7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.6 | |
Reviewer | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Humans in a fascist, militaristic future wage war with giant alien bugs.
Starring: Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, Denise Richards, Jake Busey, Neil Patrick HarrisAction | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 86% |
Thriller | 72% |
Adventure | 24% |
War | 23% |
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 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0 @192 kbps (Dolby Surround)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
UV digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 4.5 | |
Overall | 4.5 |
Sony has released Paul Verhoeven's widely acclaimed Sci-Fi satire film 'Starship Troopers' to the UHD format. The disc offers new 4K video with HDR colors and a new Dolby Atmos soundtrack. No new extras are included.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.
Starship Troopers released in 1997, was shot on film, and according to its packaging, the UHD is sourced from a "new 4K restoration." The
movie
has always been a highlight on home formats, offering very impressive picture quality upon its release on DVD and again in the early days of Blu-ray.
This new 2160p UHD is
no different, offering a substantial boost in stability, definition, and color alike. The image more than impresses in every shot; even visual effects hold
up rather well. Grain retention is largely consistent and generally
complimentary with only a few scenes, such as in the classroom near film's start, appearing a bit more dense and snowy. The image gains significant
improvements in clarity and sharpness. Fine details are much more revealing across the board. Faces reveal fine hairs, pores, and scars with depth and
detail that's comparatively absent on the Blu-ray. Uniforms, berets, helmets, armor, terrain on bug planets, manmade structures at the training camp
and on Planet P, practical bug effects, and torn human bodies all find significantly more clarity and attention to fine detail, even at distance and even
considering more insignificant background elements. The HDR enhanced color palette is a joy. Color depth is much stronger. Skin tones offer improved
accuracy and
depth. Orangey fireballs pop with significant punch in chapter 10, followed by splattering of green and orange bug blood moments later that reveal the
true increase in saturation without betraying the movie's core appearance. There are a handful of speckles, though the only really noticeable ones
come when Rico's father chews him out after he's joined up; there's been a fair bit of clean-up here when viewed against the comparatively
debris-heavy Blu-ray. Outer space
black levels hold impressively deep. This is a considerably better image over the Blu-ray; fans are going to be ecstatic.
Starship Troopers' UHD release features a new Dolby Atmos soundtrack that delivers a high-yield listen. Music builds over the open with impressive clarity, effortless spacing, and stage-commanding depth. Movement through the stage is fantastic. Whether planetary defense missiles that fly through the stage early on, swarms of bugs that all but trample the listener, heavy cruisers rumbling about the listening area, or drop ships veering about (the latter with a significant overhead presence as one lands to rescue troopers on Planet P), the listener will always feel totally immersed in the movie's sound moments of significance. The added overheads aid in creating a fuller listen, adding to the chaos of battle while extending a few key elements, particularly PA system announcements at school and, later, similar sounds during the arena football-style game. Gunfire hits hard. The stage is often flooded by infantry rifle fire but mounted emplacements on Planet P offer much more punch. Nukes explode with force and send powerful waves rumbling through the stage. Dialogue is satisfyingly clear, positioned, and prioritized. This is a superb Atmos soundtrack and a wonderful companion to an amazing film.
Sony's UHD release of Starship Troopers contains no new supplements, but it does carry over the pair of commentary tracks from the
original
Blu-ray. It also, of course, contains the usual Sony UHD bonuses, including cast and crew still photos and a collection of categorized "moments"
(2160p/HDR/Atmos): Rico, Dizzy, Carmen, and The Bugs. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase. Below
is
a basic listing of the supplemental material available on the included 1080p Blu-ray, which is identical to the previous release. For complete
supplemental reviews, please click here.
Starship Troopers is a wonderful film, full of pointed satire, large-scale action, cranked-up Verhoeven violence, a hot young cast, terrific production design, and great special effects. It's right up there with the best the Dutch director has ever released, and the movie remains an ever-relevant and highly entertaining cautionary tale across many fronts. Sony's UHD is nearly as much a masterpiece as the movie. The new 4K restoration is nothing short of spectacular. The Atmos sound is just about as good. No new extras are included, but the bundled Blu-ray's supplemental package covers plenty of ground. For the SteelBook collectors, there's one at Best Buy. This UHD release of Starship Troopers is my current favorite on the new format and it earns my highest recommendation.
25th Anniversary | Limited Edition Reprint
1997
20th Anniversary
1997
25th Anniversary
1997
Blu-ray Essentials
1997
1997
2008
2012
2005
2004
2009
Limited Edition
1997
20th Anniversary Edition
1996
2013
2000
1998
1990
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2005
Ultimate Collector's Edition
1986
20th Anniversary
2003
2013
2009
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2005
Director's Cut
2009
Limited Edition
2004