performance.
• NEW! Anniversary Q&A (1080p, 41:24): Moderator Adam Savage hosts Muppeteers Brian Henson (who departs early), Karen Prell, Dave Goelz, and later, Labyrinth Actress Shari Weiser, who discuss the art of puppetry and, of course, much about Labyrinth. They also field a few audience questions. Some archival footage and clips from the film are interspersed throughout.
• "Inside the Labyrinth" Making of Documentary (480i, 56:28): A carryover supplement from the 2009 release.
• Journey Through the Labyrinth: "Kingdom of Characters" (480i, 27:57): A carryover supplement from the 2009 release.
• Journey Through the Labyrinth: "The Quest for the Goblin City" (480i, 30:03): A carryover supplement from the 2009 release.
• The Storytellers - Picture in Picture (1080p): A carryover supplement from the 2009 release.
• NEW! Theatrical Trailers (1080p, 4:08 total runtime): A trio of trailers for the film.

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

Labyrinth is a good movie that's earned a great UHD release. The picture quality is fantastic and a clear step up from the excellent 1080p presentation. The Atmos soundtrack is fine and the mix of new and old supplements make this a complete package. Most unfortunately, UHD buyers will not receive the handsome Digibook packaging, which is one of the major selling points of the 1080p-only release. Super fans will definitely want to pick up both. UHD owners owe it to themselves to see the movie at this resolution, but also own the movie in its superior physical presentation. Decisions, decisions...