Spider-Man 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.5

Spider-Man 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony has released all three of the Tobey Maguire/Sam Raimi 'Spider-Man' films to the UHD format with new 2160p/HDR-enhanced video and new Atmos audio. Many other small changes have been made to the Blu-ray discs included. These releases can be found in both the Best Buy exclusive Steelbook presentation as well as the DigiBook release. Read on for more on the new UHD presentations.

Spider-Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Spider-Man, and the other films in the Tobey Maguire trilogy, for that matter, were all previously released to Blu-ray in "Mastered in 4K" versions that presented a new 4K scan at 1080p resolution. It's a safe assumption that this release is simply a proper 4K/2160p presentation sourced from that same master previously issued on the Blu-ray. The image is intense and dynamic. Grain retention is constant and strong. It'll prove overwhelming for those who prefer the cleanliness of digital or a much more refined grain field -- there is no mistaking its density -- but the result is a positive, filmic experience. Core textural support is fantastic. The UHD proves capable of revealing finer-point textures that the previous Blu-ray could only introduce, not define to the finest layer. Facial textures -- from older characters' wrinkles to Mary Jane's smooth skin -- are revealing of every nook and cranny and imperfection. The Spider-Man costume showcases impressive fabric density, intimate material texturing, and tangible definition on the raised web-like surfaces that give it a dynamic shape. Dense city environments certainly benefit from the added resolution as well. Concrete and brick textures are tactile and complex in a lifelike, tangible manner, whether pavement, storefronts, everything that makes the city the character that it becomes as Spider-Man slings and fights his way through it. The HDR-enhanced color palette offers a pleasing add in color depth and saturation. The Spider-Man suit is robust, Mary Jane's hair color is refined, colorful city storefronts dazzle. The HDR palette never sacrifices core film integrity, only offering increased nuance. Black levels are firm and flesh tones are healthy and full. The movie certainly benefits from the UHD experience. It breathes and flows with the best of them and it's certainly the film-sourced pictures that dazzle most on the format; this is one of them.

Spider-Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Spider-Man features a brand-new Dolby Atmos soundtrack, replacing the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track from the most recently released "Mastered in 4K" disc. The track is unsurprisingly dynamic, taking an already excellent established core 5.1 listen and opening it significantly. The track produces a tangible overhead component that is often used not distinctly but rather in conjunction with any number of elements, whether city din at a parade, a raging inferno inside an apartment complex where fires and the collapsing structure envelop the listener, as Spider-Man flings through the city, or as music soars in support of key sequences. The track offers a wonderful balance of intensity and nuance, presenting wide-ranging elements and intimate, precise details alike with superior clarity and total ease of positioning and stage saturation. Precision placement sound imaging and wide ranging and dynamic movement are equally adept. Clarity is off-the-charts for all elements. Dialogue is clear and perfectly prioritized with room-filling reverberation as the situation warrants.

Spider-Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Spider-Man's 4K UHD disc contains no supplements beyond the usual Sony "cast and crew" photo tab and collection of categorized "moments:" (2160p/HDR/Atmos): Peter Parker, The Green Goblin, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, and Amazing Fights. All other extras can be found on Blu-ray discs throughout the larger UHD set.

Spider-Man 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Spider-Man is a wonderful Superhero film that has aged very well and has now earned a top-flight A/V UHD release. The disc is currently not available individually but is nevertheless a must-own by way of either of the packaging options listed above.