8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
After the death of a friend, a writer recounts a boyhood journey to find the body of a missing boy.
Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O'Connell, Kiefer SutherlandComing of age | 100% |
Teen | 85% |
Drama | 27% |
Adventure | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
4K Ultra HD
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Sony has re-released Director Rob Reiner's 1986 classic 'Stand By Me' to the UHD format. The new UHD disc includes 2160p/Dolby Vision video (as opposed to the previous issue's HDR color grading), Dolby Atmos audio, and a collection of deleted and alternate scenes presented in 1080p. The bundled Blu-ray, which is identical to that which Sony released in 2011, carries over all of the legacy BD supplemental content.
Sony's previous UHD release was a stunner, but this new Dolby Vision-graded presentation amplifies even a great UHD to offer what is now the
definitive presentation of the film. "Amplifies" and "definitive" are used here not in way that conveys a grand new scale for the film's appearance but
rather a mildly
fine-tuned experience, though both words do hold true.
First, the core textural elements appear nearly identical, if not fully identical. The image maintains a handsomely filmic appearance
with perfectly defined cinematic textures. The text from the previous review suffices here: The 2160p resolution brings a new dimension to the
movie's sharpness and textural presentation as well. Clarity of rocks along the tracks, period attire, grasses and weeds, rusty old odds and ends
around
the junkyard, everything finds a more agreeable, organic feel for tactical definition. Facial textures enjoy more agreeable clarity and visibility of
various
prosthetics, like Teddy's burned ear or a scar around the eye belonging to one of Ace's friends. There's a depth to the picture that's missing on the
Blu-ray (particularly evident in long, expansive shots along the boys' journey), a natural, filmic sharpness that is accentuated by the added
resolution. Grain
is maintained for the duration, admittedly a bit dense and noisy at times but largely healthy and flattering to the production.
The Dolby Vision color grading offers a modest gain to color depth and accuracy, with modest being another key word. Blue skies are slightly
bolder,
natural greens a touch fuller, and white clothing a hair brighter. Blacks are slightly deeper and skin is mildly more lifelike, but the changes here are
fairly
miniscule all things considered. The previous issue's HDR grading remains excellent, and even if side-by-side comparisons do reveal some tweaks for
the better for this issue, this
Dolby Vision grading cannot be said to offer anything dramatic in terms of sweeping changes; this is a fine-tuning if it is anything. It looks absolutely
marvelous, but it's not enough to entice buyers by itself to upgrade from the excellent HDR-only disc.
This new UHD release of Stand By Me contains the same Dolby Atmos soundtrack from the previously issued UHD. See below for a reproduction
of that review, for convenience:
Stand by Me features a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, which one might consider to be overkill for a film with few opportunities to sonically shine,
but it's actually quite a nice and well-rounded complimentary presentation. The first notes of Jack Nitzsche's score, the theme arranged from the song
from which the film derives its title, are wonderfully detailed and gently immersive, folding in rear and overhead usage in a tasteful manner that adds
to the airy quality rather than overwhelming it. The track is without many opportunities for major stage expansion or detailed, low end effects. A train
rumbles by in chapter four, the one Teddy is eager to dodge. There's not a feel of massive weight but there is good movement through the stage as it
approaches, rushes by, and fades off to the right, an effect that is essentially recreated in chapter seven. There is not a mammoth subwoofer
engagement here, but there's enough low end push to enhance the drama in both instances. The Atmos configuration helps
to better define the various environmental effects -- singing birds, rustling leaves, crackling fires at night, light blowing winds as the boys cross the
train track bridge in chapter seven -- that give a critical feel for the wooded environments through which the boys travel. There are few truly distinct
overhead components but the added opportunity to expand the stage helps to subtly, gently draw the listener into the surrounding serenity. Dialogue is
the sonic driver; it's true to its natural front-center position. Clarity and prioritization delver without flaw or failure.
Stand by Me's UHD disc includes several deleted and alternate scenes, the same as on the previous UHD issue. The bundled Blu-ray is
identical to that which Sony released in
2011. Below is a
listing of everything included on both discs. No new extras are included for this Dolby Vision/SteelBook UHD release. For full Blu-ray supplemental
coverage, please click here. No digital copy code is included with purchase.
UHD:
Stand By Me stands as one of the giants of the 1980s, a quintessential coming-of-age classic that is also one of the rare examples of a film besting the source story, a particularly noteworthy accomplishment considering it comes from the mind and pen of Stephen King. Sony's new UHD is terrific, delivering stellar 2160p/Dolby Vision video, which improves upon the previous UHD (albeit by a marginal degree), and a quality Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The UHD disc includes a few deleted and alternate scenes on top of the carryover extras found on the bundled Blu-ray, which is identical to the 2011 disc. This new UHD release of Stand By Me earns my highest recommendation for new buyers of the film on the UHD format and for SteelBook collectors (this is one of my favorite designs of the year). However, those just looking to upgrade for the new video presentation won't find this to be worth the (at time of publication) hefty investment.
25th Anniversary Edition
1986
25th Anniversary / Holiday Ugly Sweater Slipcover
1986
1986
30th Anniversary Edition
1986
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