6.3 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.8 |
When a beautiful human-alien hybrid escapes from observation, scientist Xavier Fitch dispatches a crew of experts to find her before she is able to fulfill her horrific purpose: to mate with unsuspecting men and produce offspring that could destroy mankind. As her deadly biological clock ticks rapidly, Fitch and his team are hurled into a desperate battle in which the fate of humanity itself hangs in the balance!
Starring: Natasha Henstridge, Ben Kingsley, Michael Madsen, Alfred Molina, Forest WhitakerHorror | 100% |
Thriller | 66% |
Sci-Fi | 5% |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Three-disc set (3 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Shout! Factory has released a 4K UHD release of the 1995 Sci-Fi/Horror film 'Species.' New parameters include 2160p/Doby Vision video. No new audio track is included; the studio has simply repurposed the existing 2017 track from the previous Blu-ray release. This three-disc set includes audio commentary tracks on the UHD and feature film Blu-ray discs and the video-based extras on a bonus Blu-ray.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.
Shout! Factory touts this 4K UHD release of Species as sourced from a "4K scan of the original negative." The press materials also include the
same verbiage for the Blu-ray disc; I
cannot verify if this is indeed a "new" transfer or the same transfer from the 2017 Blu-ray. However, the UHD release looks very, very good. The image
holds a fine natural grain structure, a bit sharper and denser in a few spots but certainly capturing the picture's natural filmic qualities and innate
definition with oftentimes striking command. The grain is very beautifully rendered; film medium fans are going to be very pleased with the
presentation. The 2160p resolution gain brings a firmer sense of image complexity to the screen over the 1080p counterpart as well. Faces and clothes
are exceptionally well defined. There
is no shortage of visible depth and awesome sharpness on display, certainly extending beyond the Blu-ray's good, but still comparatively limited,
rendering capabilities. On the whole, textures look excellent here.
Colors are notably more vivid and vibrant compared to the Shout! Blu-ray. There is also a fine sense of depth at work, bringing the Dolby Vision color
spectrum to a fullness and exactness beyond the comparatively flat and drained Blu-ray's abilities. Lively 90s clothing colors are alive and kicking here
in
2022 courtesy of the Dolby Vision grading, with striking depth to blues, reds, and other brilliant hues seen throughout the film. Whites sparkle and
blacks are very solid, if not prone to approaching crush. Skin tones are full and healthy, favoring a hint of warmth. The image does display the odd spot
and speckle, enough to notice but not enough to detract from or degrade the image. Otherwise, there are no source or encode issues in play. This is an
attractive and very agreeable UHD release from Shout! Factory.
It appears that Shout! Factory has simply repurposed the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack from its 2017 Blu-ray rather than upgrade the audio experience to Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. For a full review of the UHD soundtrack, please click here.
This UHD release of Species contains no new bonus content; everything is identical to what was included in the 2017 set. See below for a list
of what's included and please click here for full coverage. Sadly, no digital copy code is included with
purchase. This
release does ship with a non-embossed slipcover.
UHD Disc/Blu-ray Disc One:
At the end of the day, Species proves to be a capably fun little ride. There's nothing really special about it, and that it's best remembered for its spurts of nudity is a bad omen to be sure, but Director Roger Donaldson's film maintains an even keel, producing a fair amount of suspense, good action, and likable characters, all coming from a surprisingly decent script. The film requires the old suspension of disbelief, though it's good enough to enjoy as a competent yet rather generic motion picture. The new 2160p/Dolby Vision picture quality is terrific. The carryover 5.1 lossless soundtrack is rock solid, too, and plenty of extras are included. Recommended.
DVD Packaging
1995
4 Exclusive Mondo Cards + Alien: Covenant Movie Cash
1995
1995
1995
Halloween Faceplate
1995
1995
Collector's Edition
1995
1995
1990
2011
2004
2000
2013
2009
Спутник
2020
2001
1999
2018
1992
2013
40th Anniversary Edition
1979
Ultimate Collector's Edition
1986
1997
Limited Edition
2007
Special Edition
2000
Extreme Unrated Set
2007
Collector's Edition
1992
2009