The Crow 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Crow 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the fan-favorite 1994 film 'The Crow,' starring the late Brandon Lee and directed by Alex Proyas, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Doby Vision video. The disc includes a primary DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. A few new extras are included and most of the legacy content from the original 2011 Lionsgate release is also included.

The Crow 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from the UHD disc output at 1080p. They are not representative of the 2160p/Dolby Vision image.

Paramount brings The Crow to the UHD format with a new, and very satisfying, 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation. I did not review, nor do I have access to, a copy of the original Lionsgate Blu-ray, but I am confident in saying that this is a lofty upgrade. I think it's important to cover the Dolby Vision grading first given the film's extreme stylization. The is a film noir through-and-through, and while there is certainly color at play -- some reds, various skin tones, colorful (albeit somewhat muted) odds and ends at work within shadows -- this is primarily a very starkly contrasted, very dark, and very moody image. Black levels are absolutely critical to a viewing, and the Dolby Vision grading presents blacks with awesome depth and accuracy, offering viewers a prime experience that hits blacks for stability and realism, accentuating shadows, black hair and clothes, and other elements for all they're worth, never crushing out detail even in the film's darkest backdrops, which are plentiful. Contrasting blacks are solid whites, not so vivid as one might expect but the white balance here is very good and plays nicely against the overwhelming darkness that permeates the film. The Dolby Vision grading brings out the best of the film's stylized and visually engrossing (and satisfying) look.

The film's textural elements look excellent as well. Detail is strikingly complex, even through the pervasive darkness. In even very low light, skin and clothing details excel with very impressive complexity to pores and fabrics, and the image really shines when various urban locations are presented in full view, even in darkness, where gritty textures are very well pronounced and offer high yield surface definition. The image maintains a very flattering and naturally occurring grain structure. It never looks scrubbed down or overly dense. It's a perfect complement to the imagery and one of the big reasons, among many, why this UHD looks so marvelous. Just as important, there are no obvious print blemishes or encode faults to be founds. This is a terrific UHD release from Paramount; I couldn't be any more pleased with it.

The Crow 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This UHD release of The Crow includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It is more than likely the same track found on the Lionsgate release, but because I did not review that disc and do not have access to a copy, I will offer a few fresh words (please click here for coverage of the original Lionsgate audio review).

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack is very prototypical of the 90s sort of audio style. It's a big track, sacrificing a little in terms of finesse and nuance in favor of bold strokes and high output content, resulting in a track that fills the stage with elements, and does so with muscle and intensity to spare. The track soars (literally as the case may sometimes be) but really finds its footing in the more intensive musical and action elements, the former of which often favors popular music as much as score, with stable lyrics and clear instrumentals, spread fully along the front and folding in enough back-channel matter to offer a nicely immersive experience. Action effects are potent with heavy, but not overwhelming, bass at work, again offering full stage engagement to draw the listener into the intensity and dynamism the film has to offer. This incudes punches and kicks, which are amplified for impact. Enviornmental cues, especially falling rain, are nicely defined, maybe not quite so fully immersive at all times as listeners might expect, but do expect to hear some good urban and natural elements at work throughout the film. Dialogue is clear, centered, and well prioritized throughout.

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

This UHD release of The Crow carries over almost everything from the original Lionsgate release (minus a few secondary extras like Original Poster Concepts, Production Design Stills, and Storyboards) while adding a commentary track that was not on the previous disc, a new three-part sit-down with Alex McDowell, and a new look at an impressive figurine from Sideshow Collectibles. Reviews of the newly produced content are below, and coverage of the preexisting extras can be found by clicking here. A digital copy code is also included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Director Alex Proyas.
• Audio Commentary: Producer Jeff Most and Screenwriter John Shirley.
• NEW! Shadows & Pain: Designing The Crow (1080p): A three-part feature.
  
  
  • Angels All Fire: Birth of the Legend (7:07): Production Designer Alex McDowell explores music in the film, the production design and stylization, the noir inspired visual elements, and more.
  • On Hallowed Ground: The Outer Realm (8:12): McDowell returns to discuss Dariusz Wolski's cinematography and further explores production design elements, the "theatre" quality of the film, the use of miniatures in the film, world building, set construction, and more.
  • Twisted Wreckage: The Inside Spaces (10:00): McDowell further explores sets and set decoration, shooting details, Brandon Lee's performance, and more.
• NEW! Sideshow Collectibles: An Interview with Edward R. Pressman (1080p, 13:24): Paul Hernandez hosts Pressman who, together, look at one of the most impressive The Crow figurines on the market.
• Behind the Scenes Featurette (1080p, 16:33).
• A Profile on James O'Barr (1080p, 33:26).
• Extended Scenes (1080p, 11:32 total runtime): Included are The Arcade bombing, The Funboy Fight, and The Shootout at Top Dollar's.
• Deleted Footage Montage (1080p, 5:26):
• Trailer (1080p, 1:28).

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

Wow! Fans of Proyas' The Crow are in for an absolute treat with Paramount's new 2160p/Doby Vision video presentation, which has the film looking as faithfully about filmic as it must have on the day it released in theaters 30 years ago. It's a gorgeous image supported by a terrific 5.1 lossless soundtrack (fans might bemoan the absence of an Atmos mix, but this is at least Parmount's established pattern and not a dis to this specific release). A few new extras sweeten the pot. Highly recommended, and be sure to check out the available SteelBook packaging variants.