National Lampoon's Animal House 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

National Lampoon's Animal House 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has released the fan favorite 1978 John Landis Comedy 'Animal House' to the UHD format where the film receives a much-needed visual upgrade. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and a DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. No new extras are included and the bundled Blu-ray is identical to the disc Universal released in 2011.

I swear to buy this UHD.

National Lampoon's Animal House 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Universal enrolls Animal House onto the UHD format with a stellar 2160p/HDR-encoded video presentation. This is quite the upgrade coming from the aging Blu-ray which, even a decade ago, was recognized for its mediocrity. Ken Brown stated in his excellent review, "Ultimately, casual viewers will be pleased with the results, while fledgling and seasoned videophiles, perceptive purists and those pining for a proper restoration will be disheartened by what they see." Fortunately, that is no longer the case with the 2160p/HDR UHD presentation. Both casual and demanding videophiles will find this much to their liking. The image is essentially everything fans could have wanted. The older release's chunky, digitally processed appearance gives way to a flatteringly organic and filmic image, one that is resplendently and naturally grainy, lending here a pure, exciting, cinematic experience. Details are super sharp and true. The absence of digital processing allows the film's inherent qualities to breathe and display on the screen with firm, sure command of everything in the picture's visual arsenal, from simple faces and clothes to complex environmental and background elements in frat houses, school offices, a grocery store, and other locations. Not a shot, scene, or sequence is rendered as anything less than faithfully organic and fully true to the source. This is super-sharp and beautifully accurate. The days of heavy-handed processing at Universal mercifully seem a thing of the past.

The HDR color presentation is just as impressive. This is not a transformation application but rather one that solidifies tones and brings out the deepest, purest forms available. The full spectrum is impressive, even as the film transitions from many bright exteriors to a number of lower light interiors and nighttime scenes. It doesn't matter if a scene is outside during the day or the night, in a well-lit office, or within Jennings' home when the door is closed and the blinds are drawn to hide that he's smoking pot with a few of his students. Color reproduction is nailed in every instance. Faber's yellow cheerleader sweaters, for example, as seen in the 18-minute mark, leap off the screen with newfound intensity and depth. Natural greens outside and warm woods inside are bolstered by the adds to tonal command and clarity. Skin tones are spot-on. Whites are notably brighter and more brilliant, clean and beautiful. Black levels are far superior for depth and accuracy without crush when compared to the wishy-washy Blu-ray. Additionally, the image is free of obvious print blemish or encode shortcoming. It's near impossible to imagine Animal House looking any better.

National Lampoon's Animal House 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Universal graduates Animal house to the UHD format with a new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack, replacing the 5.1 lossless track from the decade-old Blu-ray. For an older sound design the presentation is impressively capable and stout, though it doesn't necessarily take full advantage of the new back-center and overhead channels available to it. As the film opens, buzzing insects can be heard off to the back right underneath the score, which is orchestrally rich and detailed with a wide front side berth. Frat house parties are springy, perhaps not so vividly recreated in the home as they would be under the auspices of modern audio engineering; there are some inherent balance and prioritization issues but these are relatively minor. The track does well to offer a living, vibrant soundstage as it's needed and a more refined, focused presentation as the situation warrants. Mostly there's not a major difference from the 5.1 track. This one is a bit fuller, yes, but there's no radical redesign at play, and nor should there be. The track is well capable in delivering the essentials and most of the lack seems to stem from aged sound design and not necessarily Universal's encode. But music is lively and wide and dialogue is clear and center-positioned. This is not a reference listen to match the reference video, but it certainly suits the material as well as can be expected.

National Lampoon's Animal House 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Universal brings Animal House to the UHD format with all of the same supplements found on the 2011 Blu-ray. The UHD is absent the two U-Control features from that disc, but they are still available on the bundled Blu-ray, which is the same as the 2011 release. See below for a list of what's included and please click here for full coverage. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase.

• U-Control: Scene Companion (Blu-ray only)
• U-Control: The Music of Animal House(Blu-ray only)
• The Yearbook: An Animal House Reunion (Blu-ray/UHD)
• Where Are They Now? A Delta Alumni Update (Blu-ray/UHD)
• SceneIt? Animal House (Blu-ray/UHD)
• Theatrical Trailer (Blu-ray/UHD)

National Lampoon's Animal House 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Don't let Animal House's UHD disc flounder in obscurity while on double secret probation. This release doesn't simply earn a passing grade; it sports a stellar 2160p/HDR video transfer that puts it near the top of the class. It's every bit the upgrade fans have long desired and it'll more than satisfy any videophile just coming to scope out the wares as well. The new DTS:X soundtrack doesn't reinvent the movie's sound design (and nor should it) but the presentation is just fine as-is. No new extras are included, which is a minor disappointment, but what's here is reliable and enjoyable. Very highly recommended for the film and the video transfer, and packaging collector's would be wise to check out the companion SteelBook packaging variant.