Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Saturday Night Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the classic 1977 film 'Saturday Night Fever,' starring John Travolta and directed by John Badham, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video and a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack that is not identical to that found on the 2017 Blu-ray. No extras beyond the existing commentary appear on the UHD disc; the bundled Blu-ray, which is identical to the 2017 issue, includes all of the extras. The Blu-ray includes two cuts of the film, but the UHD only offers the theatrical cut, running 1:59:03.

Saturday Night Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from the 2017 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Paramount brings Saturday Night Fever to the UHD format with 2160p/Dolby Vision content in what is a somewhat highly anticipated release, and the results are mixed. The picture certainly benefits from the upped resolution, but sometimes the net impact is lost by a clearly imperfect grain structure. Look at the dinner scene at the 9-minute mark. Here, there has clearly been some noise reduction processing. It's not egregious -- characters do not look like wax -- but the image is lacking that true, natural, organic grain management and detail that define the best of the UHD format, or even the best this film has to offer. Indeed, there are more than a few moments when the picture looks very good: nicely grainy, crisp, and stable, but there are just as many, if not more, where the telltale signs of processing are in evidence (the 1:06:00 mark is particularly egregious and is just about the flattest, smoothest shot in the movie). On the plus side, the print is clean. Certainly, the results are not atrocious -- all things considered the movie is watchable here on the whole -- but videophiles should expect to be more disappointed than delighted, wondering what went wrong rather than wowed.

The Dolby Vision grading brings some additional color depth with it. In general, viewers will note increased saturation and tonal nuance at work, particularly on the 70s attire, with the color barrage finding capable firmness. The Dolby Vision grading brings out a pleasant atmosphere on the dance floor, bringing added depth to reds (look at the illuminated floor tiles at the 1:02 mark) and superior shadow detail and black levels off to the sides. The result is a very well-realized atmosphere does well to draw the viewer into the location, and back in time. However, there is some pastiness evident on flesh tones (look at the 45:20 mark). The overall result is a net plus, but this grading cannot overcome the textural issues in play.

Saturday Night Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

While this UHD disc and the 2017 Blu-ray both share a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless audio encode, there are some major differences at play, particularly in the sheer aggression of the audio at reference levels. The 2017 Blu-ray is forceful and enjoyable. It pushes the opening tune out of the speakers with a spring in its steps appropriately matched to the imagery, but on this UHD the audio is, for whatever reason, held back and timid. This classic title scene needs that sound pumping to be enjoy to its fullest, but here it's just a dull facade of what it is on the Blu-ray. Cranking up the volume well beyond reference certainly helps, but the audio here is just not up to spec for those who calibrate, set, and forget. There is also a sense of more limited engagement and immersion through the whole stage and across all of the elements. Dialogue is also uninspired and struggles to present with stage command. Everything here sounds very thin. Crank it up, or just enjoy the Blu-ray again, instead.

Saturday Night Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Saturday Night Fever includes no new extras. The UHD disc carries over the legacy commentary. That same commentary, and all of the legacy extras from the 2017 Blu-ray, are included. Below is a listing of what's included. Please click here for full coverage. A digital copy code and a non-embossed slipcover are included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Director John Badham. Available on the theatrical cut of the film only. Also available on the UHD disc.
• 70s Discopedia
• Catching the Fever (1080p):
  
  
  • A 30 Year Legacy (2007) (15:25)
  • Making Soundtrack History (12:40)
  • Platformers & Polyester (10:37)
  • Deejays & Discos (10:19)
  • Spotlight on Travolta (3:36)
• Back to Bay Bridge (1080p, 9:01)
• Dance Like Travolta with John Cassese (1080p, 9:50)
• Fever Challenge! (1080p, 4:00)
• Deleted Scene (1080p, 1:32): Tony & Stephanie in the Car.

Saturday Night Fever 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Saturday Night Fever is a solid, indelible classic that blends the height of cultural awareness with a traditional coming-of-age story. The film's protagonist may strut his stuff to every popular tune of the time, but the movie is more than beats and bellbottoms. Travolta is masterful in the lead, fully submerging himself not just in the culture but in the character's head, playing a more-than-convincing character who looks to both the short- and long-term futures throughout the film. The movie is both contagiously fun and sincerely dramatic. The combination is unique and it holds strongly together even after several decades. Paramount's UHD is troubled. The picture quality struggles in key areas and the audio does not offer the same engagement as the identically configured track on the 2017 Blu-ray. No new extras are included. Skip it and just hang on to the 2017 Blu-ray.