Red Planet 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Red Planet 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

The Martian(s).

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman November 5, 2025

Arrow continues to curate cult items that may not have exactly set the world (this or any other orb) on fire, and which may in fact not even have been granted an intervening "reassessment" to up their perceived quality. Red Planet was a pretty notorious box office bomb in its day, though it received a 1080 release in Region A from home studio Warner Brothers back in 2011. Arrow is revisiting the title in 4K UHD with its typical assortment of interesting supplements.

As mentioned above, Red Planet had a 1080 release from Warner Brothers several years ago, and Ken Brown's Red Planet Blu-ray review provides a thoughtful analysis, including a plot summary, list of supplements on that disc (both ported over here), and Ken's reaction to the technical presentation.

Red Planet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: This release does not include a 1080 Blu-ray, so these screenshots are taken directly from the 4K UHD disc and downscaled to 1080 and SDR. Color space in particular is therefore not accurate, and I recommend those interested to look at some of the screenshots in our Red Planet Blu-ray review for a probably better representation of the palette. Since this release does not include a 1080 disc, the 2K video score above has been intentionally left blank.

Red Planet is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Arrow Video with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. Arrow's insert booklet contains the following information on the presentation:

Red Planet has been restored by Arrow Films and is presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 with 5.1 audio.

The film is presented in 4K resolution in HDR10 and Dolby Vision.

The original 35mm camera negative was scanned in 4K / 16 bit resolution at Warner Bros. / Motion Picture Imaging.

All materials sourced for this new master were made available by Warner Bros.

QC review was completed by Pixelogic.

Whatever deficits the actual film may have, Peter Suschitzky's cinematography is not among them, and this new 4K UHD presentation is often quite stunning from both detail and palette perspectives. Ken was generally well pleased with the old 1080 disc from Warner Brothers, but to my eyes this new version is clearly superior, at times rather remarkably so. Detail levels are continually impressive, other than some perhaps niggling qualms vis a vis some of the visual effects work. Fine detail on practical sets and costumes is typically excellent. Once agian, though, it may be the palette that attracts the most immediate attention. Depth of field is exceptional in some of the planetary material in particular. The HDR / Dolby Vision grades measurably improve highlights and suffusion and the film's rather far ranging hues are offered with considerable vividness. There are countless (at times, yes, picayune) examples of new nuance ranging from the greens of some the video feeds to the pink set decorations in an early scene between Carrie Anne Moss and Val Kilmer on the spaceship. All of really evocative blue graded material is great looking here, with a slightly more purplish hue to my eyes than on the old 1080 disc. Of course the "red planet" itself is a standout, though here it's kind of an interesting orange-sepia tone. There are in fact a unique set of tones ranging from orange to green to a "combo platter" of chartreuse that are very evocatively offered here. Grain is very nicely resolved throughout, with a few moments of splotchiness but really nothing of any major concern.

Red Planet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Red Planet features a nicely immersive DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that I evidently like a bit more than Ken did with regard to the old 1080 disc from Warner Brothers, though I have to say there's no way I can improve on Ken's clank sizzt clank sizzt description of a rogue robot. There is clear and consistent engagement of side and rear channels throughout this audio presentation, of course most noticeably in some of the effects sequence, but also with regard to Graeme Revell's score. My hunch is some audiophile fans of this film will no doubt be disappointed that there's no Atmos remix offered, since the outer space (or even landing) material probably could have benefited from that format. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly. Optional English subtitles are available.

Red Planet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The Martian Chronicles (HD; 21:51) is an interview with visual effects supervisor Jeffrey A. Okun.


• Suiting Up (HD; 10:45) is an interview with helmet and suits designer Steve Johnson.


• Angry Red Planet (HD; 18:42) is a visual retrospective by film critic Heath Holland.


• Deleted Scenes (HD; 14:24)


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:35)

The insert booklet offers an essay and typical production data. Packaging features a slipcover.

Red Planet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It may turn out that this great looking 4K UHD version of Red Planet will in fact help spark a "reassessment" of this film, but my hunch any revision of opinions may focus largely on how engaging the visuals in the film tend to be rather than any "new, improved" appreciation of the actual screenplay. Technical merits are solid, and the new supplements very enjoyable, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.