Scrooged 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Scrooged 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the fan-favorite 1988 Christmas Comedy 'Scrooged,' directed by Richard Donner and starring Bill Murray, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video. Paramount has repurposed the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack for this release. That track first debuted on Blu-ray in 2011 with the film's Original 1080p Blu-ray release (not included). Aside from the new video presentation, this disc also includes a slew of never-before-seen extras that include a highly anticipated audio commentary track by the late Richard Donner.

Scrooged 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Paramount brings Scrooged to the UHD format with a wonderful 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation. The best thing to say about this transfer is that it looks absolutely film faithful. The image retains a natural, organic, and healthy grain structure. The picture is tack sharp and there is no sense of grain manipulation, degradation, or reduction: nothing of the sort. Clarity is absolutely first-rate, offering exceptional yield to skin elements (especially on Murray's face) and costumes and, of course, the makeup and support details with the various Christmas ghosts that visit him throughout the film. Stability and clarity hold to various high end office building backgrounds and smaller and less dynamic set pieces as well. There is not a single textural element that does not look film accurate and absolutely wonderful throughout the film. The Dolby Vision color grading solidifies the natural tonal expressions, never pushing them in weird or otherwise unnatural positions. Colors are effortlessly rich and very accurate to the film's intended contrast and temperature settings, which rarely deviate from a natural position. One could argue for slightly crushed blacks few times (look around the 17:40 mark) but for the most part shadow detail is wonderful and black level density looks perfect, even in subsequent shots (look at two shots from the 18:00-18:10 marks). White balance is wonderful (again 18:10 for Murray's white dress shirt). Skin tones looks absolutely faithful. There are no signs of print wear or compression issues. This is a very good upgrade from an already solid Blu-ray. The movie couldn't look any more film accurate than it does here. While the image is not one to absolutely blow away the audience, it's impossible to imagine even the most scrutinizing of videophiles to be anything but pleased. If only fans got a similar image for Planes, Trains & Automobiles!

Scrooged 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For this UHD release of Scrooged, Paramount has repurposed the existing 5.1 lossless soundtrack from the original release. Following is the text from the original review.

Scrooged features a balanced and satisfying DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track is rich and full, yielding impressive results with every opportunity it has to go beyond simple dialogue. It offers good musical spacing and robust clarity, both made better by minor back channel aid. Directional effects are strong, as evidenced almost immediately during the siege on the North Pole. Bass is strong in this and other scenes, too; it's balanced and forceful but not obnoxious for the sake of volume and disingenuous effect. A few shotgun blasts as heard in the film's final act are suitably potent. Ambience around the office, on the set of IBC's A Christmas Carol, and in other stops around the film is natural and nicely enveloping. Dialogue is smooth and center-focused. This is a surprisingly robust track; there much to be heard, and Paramount's track reveals it all nicely.

Scrooged 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

As noted in this review's introductory comments above, Paramount releases Scrooged to the UHD format with several never before released supplements. The lone extra from the original release, a trailer, is not included here. No Blu-ray copy is included with purchase, but Paramount has bundled in a digital copy voucher. This release also ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

• Audio Commentary: Director Richard Donner offers a wonderful commentary that offers common commentary elements but also explores the film with a humorous bend as well. He explores story, shooting locations, cast and characters, and plenty of anecdotes that enrich the audience's understanding of and love for the film.
• A Christmas to Remember (1080p upscaled, 14:04): Looking back at the production history, cast and characters, and more.
• Updating Ebenezer (1080p upscaled, 13:34): A look at how the filmmakers updated the classic story with modern settings and sensibilities.
• Bringing the Ghosts to Life (1080p upscaled, 9:53): A look at the ghosts who appear in the film: actors, performances, makeup, place in the film, and more.
• The Look of Scrooged (1080p upscaled, 6:22): Exploring the making and production aesthetics of several key elements.
• On the Set with Bill Murray (1080p upscaled): A fun look at the making of a couple of scenes. Included are Brother's Apartment (3:22) and Frisbee the Dog (3:41).
• Showest Clips with Bill Murray (1080p upscaled): A couple of fun clips with Murray having some fun with the studio and the story of the making of the film in the first and applauding usher and ticket prices in the second. Included are The Best Money Can Buy (1:15) and Now Everybody Get Up! (0:59).

Scrooged 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Scrooged is a fun little movie that mixes the new with the old while espousing the same basic principles as the tellings that have come before it. While the first act is demonstrably different from anything else in the A Christmas Carol universe, the picture settles into an air of familiarity once the ghosts show up. From there, the movie becomes linear and predictable in substance but not in style. Still, it all comes down to a life forever changed for the better, a story of mistakes made, opportunities missed, and old wounds healed within the frame of the spirit of Christmas and the notions of charity, forgiveness, and understanding. Paramount's UHD release of Scrooged remedies the previous release's lack of substantive extras while also offering a wonderful 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD video presentation. No new audio track is included, but the 5.1 lossless mix is certainly a top-notch experience that complements the movie perfectly. Very highly recommended!