The Dark Crystal 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Dark Crystal 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony and Best Buy have collaborated on a store exclusive SteelBook release for Director Frank Oz and Jim Henson's 1982 Fantasy film 'The Dark Crystal.' The disc and digital content is identical to that found in the wide release. See the 'Special Features and Extras' section of the review below for more on the SteelBook's look and feel.

The Dark Crystal 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For a full UHD video review, please click here.

The Dark Crystal 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a full UHD audio review, please click here.

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

Sony's glossy-smooth SteelBook will show some handling fingerprints around the darker edges but the impact is not quite so severe as it might have been. The front image simply repurposes the artwork from the 4K wide release in which SkekSil ("Chamberlain") serves as the primary character figure, dominating the panel. Smaller character models depicting Jen and Kira appear to his right and some others, including Aughra, Fizzgig, a Mystic, and some Podlings are stacked on the left. The film's title appears center in familiar gray script, accompanied by "Jim Henson's" above. Bottom right is the darkened Castle of the Crystal. Behind much of the image is a tattered tan colored map. The rear panel features ornate artwork edging the perimeter as if a frame. Similar artwork appears through much of the interior area with Jen and Kira center in a circle within a triangle and a Mystic at the bottom; there's enough color variation to distinguish shapes and characters but this is mostly a red-and-white affair. The spine is black with the film's title, similar to how it appears on the front but in a beige color instead ("Jim Henson's" remains gray), center. A Sony Pictures logo has been placed at the bottom.

Inside, the digital copy code, along with a flyer for some The Dark Crystal merchandise and a note from Lisa Henson, are tucked underneath the left-hand-side tabs. The two discs, one UHD and one Blu-ray, are situated on the right in staggered-stacked formation. The inner print is a two-panel spread that features a zoomed out and somewhat blurry image depicting a number of Skesis standing around the crystal within the chamber.

For full coverage of the on-disc supplemental content, please click here.

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

This moderately impressive SteelBook features attractive but repurposed front matter imagery, a cool looking back panel art presentation, and a somewhat blurry and boring inner print. Fortunately the movie inside is terrific, as is the UHD presentation. Very highly recommended.