The Fugitive 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.5

The Fugitive 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

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Reviewed by Randy Miller III November 20, 2023

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Andrew Davis' endlessly watchable The Fugitive remains a true career highlight for all involved. It's a crackling thriller with an excellent cast, great cinematography, perfect pacing, and a fine original score by James Newton Howard. Warner Bros.' recent 4K UHD edition upped the ante from their already-terrific 20th Anniversary Blu-ray, which previously paired a quality technical presentation with a nice handful of retrospective bonus features. Also available alongside the standard 4K edition is this UHD Steelbook variant exclusive to Best Buy, who are frantically running from physical media faster than Harrison Ford's Dr. Richard Kimble.

For a synopsis and appreciation of The Fugitive, please see Michael Reuben's review of the 20th Anniversary Blu-ray linked above. I couldn't agree more -- this is still top-tier entertainment from start to finish.

The Fugitive 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For my thoughts on the 4K disc's new 2160p/HDR transfer, please see my review of the standard 4K edition.

The Fugitive 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For my thoughts on the 4K disc's new Dolby Atmos mix, please see my review of the standard 4K edition.

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

This one-disc release ships in matte-finish Steelbook packaging with spot-gloss highlights that don't show fingerprints. Its overall design elements go all-in one one of The Fugitive's most famous scenes: the first meeting of Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) and Dr. Kimble (Ford) at the dam where he attempts a dangerous escape. The front cover illustration depicts Ford's character in high-contrast silhouette at the end of a dark waterway, the interior splash is a screenshot (or promotional photo) of Gerard approaching him, and the back cover shows Peter Pan mid-jump with credits at the bottom. More variety would've been appreciated given the film's numerous locations (something that the wide release's front cover attempts, albeit somewhat sloppily), but it's still a cool design overall.

Just like the standard 4K edition, on-disc extras are mostly identical to the 20th Anniversary Blu-ray but the 2000 TV pilot starring Tim Daly and Mykelti Williamson is not included on either one. For more information of all the extras below, please see both the linked review above and Marty Liebman's review of the earlier 2006 Blu-ray.

• Introduction by director Andrew Davis, Harrison Ford, and Tommy Lee Jones (1:52)

• Audio Commentary with Andrew Davis and Tommy Lee Jones

• The Fugitive: Thrill of the Chase (28:21)

• Derailed: Anatomy of a Train Wreck (8:55)

• On the Run with The Fugitive (23:06)

• Theatrical Trailer (2:02)

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

Andrew Davis' The Fugitive turns 30 this year but still feels fresh and engaging with great performances, a rock-solid pace, excellent cinematography, and of course a gripping story. I usually hate the phrase "they don't make 'em like this anymore" but the sturdy, back-to-basics approach works tremendously well here and helps The Fugitive remain a genre standout. WB's recent 4K edition replaced their solid 20th Anniversary Blu-ray with an across-the-board A/V upgrade and most of its existing bonus content, and Best Buy's 4K Steelbook puts that disc in collectable packaging that die-hard fans may want to spring for. Either one is Highly Recommended to fans and first-timers alike.