The Saint 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

The Saint 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the 1997 film 'The Saint,' directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue, to the UHD format. This is the film's UHD debut, and it ships in exclusive SteelBook packaging. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video. No new primary audio track is included, and no new supplements are included. Paramount has also included the original Blu-ray, which houses the carryover extras; no supplements appear on the UHD disc. See below for more on the new video presentation and the SteelBook packaging proper.

The Saint 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Paramount releases The Saint to the UHD format with a new 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation that is a solid step forward from the aged Blu-ray which was watchable but far from ideal. The new 2160p resolution is a major plus for the film, and this picture excels to a very satisfying degree, delivering a healthy and at times even nuanced filmic presentation that blows away the Blu-ray for fidelity, filmic authenticity, and agreeable detailing. Where the previous Blu-ray had something of garish and processed look about it, this is a far more finessed presentation that retains a natural, light grain structure that is very flattering and gives the film a much needed cinematic appeal. Details are much more natural and stable in this version, featuring quality depth and clarity to skin definition, nice detail to clothes, and oftentimes tangible definition on environmental details around the frame. I was regularly stunned by the improvements and I was very pleased with the newfound filmic accuracy on display. While this UHD version of The Saint never pushes into the UHD stratosphere in terms of raw definition and clarity found on the finest releases, audiences should nevertheless find this to be a sizable and worthwhile step up from the middling Blu-ray and, more importantly, very faithful to Noyce's intended look for the film.

A little less dynamic are the Dolby Vision colors, but that's not necessarily an issue at the UHD level. The film is not exactly a bastion of bright, bold colors, favoring a less intensive palette by its very nature. It's never flat or bland; this is just a film that's darker and dimmer by its nature. But even in the cooler hues and flatter tones, there's a healthy balance that suits the film's dynamics quite nicely. But even the most obvious color bursts never push to a level of excess or extreme, favoring that more reserved output that keep the movie cooler and more mysterious. I like the look personally. The result is certainly not eye candy material meant to push the 4K display very far, but as with the detail and definition, faithfulness to the source is always of the highest importance, and that is what the studio has achieved with this one. White balance favors a mild creaminess, but black level depth is reaches right into the vicinity of good to striking. Flesh tones appear healthy within the visual structure. Given the film's intended look, I have no real complaints here.

Lastly, the picture features no immediately obvious encode issues. The print is clean with very little in the way of splotches and speckles. Paramount has done a superb job of brining the film to the UHD format with a much needed boost. It looks great. It's now much closer to its cinematic roots, and fans are going to be very pleased with the results.

The Saint 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Rather than remix for Dolby Atmos, Paramount has simply repurposed the 2009 Blu-ray's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. The track is satisfactory, but far from ideal. With the greatly improved video presentation, some sort of new remix would have been a very welcome addition to this issue. But, as it is, the audio at least suffices in the old 5.1 lossless format. For a full UHD audio review, please see the original 2009 Blu-ray by clicking here.

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

For this UHD SteelBook, Paramount has simply repurposed familiar wide release artwork for the front cover, depicting Val Kilmer's Simon Templar on the front cover, blue tinted, against a cloudy sky with familiar Moscow architecture and cityscape below. Kilmer and Shue's names accompany the film's title, bottom left. The rear panel features a lightning bolt with a halo atop of it against a dark blue background. The spine is blue with the film's title in white, center, and a Paramount logo at the top.

Inside, the digital copy code is 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 smorgasbord of still photos depicting Val Kilmer's Simon Templar in a number of his costumes as seen throughout the film. It's lacking full color -- really favoring the film's look (as does the the SteelBook color scheme) -- but it's a nice looking spread that gives fans a nice preview of the movie when getting the discs out of the case.

As far as on board supplements go, all that's included are a commentary by Director Phillip Noyce and a trailer, both of which are located on the included Blu-ray. For a few words on those extras, please see the original 2009 Blu-ray by clicking here.

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

Like the Enemy at the Gates SteelBook, this one recycles familiar artwork for the front cover but finds some nice renderings on the back and interior. And, like that other day-and-date UHD release, this UHD disc only includes new video; it recycles old audio and supplements. The video is really solid and veers into excellence, and I like the SteelBook's look quite a bit. Recommended. And, for those who don't want the SteelBook, there's a decent chance Paramount will re-release this in standard packaging in the future. That seems to be the studio's M.O.