Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released 2005's 'Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. A number of supplements are included on a dedicated Blu-ray disc.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The digitally photographed Revenge of the Sith dazzles on UHD. The digital construction shows maturity over Attack of the Clones and the film shines with the added resolution and HDR color output. Look at a lightsaber duel in chapter five, Obi-Wan and Anakin versus Count Dooku. The lightsabers glow with perhaps the most impressive HDR intensity seen anywhere not just in the Star Wars galaxy but across the entire UHD universe-at-large. Likewise, the green readouts and accent lights seen aboard Grievous' ship's bridge in the following minutes are spectacular. The sun over Coruscant seen in a couple of shots from space and on the planet's surface brightly illuminates the screen with searing intensity. The white, bright interior of the Blockade Runner is a standout in chapter 33 for intensity and clarity while the hellish reds on Mustafar offer bold, terrifying intensity. Black levels are excellent, particularly in some of the key low light and shadowy scenes where Anakin is most deeply challenged at his core, his soul torn between the Jedi and the Dark Side. Add in laser blasts, explosions, and all sorts of other practical and digital elements, like Yoda and Clone Troopers, and there's no shortage of HDR excellence to be found.

The 2160p resolution ensures a firm, highly detailed image as well. Facial close-ups are excellent, easily the most complex and accurate in any of the three prequel films, besting even Attack of the Clones which looks good be never can quite kick into 4K hyperdrive. Here, there's intimacy and clarity aplenty, well beyond the Blu-ray's abilities. Droid close-ups are rewarding for grand texture and even digital Clone Troopers and other characters -- like Grievous and his lizard-like eyes seen in one close-up -- show fantastic attention to detail. There remains a certain air of artificiality to some of the visual effects shots, but this is a much more visually polished and fruitful experience than Attack of the Clones. Overall it's the best looking Star Wars UHD amongst the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy.

The included screenshots are sourced from the bundled 1080p Blu-ray disc which is presented at a slightly different aspect ratio compared to the original Fox release.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Unlike The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith's Dolby Atmos soundtrack only requires a small upward volume adjustment. It's fairly stout at reference but just a little more push -- maybe half of that compared to the other two prequel films -- results in another sonic extravaganza. The opening space battle is a treat, delivering an endless string of laser blasts, quickly maneuvering light craft, and rumbling cruisers. It's a chaotic maelstrom of activity that includes plenty of overhead engagement, some discrete, most simply filling up space for a more rewarding stage envelopment. Action scenes throughout deliver striking immersion and depth. Lightsabers swirl and clash with that trademark whooshing effect, complete with a hefty low end support to give them appropriate weight. Battles on Kashyyyk, Utapau, and Mustafar rage with all of the involvement and immersion one could want, with distinct Star Wars sounds swirling and encircling the stage to joyful fulfillment. Certainly atmosphere is impressive, too, in those quieter moments of reflection -- an intimate scene at a performance art routine when Palpatine tightens the screws on Anakin, for example, or wind blowing through Palpatine's now-windowless office in chapter 28 -- when listeners will enjoy perfectly defined subtleties that elevate sets into living, breathing environments. Add perfectly focused, detailed, and prioritized dialogue, and this track delivers the goods in every way.

Note that the bundled Blu-ray features a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack; Fox's 2011 release included a 6.1 track.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Revenge of the Sith's UHD disc contains no supplements, but numerous extras may be found on the paired Blu-ray discs: two carryover commentaries on the feature film disc and a number of video-based extras on the dedicated extras disc. New supplements, be they new to Blu-ray or entirely new, are marked as such and reviewed. Note that the previous Fox release is fairly clumsy to navigate; I've tried to ensure comparative listings are correct. Coverage of carryover content from the original 20th Century Fox boxed set can be found here. Note that some of the extras that were separated out into several different sections on the previous release ("Coruscant," "Utapau," "Mustafar," and "Kashyyyk and Order 66") have been combined here. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

Blu-ray Disc One (Feature Film):

• Audio Commentary: George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Rob Coleman, John Knoll, and Roger Guyett.
• Audio Commentary: Cast and Crew (Archival).

• NEW! Conversations: The Star Wars That Almost Was (1080p, 5:04): On-screen text provides this descriptive setting for this extra: "J.W. Rinzler and Pablo Hidago are authors and experts in all things Star Wars. They sat down at Lucasfilm to discuss how iconic moments and stories from the Star Wars saga almost took very different paths."
• NEW! Discoveries from Inside: Hologram & Bloopers (1080p, 3:21): Rinzler enters the Skywalker Ranch film archive and speaks with Film Archivist Monica Chin-Perez about what can be found there. There's also a look at a recently unearthed blooper reel.
• Legacy Content
  
  
  • "Within a Minute: The Making of Episode III" Feature-Length Documentary (480i, 1:18:30): This in-depth supplement begins with a minute-long shot of high narrative and technical complexity when Obi-Wan and Anakin face off towards film's end. Rick McCallum discusses the number of individuals and moving pieces necessary to make it happen. The piece continues to explore the making of the scene in great detail: scriptwriting, concept art, pre-viz, production design and set construction, props, costume and makeup, choreography and stunts, Lucas' direction, cinematography, sound recording, editing, digital effects, and even office minutia and catering. This is one of the better all-encompassing "making-of's" out there.
  • NEW! The Journey Part 1 (480i, 7:01): Wrapping up the 28 year journey of making the first six Star Wars films and reflecting on the process. Cast and crew discuss the family feel amongst the Star Wars alum and attending premieres all around the world.
  • NEW! The Journey Part 2 (480i, 5:32): Fans gather for the film's premiere and share their love for the franchise while Star Wars bigwigs discuss the franchise's future and its impact around the world.
  • NEW! ILM Episode III Siggraph Reel (1080p, 4:05): Shots from the film in various stages of progression set to familiar Star Wars music.
  • Star Warriors
  • Star Wars Tech
  • Interviews: Coruscant Overview, Samuel L. Jackson Interview, Utapau Overview, Mustafar Overview, Natalie Portman Interview, and Kashyyyk and Order 66 Overview.
  • Deleted/Extended Scenes: Grievous Slaughters a Jedi/Escape from the General, Elevator Antics, Escape Through the Hangar, Changes to the Constitution, A Plot to Destroy the Jedi?, Seeds of Rebellion (Padmé's Apartment), Utapau Chase Animatics, Kashyyyk Attack and Order 66 Animatic, Anakin Kills Shaak Ti, Jedi Imposters at the Temple, Senate Duel Animatic, Mustafar Duel Animatics, Mustafar Duel/Lava River Animatics, Yoda Communes with Qui-Gon, and Exiled to Dagobah.
  • The Collection: Separatist Cruiser Model, ARC-170 Starfighter Concept Model, Jedi Starfighter Concept Model, Count Dooku Lightsaber, Palpatine Gray Trade Federation Costume, Anakin Costume and Headset, Boga with Obi-Wan Maquette, Utapau Sinkhole Maquette, Utapau Landing Platform Maquette, General Grievous Maquette, Tion Medon Costume, Obi-Wan Lightsaber, Anakin Lightsaber, Mustafar Landscape Maquette, Burnt Anakin Head, Wookie Tree Maquette, Felucia Maquettes, Chewbacca Costume, Darth Vader Costume, Imperial Officer Costume (With Coat), and Imperial Officer Costume (Without Coat).

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Revenge of the Sith -- the darkest film in the "Skywalker Saga" and also one of the most dramatically rewarding -- makes the prequel trilogy worthwhile and transitions from two flawed but fun films to one that's nearly perfect. Acting remains a question mark in the film, particularly the failing chemistry between Christensen and Portman, but the former dials up his work as the character turns to the dark side. Action, production, pacing, and dramatic content are first-rate as the film's second half rewardingly ties together the two trilogies about as well as possible. Disney's UHD is spectacular. Packed full of extras and delivering first-class video and audio, the best film in the prequel trilogy earns the best UHD of the three. Revenge of the Sith earns my highest recommendation.