The Blues Brothers 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

The Blues Brothers 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

In time for its 45th anniversary, the classic musical-comedy 'The Blues Brothers' returns to 4K UHD disc in this 'The Blues Brothers: Limited Edition SteelBook 4K' courtesy of Universal. The film stars comedy legends Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi who are joined by a host of other well-known actors and musicians. The new SteelBook is also distinguished by the addition of a Blu-ray disc that contains a new on-disc supplemental feature entitled "On a Mission From God: The Story of The Blues Brothers". A Blu-ray disc which is identical to the original release from 2011, and a Digital Code redeemable via Movies Anywhere are also included. Please scroll down to the 'Special Features and Extras' section below for a discussion of the new SteelBook, and the new on-disc supplemental feature.

The Blues Brothers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

As the 4K UHD disc included here is identical to that of the previous 4K release, please follow this link for a discussion of the film's 2160p presentation.

The Blues Brothers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 4K UHD disc included here is identical to that of the previous 4K release, please follow this link for information about the film's audio track.

The Blues Brothers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The cover of the new The Blues Brothers: Limited Edition SteelBook 4K is very similar to some of the original poster art for the film, save for the fact that instead of having Jake and Elwood dancing on top of one police car as on the poster, they are now seen atop a pile-up of six squad cars. The names of the two stars, Belushi and Aykroyd, are located above the film's title. The background color for the cover, spine, and back of the SteelBook is white. The SteelBook has been given a matte finish and does not feature any spot-gloss highlights, nor are there any embossed or debossed elements. The spine simply contains the film's title in its normal font in the center, with Universal's logo at the bottom. The back features only a small image of the Bluesmobile (a 1974 Dodge Monaco), bought at auction from the Mount Pleasant Police Department with it's cop motor, cop tires, and all the rest. Universal's logo is found in the lower left and a product number is found in the lower right.

Opening the SteelBook, the tabs on the left which normally secure the Digital Copy are absent so that slip of paper floats free. A Blu-ray disc entitled The Blues Brothers: Bonus is found on its own hub on the left. This is the disc that contains the new supplemental feature. On the right side, the 4K UHD disc and the Blu-ray disc, each containing the feature film and bonus material, are stagger-stacked, each on its own hub, with the 4K UHD disc on top. One element of confusion is immediately noticeable - both Blu-ray discs are printed with identical art and are both titled The Blues Brothers: Bonus. While I initially believed I received an errant copy, popping the two discs in my player revealed that disc housed by itself on the left was the new disc, while the Blu-ray disc found under the 4K disc of the film was identical to that of the original Blu-ray release from 2011. Removing the discs reveals a collage of stills and publicity shots of Dan Akroyd and John Belushi, as well as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and others. While not the most ambitiously designed or eye-catching SteelBook, it does, at a minimum, capture the important elements of the film.

The additional Blu-ray disc found on the left side of the SteelBook is home to the single new on-disc extra, On a Mission From God: The Story of 'The Blues Brothers'. This approximately one hour-long feature sees star Dan Aykroyd, Director John Landis, and many others talk about the origins of the project, Akroyd's script writing process, and the monstrous and unfilmable original 324-page script. The inspiration for the iconic "We're on a mission from God" line is shared, and the meticulous preparation for the bridge jump is discussed. After getting kicked out of the hotel bar during the shoot, Aykroyd and Belushi set up their own bar complete with a stage, The Sneak Joint, across the street from the hotel for the cast and crew to enjoy once the day of filming wrapped. Many mention being starstruck buy Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Cab Calloway. With purportedly one million feet of film shot, editing also takes a considerable focus, with George Folsey Jr. (Editor, Associate Producer) and others recalling the choices made, and the process. The feature closes with recollections and impressions of Landis, and their reaction to the final version of the film.

The Blues Brothers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Blues Brothers is a bit of lightning in a bottle, as the saying goes. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as Elwood and Jake are at the height of their stardom and comedic prowess here, in a film that, while it may be light on plot, is much bigger than seems reasonable in terms of production value and a cast list that includes a veritable who's who of music legends. From a presentation perspective, the disc's technical merits are strong, though a Dolby Atmos track and Dolby Vision grade would have been much appreciated, as would the inclusion of the film's original audio track. Still for those who missed the previous stained-glass inspired SteelBook from five years ago, those who have yet to upgrade the title to 4K, or those drawn the informative new hour-long extra, the new The Blues Brothers: Limited Edition SteelBook 4K comes very highly recommended.