Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Last Christmas 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

"Look up."

Arriving just in time for the holiday season, Paul Feig's 'Last Christmas' lands on 4K UHD disc courtesy of Universal. Filled with the music of George Micheal and Wham!, the film stars Emilia Clarke ('Game of Thrones') as Kate, a young woman struggling to make it on her own in London as a singer, but supports her chaotic existence working in a Christmas shop. The film also features film legend Michelle Yeoh ('Star Trek: Discovery', 'Magnificient Warriors'), her 'Crazy Rich Asians' co-star Henry Golding, and Emma Thompson, who also co-wrote the film. Featuring a dazzling 4K UHD presentation and a new Dolby Atmos audio track, it's a release sure to delight its fans. 'Last Christmas' comes complete with a Blu-ray disc and a Digital Code redeemable through Movies Anywhere.

It's that wonderful time of year again when Christmas movies old and new burst forth from home video set-ups. Typically colorful, touching, funny, and nostalgic, the peril is typically mild, plot twists are almost assured, and the ending, well, that can almost always be seen coming for miles. It's all usually served up nicely with a bow on top and generates the same all-over warm feeling as a pair of comfy slippers, a cozy blanket, and a hot mug of cocoa. This film, while it does tread some very familiar and well-worn ground, also makes choices to go off in its own direction at times, keeping the plot different and fresh enough for even the most seasoned holiday movie viewers. Also helping to set it apart from a festively crowded field is its spectacular cast led by Clarke and Golding, who have undeniable chemistry and who both possess considerable magnetism. Yeoh's performance is never less than commanding and often quite funny, while Thompson, though her character is decidedly downtrodden, turns in an excellent performance as well.

Last Christmas 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

My colleague Marting Liebman gushed over the previous Blu-ray release, and with good reason. It looked fantastic. However, as good as the 1080p transfer looked, the new 4k UHD presentation offers a pleasant upgrade. Fine detail levels are universally off the charts. Character makeup, whether perfect like Michelle Yeoh's or running and beleaguered such as Clarke's when she's in the shower in the hilarious and not unexpected scene from the film's first few minutes of the film, every color and element is visible. Likewise, Yoeh's perfectly coifed hairdo can be appreciated as much as Thompson's unkempt and unruly greying mane. Once inside the holiday shop where Clarke labors for Yeoh, every ornament is distinct and sparkling, every strand of tinsel is distinct, and every pine needle could be counted (if only the camera remained still for a long enough period of time. Colors are deeply and perfectly saturated, with the omnipresent Santa-ish holiday ornamental reds and the iconic double-decker busses presenting with excellent pop and greens shining forth quite lushly as well. Blacks are beautifully deep and help to add healthy depth and dimensionality to indoor and outdoor environments alike. Whites, both on costumes and holiday lights can be brilliant when it's appropriate to be so. Skin tones are never less than spot-on and healthy. Chunky knit sweaters and scarves present with realistic tactile fibrousness. Environmental particulars in London's brickwork and ironmongery display authentic textures, and every leaf, blade of grass, light, and flag is discreet and well-defined in Tom's "secret garden". It's an absolutely dazzling presentation.

Please note, the accompanying screenshots are sourced from the included 1080p disc.

Last Christmas 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Last Christmas's Dolby Atmos track won't be getting a lump of coal in its stocking. It's definitely on the "Nice" list. Bass levels are excellent, supporting music well and adding oompf to sound effects such as the comedic demise of an exotic fish, unfortunate spontaneous combustion, slamming doors, and the like. These moments are typically brief, but they are impressive nonetheless. Surrounds are used to great effect in support of the film's score and fills the room wonderfully. Ambient environmental sounds place the viewer on London's streets, in the shops, and in other locations, sometimes subtly, other times more boisterously. The George Michael songs that populate the film are rendered with great fidelity, though sometimes they aren't allowed to linger as long as the viewer might wish. Dialogue is cleanly reproduced and centrally focused. Directionality is excellent and exactingly precise. It's a great track.

Last Christmas 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

For a full accounting of the on-disc supplemental material, please follow this link.

Last Christmas 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Holiday movies may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for viewers who are looking for something a bit different than the typical fare would be well- advised to check out Last Christmas. The stakes may be lower than other romantic comedies and/or dramas, as is often the case for holiday films, but the film is elevated by Clarke and Golding, two actors who are, as usual, instantly compelling and engaging. The George Michael soundtrack serves to drive nostalgia and supports the various moods of the story. Thompson and Yeoh are perfect in their roles in a film that is touching, funny, and sweet without being saccharin. It's not that often when I'm viewing a film that the entirety of my family and their significant others matriculate into the room and stay through to the closing credits, but that's what happened when I was screening Last Christmas, and if that's not some kind of endorsement, I'm not sure what is. With a brilliant 2160p transfer and stirring Dolby Atmos soundtrack, Last Christmas 4K is definitely strongly recommended holiday viewing.