6.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A secret government project involving the breeding of mutant piranhas, gets way out of hand when the piranhas are accidentally released into the lake of a nearby summer camp.
Starring: Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies-Urich, Kevin McCarthy, Keenan Wynn, Dick MillerHorror | 100% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Shout! Factory has released the classic 1978 B-Horror film 'Piranha,' Directed by Joe Dante, to the UHD format. New specifications include restored 2160p/Dolby Vision video on the UHD disc, restored 1080p video on the Blu-ray, and a new DTS-HD Master Audio mono track. Also included is a new retrospective interview. Legacy supplements do carry over.
The included screenshots are sourced from the remastered 1080p Blu-ray disc.
Shout! Factory updates the cult classic Horror film Piranha with two new presentations on Blu-ray and UHD. Both are of a very good quality
and
offer signifcant upgrades over the 2010 release. First, a few words about the Blu-ray, then a few about the UHD.
The Blu-ray is very handsome and a welcome upgrade from the aged 2010 release. The picture quality is filmic and healthy, capturing revealing
details and a pleasing filmic veneer. Grain can be a little dense and sharp, but the picture never appears dumbed down to remove grain. The result is
a
sturdy, stable image that presents the material with impressive depth and clarity. The picture capably reveals faces and clothes with a yield well
above
the old Blu-ray. The 4K restoration on which this is based delivers ample definition that was missing on the old Blu-ray, resulting in a firmer, more
satisfying image. Colors are robust. They are not vivid -- the movie was not made do dazzle and delight with an abundance of tonal excess -- but the
red plaid shirt, yellow tees, natural greens, and other colorful elements offer improved depth and clarity beyond the old Blu-ray. Meanwhile, blacks
are
more stable
and whites are pleasantly crisp. Skin tones look natural and appealing. There are no serious print problems or encode issues, either.
The UHD is all of that and then some. The 2160p resolution yields a significant gain to sharpness. It's obvious just by watching the film back-to-back
and it's really night and day in direct comparison. The UHD amplifies textures to a significant degree, boosting clarity and intricacy of clothes, skin,
and environments with what amounts to striking levels. The sharpness never appears to be artificial. Instead, this is a naturally sharp and very
cinematic image bolstered by a natural grain structure that is very flattering. The Dolby Vision grading offers brighter colors with more depth and
natural presentation parameters. Natural greens, various colors of clothes, and of course red blood leap off the screen not with intense vividness but
rather satisfying realism and tonal authority. Black levels are superior here, too, for both shadow detail and overall depth and definition. Skin tones
are very healthy, too.
Fans can't go wrong with either disc in this package, but the UHD...wow...what a delight!
Both the Blu-ray and the UHD include the same DTS-HD Master Audio mono soundtrack. The presentation is highly efficient and far more balanced and agreeable than the old Blu-ray's LPCM track. Clarity is very good. While the elements reveal their age, dialogue is clear and center images very well, musical engagement is firm and nicely spaced, and various sound effects play with surprisingly suitable detail, whether intense elements like a ringing bell, revving car engines, or splashing water during various underwater madness. Light atmospherics in quieter scenes are nicely engaged as well, obviously lacking back-channel support but nevertheless presenting with a fair bit of spatial awareness as far as the material allows. This is not a rock-'em, sock-'em sort of track, but despite the age and the limited channel engagement, this one plays well.
This UHD release of Piranha contains all of the extras below on the Blu-ray disc. None of the video-based extras appear on the UHD disc, but
the audio commentaries do carry over on that disc, at least. See below for a list of what's included and a review of the newly crafted extra and
please click here for full coverage of everything else. No digital copy code is
included with purchase.
This release does ship with a non-embossed slipcover.
It's not Jaws, but Piranha is a perfectly good knockoff that plays as equal parts serious Horror movie, parody, and campy cult classic. Director Joe Dante's picture is probably the pinnacle of the Roger Corman catalogue; that's not really saying a whole lot, but his insistence on staying away from the Corman staples -- excess gore and nudity -- pays off in a big way. Piranha takes itself just seriously enough to work, but the entire movie gives off a "just kidding" vibe that really sells it and makes for a wonderful exercise in mindless filmmaking done right. No, don't look to see if it was nominated for any Oscars, but Piranha is an all-star of low budget filmmaking done right. This is an absolute delight of a release from Shout! Factory. The new video is terrific and the audio is rock-solid, too. Plenty of extras are included. Highly recommended!
Roger Corman's Cult Classics
1978
4K Remaster
1978
Collector's Edition | Includes Enamel Pin Set+Exclusive Poster
1978
Roger Corman's Cult Classics
1980
2012
2010
1999
1988
2013
2010
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2013
1984
1954
1957
Mutant / Roger Corman's Cult Classics
1982
Bakterion
1982
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