Taxi Driver 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Taxi Driver 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony brings Director Martin Scorsese's 1976 masterpiece 'Taxi Driver' to the UHD format with a resplendent new 2160p/Dolby Vision video presentation. The disc repurposes existing 5.1 lossless audio. The two-disc set also includes the film on Blu-ray, which is identical to the studio's 40th Anniversary disc, released back in 2016 which included the same "mastered in 4K" transfer from the Mastered in 4K disc from 2013 (also see the original Blu-ray released in 2011). At time of writing, this disc is only available as part of the second volume in Sony's prestigious six-film 'Columbia Classics Collection' (Volume 1 released to rave reviews in June 2020). Other films in volume 2 include 'Oliver!,' 'Anatomy of a Murder,' 'Stripes,' 'Sense and Sensibility,' and 'The Social Network.'

Taxi Driver 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from the 2016 Blu-ray disc.

Anything less than "immaculate" would be disappointing considering the majesty of Sony's "Mastered in 4K" disc. Of course, Sony does not disappoint for this true 4K 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD release. The image is a powerhouse of perfect film presentation on disc. Grain management is a highlight. While grain appears a bit more pronounced on this disc compared to the "Mastered in 4K" pressing, it's still very fine and flattering, not at all aggressive or overbearing but very true to film quality and the original element's innate character. It's a beautiful sight to see: untampered, unrestrained, free flowing, and gorgeously complimentary to the image. Perhaps even more awe-inspiring is the newfound level of razor-sharp, fully intimae detailing found on the disc. Look at a slow close-up pan across Travis' face at the 13:23 mark. The level of intimate clarity and visual sophistication is well beyond the reach of the 4K master Blu-ray; it's striking to see just how prominent the pores appear and how refined the full shot looks. This holds true in every shot. Worn interiors, gruff city streets, even the more nicely appointed campaign office interiors are a delight for the newfound richness and clarity that altogether render even the Blu-ray from the 4K source looking flat and soft. This is an impeccably sharp and wondrously detailed presentation; 2160p suits this film beautifully.

The Dolby Vision color grading makes just as much of an impact. The movie looks brighter without betraying its harsh-edged tonal darkness; there is no betrayal of the visual reinforcements of the movie's murky emotional tone. Even with a "brighter" output the film holds to its intended appearance, simply offering more vivid color output as necessary, whether livening some daytime scenes (look at most anything in the well-lit campaign offices during day, for example) or reinforcing the absolute dark and depraved black depth at night. Nighttime city lights are alive with a level of natural intensity that the Blu-ray's SDR palette cannot match. Whether lights pouring out of storefront windows, bright neon signs, or traffic lights, there's no mistaking the UHD's superiority in bringing out the city nightlife with incredible vitality, even as the picture holds to a grit and griminess with absorbing, almost sometimes suffocating, blacks all around. Black levels in general are superior, critical on some of the rainy nighttime exteriors, inside a smutty movie theater seen at the 9:00 mark, and so on; there's a centralized grittiness to the way Scorsese and Cinematographer Michael Chapman captured even the darker corners in the film, adding to the depressed tonal atmosphere. Blacks are deeper here but do not crush detail; instead, the intensity only reinforces the grime and emotional, oftentimes practically spiritual, unbalance at work in the film and its locations. On the flip side, whites are brighter and more luminous, pure and unadulterated: perfection. Skin tones are more in balance as well. The print is free of visible deterioration and the encode is perfect. What a delight; Sony has released what is sure to be the definitive version of Taxi Driver for the foreseeable future. This is a highlight for the entire UHD format.

Taxi Driver 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Rather than remix for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, Sony has simply repurposed the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack that has been with the film since the 2013 Blu-ray. For a full audio review, please click here.

Taxi Driver 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

With the Blu-ray identical to the 2016 issue, it contains all of the supplements from that disc. Below is a breakdown of what's included. Please click to the 2016 Blu-ray here for further details. The UHD includes all of the extras from the bonus Blu-ray disc included in the 2016 set and adds a new single supplement. Again, below is a list of what's included and reference the link above for full reviews. As it ships in the Columbia Classics Collection, a slipcover and digital copy code are included with purchase.

UHD:

• Making Taxi Driver.
• Intro to Storyboards by Martin Scorsese.
• Storyboard to Film Comparison.
• Galleries.
• NEW! 20th Anniversary Re-Release Trailer (1080p, 1:28).

• Original 1986 Commentary With Director Martin Scorsese and Writer Paul Schrader Recorded by The Criterion Collection.
• Commentary with Professor Robert Kolker.
• Commentary with Writer Paul Schrader.
• Tribeca Film Festival 40th Anniversary Q&A
• Producing Taxi Driver.
• God's Lonely Man.
• Influence And Appreciation: A Martin Scorsese Tribute.
• Taxi Driver Stories.
• Martin Scorsese on Taxi Driver.
• Travis' New York.
• Travis' New York Locations.
• Taxi Driver Theatrical Trailer.

Taxi Driver 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This is an amazing presentation. Going in it seemed a tall task to greatly better the existing Blu-ray but Sony has done just that, releasing a masterwork of the UHD format. This one is a dazzling delight and a rousing visual success. There is no audio change and practically no supplemental change, and both of those still grade perfectly, too. So does the movie, of course. This is one of the best discs on the market and it receives my highest recommendation.