Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Mallrats 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman June 24, 2023

Arrow is revisiting their 2020 1080 (you get it, I know) release of Mallrats with a new 4K version that, per their longstanding business model, does not include any 1080 discs, but which commendably ports over most but not quite all of the rather generous supply of bonus material that was included on that first release. Parts of my original 1080 review will be repeated below, as appropriate.

Fans of this film may get to explore the equivalent of a mall's labyrinth of hallways and corridors in terms of our previous coverage of Blu-ray releases. Those interested can start with my Mallrats Blu-ray review of Arrow's 1080 version, a review which in turn points to Brian Orndorf's Mallrats Blu-ray review of Universal's own release of the film.

Mallrats 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the previous 1080 release by Arrow. As mentioned above, this release does not include any 1080 discs.

Mallrats is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the restoration, some of which is word for word the same as in the 1080 booklet, but with a bit more information for this new 4K release:

Mallrats has been exclusively restored by Arrow Films and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1 with 5.1 audio.

The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K resolution at NBC Universal's Studio Post facility. A 35mm interpositive element was also scanned in 4K for the content unique to the Director's Cut version. The film was restored in 4K and graded in HDR10 at R3Store Studios, London. Dolby Vision grading was completed by Fidelity in Motion, New York. This restoration has been approved by Director Kevin Smith and Director of Photography David Klein.

All materials for this restoration were made available by NBC Universal.

This is another really appealing looking 4K UHD presentation from Arrow, though kind of ironically some may react to the relative chunkiness of the grain at times with the same kind of approbation that earlier videophiles reacted to the relatively smooth and grain free 1080 presentation from Universal. That said, those who regularly read my 4K UHD reviews know that I can tend to chafe when grain becomes too chunky in some 4K presentations, and I'd argue that for the most part that is not the case here, with a rather commendably tight resolution of grain, with some understanding that there are variabilities at play, not necessarily due to lighting conditions, as I mentioned in my original 1080 review. Detail levels enjoy some subtle but noticeable upticks, and I'd say the biggest difference to my eyes between the 1080 and 4K UHD versions was general saturation and some highlights added courtesy of HDR and/or Dolby Vision. Suffusion is at least marginally improved, but it may be most noticeable in moments like the "comic book" credits sequence, where primaries are amazingly bold, and also some of the later material in the mall that takes place in an almost absurdly pink environment. All of this said, there are still some relatively drab look moments, as in the first bedroom scene between Shannen Doherty and Jason Lee. As with the 1080 presentations, the Extended Cut can show some noticeable quality differences between the interpositive and negative source elements, though I'd argue they're really not huge. My overall score is 4.25.

Mallrats 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Mallrats features both DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks (the Universal release Brian reviewed featured only the surround track). The surround track probably offers the most noticeable immersion courtesy of both the ubiquitous source cues as well as some of the almost echo laden acoustics of the mall itself. Some of what Brian rightly calls the "cartoonish" mayhem that ensues also provides some goofy sound effects. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout this problem free presentation. Optional English subtitles are available.

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

Disc One

• Theatrical Cut (UHD; 1:34:45)

  Introduction by Kevin Smith (HD; 12:31) is new and can be found under the Play menu, and is authored to move on automatically to the main feature.

• Cast and Crew Commentary features director Kevin Smith, producer Scott Mosier, archivist Vincent Pereira, and actors Jason Lee, Ben Affleck and Jason Mewes.


• My Mallrat Memories (HD; 29:58) is a fun new interview with Kevin Smith featuring his memories of making the film.


• My Mallrats: A Tribute to Jim Jacks (HD; 12:57) features Kevin Smith again, this time talking about producer Jim Jacks.


• Blunt Talk (HD; 9:59) is a new interview with Jason Mewes.


• Hollywood of the North (HD; 10:13) is a kind of out there animated making of documentary featuring cartoon versions of some of the Minnesota crew members who worked on the film.


• When We Were Punks (HD; 6:08) is a new interview with Director of Photography David Klein.


• Deleted Scenes (HD; 1:02:48) feature interstitial discussions from Kevin Smith and Vincent Pereira.


• Outtakes and Behind the Scenes Footage (HD; 8:12) are windowboxed with timecodes.


• Cast Interviews from the Original Set (HD; 8:37)


• Erection of an Epic: The Making of Mallrats (HD; 22:09) is an archival retrospective.


• Q & A with Kevin Smith (HD; 9:01) is an archival piece done for the film's 10th anniversary.


• Build Me Up Buttercup Music Video (HD; 3:38)


• Trailer (HD; 2:23)

Disc Two

• Extended Cut (UHD; 2:01:50)

  Introduction by Kevin Smith (HD; 11:00) is an archival piece which also features producer Scott Mosier, and which can be found under the Play menu for this version. As with the Theatrical Cut, above, this is authored to move on automatically to the main feature.



• Soundtrack EPK (HD*; 4:20) is an archival piece featuring Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier.


• Dailies (HD; 1:59:35) may ostensibly be in high definition, but were obviously culled from relatively low grade video masters with "old school" issues like tracking problems.


• Stills Galleries

  Behind the Scenes Stills (HD)

  
  

  Comics (HD)

*720

Additionally, this release features a Collector's booklet featuring an essay by Philip Kemp, and a fold out poster featuring replica blueprints for "Operation Drive-By" and "Operation Dark Knight". The keepcase has a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Robert Sammelin. Packaging features a slipcover.

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

It may strike some as slightly humorous or at least ironic that at the time of its production and release, Mallrats' biggest star was probably Shannen Doherty. But part of the fun of this film is actually seeing some now much better known cast members at earlier stages of their careers. Smith's peculiar writing and performing choices (for both himself and others) are perhaps an acquired taste, but Mallrats has its own distinctive if kind of silly pleasures. This new 4K UHD release of Mallrats from Arrow boasts generally solid technical merits, though completists will note that this release does not include the TV Cut that was part of Arrow's 1080 release. Recommended.