The Karate Kid 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

The Karate Kid 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony has released the 2010 remake film 'The Karate Kid,' directed by Harald Zwart and starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, and Taraji P. Henson, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos audio. This is the film's UHD debut. It was previously released to Blu-ray in 2010. In addition, this new UHD disc includes a trio of supplements that were unavailable on the previous issue. That old Blu-ray is also included here and appears to be the same disc. At time of writing, this release is exclusive to the Amazon exclusive six-film 'Karate Kid' UHD boxed set. See below for more on the new video, audio, and extras.

The Karate Kid 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

Sony's 2010 Blu-ray release...from 15 years ago...time really does fly...was a wonderful presentation and still looks great today. The question, then, is whether this new UHD offers a sweeping improvement or if it's more of an upgrade that just boosts odds and ends here and there. The answer lies somewhere in between.

The 2160p resolution definitely allows the film to breathe more than it does on Blu-ray. There is a greater feel for visual sturdiness and complexity at work with his one, especially in some of this early shots in China where Dre gets his bearings, meets Mr. Han, plays basketball, and the like. The little details really spring to life with effortless sharpness and "you are there" clarity and definition. Likewise, the UHD amplifies skin detail and clothing elements a notch or two above the Blu-ray, which even in 2010 seemed to come close to maxing out the movie at that resolution. Here, there's a clear uptick in overall sharpness, definition, and accuracy. This is not a textural Blu-ray that will stop the presses or elevate to reference material grade, but fans are going to be happy find an image that gets the very most for the movie at the resolution provided.

The Dolby Vision color grading brings some life and pop to the image that the SDR Blu-ray cannot quite achieve. Like the resolution, there's not a massive change in scenery here, but the fine tuning, extra vividness, amplified brightness, improved stability, better whites, deeper blacks, and superior skin tones are all in evidence and together do much to make the movie as visually agreeable as possible. From Dre's blue Detroit lions shirt to shadowy corners, from natural greens to urban grays, from colorful clothes to subdued interiors, there is no color that is not as authentic and full as possible. Black level depth is improved here for accuracy and detail, and white balance is very nice as well.

There are no encode problems or source issues to report. This is a quality UHD, and while not a major evolution from the excellent Blu-ray, the fine tuning certainly makes this the best the film has ever looked for home consumption.

The Karate Kid 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sony's new Dolby Atmos soundtrack in support of The Karate Kid is sure to satisfy. The track is clear, refined, and fluid, delivering seamless stage saturation of all elements -- music, atmosphere, hard karate moves and hits -- with perfect balance and attention to the finest details. The overhead channels aren't used for any seriously discrete elements, but the fuller body and more seamless spatial details allow the listener to become more fully immersed in the soundtrack. Music is rich and full bodied, delivering healthy front side dominance, hefty low end support, and hearty surround immersion. Ambient and environmental cues are nicely integrated, drawing the listener in the various environments. Dialogue is clear, centered, and well prioritized at all times.

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

For this new UHD release of The Karate Kid, Sony has included new extras on the UHD disc (outlined below) while the legacy extras carry over on the legacy Blu-ray, which is also included. As it ships in the large franchise boxed set to which this is exclusive, a slipcover and a digital copy code are included with purchase.

UHD:

• NEW! Blooper Reel (1080p, 1:36): Humorous moments from the shoot.
• NEW! Deleted Scenes (1080p, 22:52 total runtime): Included are Saturday, Uniforms, Me Neither, Hi Baby, Kick Rocks, Taking the Train, Learn the Difference, Courage, Bamboo, Apology, Declined, Good Speech, Promises, Car Ride, Detroit Is In the House, Worried, Semi Final, Bench Fight, and True or False.
• NEW! Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 1:59).

• On Location: The Karate Kid Interactive Map of China
• Alternate Ending
• Production Diaries
• Chinese Lessons
• Music Video
• Just for Kicks: The Making of The Karate Kid
• Previews

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

This is another fine UHD from Sony. It's sharp, clear, and a pleasure to watch in every frame. The new Atmos soundtrack is excellent, too, and the new extras are a nice add-in. I feel like I'm in a minority, but I really love the film, too. It's not the original -- a film I hold in the highest regard -- but as far as remakes and re-imaginings go, I don't think they get a whole lot better than this. Highly recommended!