Pitch Perfect 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Pitch Perfect 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has released the fan-favorite Musical Comedy 'Pitch Perfect' to UHD with a new 2160p/HDR-enhanced picture in addition to a new DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack. No new supplements are included. The film originally released on Blu-ray in December 2012 to rave reviews for its picture and sound. How does this UHD stack up? Read on...

Pitch Perfect 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Pitch Perfect was digitally photographed and reportedly finished at 2K. The upscaled 2160p image impresses on all fronts. That doesn't mean it's a pinnacle-type of UHD, but for a digitally shot film of somewhat modest visual aspirations beyond large bursts of color it's by-and-large fairly, to very, enjoyable. Textural qualities lack the depth and intimacy of higher end digital or film-based UHD presentations, whether they be upscale or true 4K images, but viewers will certainly appreciate the resolution boost that offers strong essential detailing, such as faces and clothes as well as across various locales around campus, indoor and out, including odds and ends in dorm rooms or the school's quad area. While the Blu-ray certainly holds its own, the UHD, in comparison, reveals much firmer textures across the board. Small ridges and fabric lines on clothing are amongst the most significant improvements, but general sharpness and clarity definitely earn a hearty boost as well. The image is also very clean and efficient. Noise is barely noticeable and no other interfering artifacts get in the way.

The increase in color depth certainly helps, too. The boosts to saturation, accuracy, and nuance only allow for each texture to be intensified, appropriately managed beyond raw clarity. The 10-bit HDR-10 color enhancement makes the film's already cheerful palette dazzle. Reds are much deeper, to the point that Chloe's hair looks more of a dark auburn on the UHD, more light red on the Blu-ray. Skin tones are a bit warmer too, but the palette never pushes red or hot or bakes skin tones in any way. In fact, the film's diverse cast of Bellas have never looked more authentic. There's a much greater sense of accuracy to every color in the movie, particularly on clothes but also sun-drenched natural greens and banners outside the school or brightly illuminated colors on stage where the spotlight reveals all and the UHD proves well up to the challenge. Black levels are firm and accurate, never crushing out details or appearing too light. While this UHD is, in its total, not an astronomical leap forward, Pitch perfect certainly reaps the rewards of a very solid UHD presentation, enjoying a tangible boost in clarity and detail and a welcome increase in color saturation and intensity. Fans are going to love it.

Pitch Perfect 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Pitch Perfect's DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack hits all the necessary notes with all of the clarity, space, and attention to detail one would expect of a music-centric modern film. The a cappella performances present with masterful harmony. The track is capable of expressing each individual voice with, well, perfect pitch, and the harmony as they come together as one flows beautifully, melting the speakers in favor of an impressive lifelike experience. The pulsing, electronic beats heard over the opening titles are just as wonderful, with a good low end support but also, more important, a sense of well balanced flow from one speaker to the next with plenty of precisely imaged components creating a wonderful sonic sensation. The track finds some extra intensity for the finale, with immersive and well defined crowd applause and more of the richly realized vocals commanding the listening area. It's not overly aggressive in terms of raw volume at established listening/reference levels, but the clarity and precision certainly make it a highlight in a track full of musical highlights. The track always sounds open and alive, whether offering balanced and appropriately immersive campus din, modest reverberation as necessary in environments and situations that allow, or other light environmental details, the track, with the added back and overhead channels, always feels wide open and inviting, not to mention, often, invigorating. A few good discrete overhead components filter in along the way, perhaps the most notable coming early on when Beca first walks into the school's radio station and the broadcast seems to emanate from overhead. General dialogue is clear, well prioritized, and center positioned. Fans are going to love this track.

Pitch Perfect 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Pitch Perfect's UHD release contains no new bonus content. The UHD disc includes both commentary tracks found on the original Blu-ray (also bundled here) while all of the other extras are housed on the 1080p disc, which is identical to that released in 2012. For a full supplemental review, please click here. For convenience, below is a list of what's included. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. Finally, note that while the Blu-ray contains a sing-along version of the film, the UHD offers only the basic movie.

• "Starships," The Pitch Perfect Music Video
• Deleted and Extended Scenes
• Meanwhile...
• Line-O-Ramas
• Backstage at Barden
• On the Set: Burrito Drive By!
• A Look Inside
• Audio Commentary: Director Jason Moore and Producers Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman.
• Audio Commentary: Producer Paul Brooks.

Pitch Perfect 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Pitch Perfect is a fun little escape that assembles a likable cast of characters. It can't help but to indulge in genre cliché, but the high energy performances, good pacing, and catchy vocals certainly cover up any structural shortcomings along the way. Universal's UHD release is rock-solid. It's certainly not amongst the best of the best, but the 2160p video enjoys a healthy bump in clarity and sharpness while the HDR colors are bolder and more lifelike. The DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack is likewise nothing for the record books, but it's clear and very capable. No new extras are included, but Universal has made sure to carry all of them over on the included Blu-ray, which is identical to that released back in 2012. Fans should find this enough of a bump to merit an upgrade and newcomers should definitely go the UHD route. Recommended.