The War of the Worlds 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

The War of the Worlds 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the classic 1953 Sci-fi film 'The War of the Worlds' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video. The disc includes a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack and plenty of supplements. The film was previously released by Criterion in 2020. Note that, at time of writing, this disc is only available as part of a two-film collection from Paramount, bundled with 'When World Collide,' which is not on UHD but rather only 1080p Blu-ray.

The War of the Worlds 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from the Criterion Collection Blu-ray disc; no Blu-ray copy of the film is included as the UHD ships in the 'Paramount Presents' package.

Paramount brings The War of the Worlds to the UHD format with a 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation. The image appears to be sourced from the same master as the Criterion disc (the master was prepared in 2018) and the result is a rich, organically filmic picture that offers more grain stability and textural sharpness compared to the Criterion disc. The improvements border on dramatic; for as good as the Criterion image looks, there's no mistaking the shaper definition, more confident textures, and greatly improved grain management that brings the picture to a richness and fullness of life never experienced before on home video; it probably didn't look this clean and fresh and true in its theatrical run. The image holds to the native ~4x3 aspect ratio, preserving the intended viewing experience by placing vertical "black bars" on either side of the 1.78:1 HD frame. The level of raw detail is excellent, of course looking best in when working with real imagery (humans, locations) but also rendering the various visual effects elements extraordinarily well, too. Faces and period clothes are absolutely razor-sharp and a joy to behold.

The Dolby Vision color grading is evident with the opening titles, boasting superior color brilliance and punch; there's certainly no lack of those qualities on the Criterion disc, but the level of tonal output vividness (and general textural stability and clarity, for that matter), are obviously enhanced across all of the varied colors seen in these opening moments. The level of color richness, accuracy, and stability is obvious over the Criterion disc. The Dolby Vision grading has a healthier look, a more natural tonal balance and enhanced vividness that is evident from those aforementioned titles on through to the very end. Martian green ships and the colors bursts from the alien ray guns look marvelous. Skin tones are very healthy, clothing is full and gorgeous, whites are vivid, and blacks are beautifully deep and true. Add the absence of obvious print flaws and encode shortcomings and this is a treasure of a UHD; fans are going to be thrilled!

The War of the Worlds 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This appears to be the same DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack as found on the Criterion release. My thoughts mirror Dr. Atanasov's. The 5.1 track is impressively aggressive without feeling over engineered. The openness and width are very impressive, particularly when matched by the excellent clarity. Music is rich across the front and eager to stretch into the back, but not with unfaithful balance or posturing. The openness comes with a feeling for natural extension. There are some fun discrete surround effects, such as when the aliens begin emerging in the 13-minute mark. The various action scenes in the film's second half offer all of the clarity the original sound elements allow, the larger soundstage offers emphasizing posturing and detail that more readily immerses the viewer in the action. Good stuff. Dialogue is as rich and true from a front-center position as possible. Note the absence of the mono track included with the Criterion release.

The War of the Worlds 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of The War of the Worlds contains what appears to be the same supplemental suite from a 2005 DVD issue. Note that this information is second-hand; I do not have a DVD copy in hand to verify. Some of these extras also appeared on the Criterion disc. Note that there are extras on the Criterion disc that are not included here. Those which do carry over will be noted below and reviews for those extras can be found here. Content marked "new" below is new to Blu-ray, as best as I can tell, and reviewed; that does not mean that the content is new for this release, as noted above. As it ships in the above-linked two-film collection, a slipcover is included; it is of the familiar "Paramount Present" style with fold-open artwork. It is the 35th in the line and one of the rare UHD entries in it.

• NEW! Audio Commentary: Actors Ann Robinson and Gene Barry talk up the film at a rather uneven pace.
• Audio Commentary: Film Director Joe Dante, Film Historian Bob Burns, and Bill Warren, Author of Keep Watching the Skies!. This commentary is also on the Criterion disc.
• The Sky Is Falling: Making The War of the Worlds (1080p, 29:59): Also found on the Criterion disc.
• NEW! H.G Wells: The Father of Science Fiction (2160p/Dolby Vision, 10:29): Nicholas Meyer, John Partington, and Forrest Ackerman discuss the life, times, and writing of the famous Science Fiction author.
• The Mercury Theatre on the Air Presents The War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast (2160p/Dolby Vision, 59:30): Also present on the Criterion disc.
• Original Theatrical Trailer (2160p/Dolby Vision, 2:20): Also found on the Criterion disc.

The War of the Worlds 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

This classic film earns the UHD treatment it deserves. This stands as one of the hallmark UHDs for catalogue picture quality excellence. The audio is solid, too (but missing the original soundtrack option available on the Criterion disc). There's a good assortment of legacy bonus content, too, but this disc does not include all of the Criterion bonuses. As part of the above-liked two-pack, and individually if that ever happens, this disc earns my highest recommendation.