7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
L.A.P.D. SWAT team specialist is sent to defuse a bomb on a bus. But until he does, he and a passenger must keep the bus at more than 50 mph -- or the bomb will explode.
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton, Jeff DanielsAction | 100% |
Thriller | 83% |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: DTS 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
German: DTS 5.1
Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0
English SDH, French, German, Japanese, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Disney has released the superb 1994 Jan De Bont Action film 'Speed' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video. The disc includes the same DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack found on the 2008 Blu-ray. A smattering of extras that were not included on that 2008 disc are included here.
The included screenshots are sourced from the included 1080p Blu-ray disc which features new video rather than a recycling of the old Fox
disc.
Speed's 4K UHD presentation offers a good fundamental upgrade over the existing Blu-ray which is now over 13 years old. The 2160p/HDR
specification brings the movie to the screen in full command of its visual wares, boasting an impressively filmic veneer by way of a pleasantly natural
and consistent grain structure that's tighter
and more finessed than that found on the old 1080p release. The result is a picture that is fresh and clean, straight out of theaters, essentially,
looking
not a day older than its debut in 1994. Textural output is exemplary in support. Close-ups yield superb facial definition while, as applicable, views of
Howard Payne's burned and mangled hand show all of the gory prosthetic details for all they're worth. Inside the bus (and along its exterior, for that
matter), viewers will note all of the little examples of wear and tear on the floor or the seats and the larger structure as well as the various clothes
the passengers wear on the ride. It's all significantly sharper, more clear, more tightly defined, and more naturally occurring over the Blu-ray. The
image's
superiority is in evidence simply by watching and delighting in the resolution gains but on closer A-B comparison the differences are even more
obvious and approach drastic in many instances.
Color output is equally improved in every scene. The HDR spectrum is expressive even as the film begins in the lower light elevator shaft interiors
and
as some of the action shifts to the warmer and richer building interior areas. But the palette does its
best work outside, in the daylight, or inside the bus which is itself flooded with natural light. It is here where much of the movie takes place and there
are ample opportunities for the image to shine, albeit even as it's often confined to a single location. The sequence that begins around the 27-minute
mark where a bus explodes
and the game between Jack and Howard begins anew is a fine example of the HDR's impressive color punch. The fiery explosion that envelops the
bus is gloriously rendered on the UHD,
offering a full spectrum of deep, vivid colors that the Blu-ray cannot touch. But just the finer command of color depth, accuracy, and vividness are
enough in a general sense to delight. While the color timing doesn't yield truly dizzying color expressiveness -- contrast is a bit warm overall --
there's no
mistaking that Speed's color output has never been so accurate and finessed as it is here. Add in firmer, brighter, crisper whites (such as
Jack's t-shirt); superior black level depth (shadowy backgrounds inside the elevator shaft as the film begins); and freedom from any blatantly
obvious print flaws or encode flubs and this is Speed as audiences have never seen it before at home.
For this UHD release of Speed, it appears that Disney has simply repurposed the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. For a full review, please click here.
Speed includes a slate of "new" extras, at least new to Blu-ray. They are all included on the 1080p Blu-ray disc. The UHD only offers the
legacy commentary tracks. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with a slipcover.
UHD:
Speed's UHD presentation is excellent. The 2160p/HDR video presentation couldn't be much better. The resolution boost yields a sublime filmic feel and the HDR colors are bold and deep without altering essential tonal integrity. It's good stuff. There's no new audio, which may disappoint some, but the existing lossless 5.1 track is superb. Disney has included a few extras that were not on the original Fox release. Highly recommended, and be sure to check out the companion release SteelBook packaging variant.
1994
1994
Fox Icons
1994
20th Anniversary Edition | Deadpool Slip + Movie Cash
1994
Comic Con Exclusive
1994
20th Anniversary Edition
1994
1994
DVD Packaging
1994
Fox Icons
1994
20th Anniversary Edition
1994
1994
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2009
2018
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2015
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Unrated
2015
1988