Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Serenity 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 25, 2017

Universal has released Writer/Director Joss Whedon's fan favorite Sci-Fi film 'Serenity' to the UHD format. The release features no new supplements, but it does boast a 2160p/HDR-enhanced video presentation as well as a new DTS:X soundtrack.

Oh, how time fireflies when you're having fun. Serenity is the appease-the-fans movie follow-up to the smash hit TV show that wins the award for "best show of all time to be cancelled way too prematurely." Joss Whedon's film is a big-scale entertainer in the same quirky, adventuresome, character-driven spirit of the TV show. Its visual effects don't hold up all that well today (and especially under the UHD microscope) but the film itself is a blast and a fair send-off for a truly great bit of television. For a full film review, please see the original 2008 Blu-ray.com review here.

Serenity 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.

Serenity flies onto Blu-ray with a middling and fairly disappointing 2160p/HDR-enhanced UHD presentation. The picture is certainly watchable, and occasionally soars, particularly in terms of raw increases in detailing along the way, but there's no mistaking the transfer's deficiencies. It's almost certainly been sourced from an older master. The movie was reportedly finished at 2K, not a surprise given its effects-heavy visuals, but it was shot on film. Nevertheless, there's a somewhat digital, processed, artificial, even flat look to it. While raw detailing -- pores and bumps on skin, clothes, sets -- generally offer a satisfying level of complexity, the larger picture reveals a less pleasing, less natural appearance. Grain often appears less than organic, though, again, there are moments -- many, in fact -- where the image enjoys a pleasing filmic texture. Fluctuations rule the day, between stout and pure and flat and pasty. The HDR color palette shines brightest when adding some real, eye-popping punch to a bright blue sky above the first planet in the film. A number of impressive color accents pop in along the way, but the movie is more often inherently dark than it is lively and well-lit, leaving serious color punch and saturation not a highlight component by the film's very nature. A bright daytime sequence in chapter 14 does appear a smidgen blown out. The digital effects stand out as artificial but are fine for what they are; at the 1:12:10 mark, however, some shimmering is visible along ship's edges during an outer space effects shot. Black levels fluctuate across the spectrum, encapsulated in a sequence around the 45-minute mark where they are prone to appearing soupy and dense, too bright or mildly purple, and a little snowy all within a few seconds span. Flesh tones occasionally take on a warmer shading and reveal some pastiness. Serenity was another difficult-to-score release; there are times that an argument for a 3.5 or even a 4.0 could be made, there are times when a 2.5 seemed more appropriate; the end score is probably closer to 3.25. Note that "5" video score reflects the original Blu-ray.com review of the included 1080p disc. That score was awarded in 2008.

Serenity 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Is there such a thing as "too intense?" Serenity's DTS:X soundtrack makes a case. It's generally in good working order, with some amazing sonic cues along the way, but its most aggressive action scenes tend to border on overdone. Right off the bat, as the ship descends for the first time, the sonic intensity at reference level is off-the-charts. Full stage saturation and intense, room-rattling bass plop the listener not into the action, but seemingly right inside the ship's thrusters. At the same time, music pushes through with its own might, spilling through every speaker with raw, unadulterated power but enough clarity to please. A space battle in chapter 15 is another example of the track's unflinching eagerness to make itself the loudest home viewing experience one will encounter. Even with all the mayhem, spacial awareness and detail are always key, even when the track is throwing the proverbial sonic kitchen sink at the listener. Small ticks and rattles inside the ship are always evident, and the top end engages in both the action excess and in support of the finer environmental cues that often give the show an added layer of charm. Dialogue is just fine and plays as the most balanced element in the film. This is a very fun and hugely aggressive track; just keep that finger on the volume button.

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

Serenity's UHD release contains no new supplemental content, but the 4K disc does carry over the pair of audio commentary tracks. All of the other supplements, including those same tracks, can be found on the bundled Blu-ray disc. Below, for convenience, is a list of all the supplements included. A UV/iTunes digital copy code is also included with purchase.

• Alliance Database
• Deleted Scenes
• Outtakes
• Future History -- The Story of Earth That Was
• What's in a Firefly
• Re-Lighting the Firefly
• Joss Whedon Introduction
• Extended Scenes
• Take a Walk on Serenity
• A Filmmaker's Journey
• The Green Clan
• Session 416
• Audio Commentary: Writer/Director Joss Whedon
• Audio Commentary: Writer/Director Joss Whedon and Cast Members Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau and Ron Glass

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

Serenity is a fun movie and a fitting follow-up to to one of the most notoriously and prematurely cancelled TV shows in history. It has of course since gained a serious cult following, and both the show and movie are well worth watching and treasuring. Unfortunately, Universal's UHD leaves a bit to be desired in the video department. Audio means well and can be a lot of fun, but it's...well...sometimes this. No new extras are included, but all of the previous disc's supplements can be found on the bundled Blu-ray. A soft recommend to newcomers to the film on either Blu-ray or UHD.