8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An exiled Cuban criminal who goes to work for a Miami drug lord rises to the top of Florida's crime chain.
Starring: Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Robert LoggiaCrime | 100% |
Action | 49% |
Drama | 39% |
Melodrama | 34% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS:X
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS 2.0
French: DTS 2.0
Czech: DTS 2.0
Hungarian: DTS 2.0
Polish: DTS 2.0
Russian: DTS 2.0
English SDH, French, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Swedish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Note: Collectors who value beautiful packaging and non-disc swag as much as whatever technical merits are in store had better start
clearing some
significant new
shelf room for this impressive new series being distributed by The Film Vault. What's perhaps also going to be exciting for physical media buffs is that
this new collection is
being curated from both the Warner Brothers Discovery and Universal catalogs, which hopefully will increase the opportunities for appealing choices.
While The Film Vault's new releases branded with numbers 1 and 2,
Blade Runner 4K and GoodFellas 4K, came
from the Warner Brothers side of the distributor's bifurcated licensing deal(s),
collectors will get their first chance at what this distributor can do with a Universal title with this release. In this case, both the 4K UHD and 1080
discs seem to be culled from Universal's so-called Gold Edition
.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc included in this package.
Scarface is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of The Film Vault with a 2160p transfer in 2.35:1. Marty does a very thorough job of outlining the
strengths of this 4K presentation in his review of Universal's own release, and I'd only add that while detail levels definitely enjoy an uptick, to the point
that some squeamish types may not like the increased "information" vis a vis some of the more troubling wounds, it's really the palette that
repeatedly struck my eyes as I watched the film this time. HDR has added all sorts of highlights to any already Miami Vice-esque palette filled with a number of appealing pastel
tones as well as brighter primaries, and everything tends to pop extremely well, especially once the film actually moves into its main story arc and there
are some brightly lit outdoor moments. As Marty also mentions, this is a pretty grainy enterprise at times, and this is another shot on film production
where I personally wouldn't be surprised to hear some viewers feel the grain field can look a bit on the noisy side. That said, I didn't notice anything
that I would term an actual compression issue. That said, I'm just ever so slightly lowering Marty's 4K score for my review in the latest iteration of
"different reviewers means different opinions".
To also confirm, the 1080 disc in this set is definitely the newer AVC encode Marty reviewed, not the older VC-1 encode Ken reviewed.
Scarface offers an often blistering DTS:X track that makes good use of spacious placement of both ambient environmental effects and an often pulsating score. As Marty mentions in his review, some of the crowd scenes offer great overhead activity and a real sense of immersion, though always within a well prioritized and clearly delineated layered sound design. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional subtitles in several languages are available.
On Disc Supplements
The 4K UHD disc contains the 35th Anniversary Reunion, while the 1080 disc has all of the supplements listed below. More information on
the reunion can be found in Marty's review of the Gold Edition (linked to above), and details on the rest of the ported over supplements can be found
in yet another write up of the film on Blu-ray, Ken Brown's Scarface Blu-ray review of the SteelBook release from several years ago.
Nothing says "Happy Holidays!" quite like Scarface, but joking aside, this should be an interesting release at least for those who didn't pick up the Region A Gold Edition (or one of the many other editions released through the years). The Film Vault offers another gorgeously packaged release with generally secure technical merits and enjoyable on disc supplements with a nice supply of non disc swag. Recommended.
1983
Triple Play
1983
Limited Edition
1983
Limited Edition Box Set
1983
DVD Packaging
1983
Screen Outlaws Edition
1983
Alternate Artwork and Slipcover
1983
1983
Limited Edition to 1000 Copies
1983
Limited Edition
1983
Gold Edition
1983
Gold Edition
1983
Iconic Moments
1983
40th Anniversary Limited Edition
1983
1983
1995
1990
1974
1972
2007
1987
2016
Premium Collection
1997
Special Collector's Edition
1989
2001
1993
2008
2005
1991
2010
2000
1984
Special Edition
2013
1993
2012