The Untouchables 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

The Untouchables 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the classic 1987 film 'The Untouchables,' directed by Brian De Palma and starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, and Andy Garcia, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video and Dolby Atmos audio. The UHD disc includes all of the legacy extras from the Blu-ray, from which this is a substantial step forward. Note that no Blu-ray copy is included: not the original and not a remastered version as is sometimes the case when there has been this much of an improvement over the old release.

The Untouchables 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Of course the film looks terrific on UHD. The picture reveals exceptional clarity and grain in the first sequence with Capone in the barber's chair and from there on proves itself as a workhorse of a UHD presentation. This is a major upgrade over the old Blu-ray, which was released in the format's infancy in 2007 and looks very smoothed over, artificial, and flat. Clearly some processing and grain removal was done to that image, giving it a very plastic-y look. Here, however, the intact grain structure allows the image to breathe, to be itself, free of any unwanted and unwarranted dumbing-down and instead playing with a confident posture as textures sing and leap off the screen with a level of complexity befitting the material. There is not a trace of the same sort of heavy-handed processing, replaced instead with those high yield intricate details and a perfectly flattering filmic veneer.

The Dolby Vision color grading offers a healthy boost as well, but not necessarily a boost in color vitality or intensity. The picture here is less garish than the Blu-ray and has something of a very mild grayscale push to it; color abounds as available, but the image clearly lacks punchy colors in favor of a more toned-down palette. Nevertheless, overall depth and color placement are excellent, with a range from impeccably bright whites and pure blacks, whether shadows or black cars on the street. Skin tones do hold to that slightly pale look, however. As it is, though, the color timing certainly works in the picture's favor and yields a very good look for the film. There are no source blemishes or encode artifacts to note, either. This is a very good-looking image and a major leap in quality from the old image. Fans are going to be absolutely delighted.

The Untouchables 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The new Dolby Atmos track is a treat. The track delights right out of the gate playing atop the opening titles with a richness and fullness never before realized for home listening. The score is very wide, so wide that the speakers seem to melt away in favor of a full orchestral score playing live right in the home. The front side carries many of the biggest and boldest elements but the surrounds pack in plenty of content as well, and all of it plays in wonderful harmony and striking detail; never before have all of the instrumental elements sounded so clear and vivid as they do here. The low end offers a delightful support structure as well, and the net effect is a glorious rendition of a classic title theme.

Other content is generally very good. An explosion in the early moments lacks real depth and substantial clarity, sounding more like a dull thud, but the car that squeals on past in the aftermath offers good depth and solid foundational directionality. However, various shootouts offer good clarity and gunfire depth, notably shotgun blasts, and some of the more intense scenes yield significant, and very enjoyable, surround content as well. Listeners will certainly feel invested and involved in the shootouts. Ambient effects around police stations and out on busy streets produce fruitful immersion and clarity. Dialogue is clear and center positioned for the duration.

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

This UHD release of The Untouchables includes all of the supplements from the legacy Blu-ray. See below for a list of what's included and please click here for full coverage. No Blu-ray copy is included with purchase. However, Paramount has included a digital copy voucher. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

• The Script, The Cast (1080p, 18:31).
• Production Stories (1080p, 17:18).
• Re-Inventing the Genre (1080p, 14:24).
• The Classic (1080p, 5:39).
• Original Featurette: "The Men" (1080p, 5:26).
• Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:49).

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

Paramount has done wonders with The Untouchables on UHD. The picture quality is terrific and it's a significant, night-and-day type improvement over the very old Blu-ray. Picture and sound are first class and sure to delight fans for years to come. No new supplements are included, which is a shame for such a great movie, but the UHD disc does carry over all of the legacy content. Very highly recommended, and packaging collectors should be on the lookout for the alternative SteelBook packaging variant.