Tommy Boy 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		3.5

Tommy Boy 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Paramount has released the long anticipated 4K UltraHD release of the hilarious 1995 Comedy 'Tommy Boy' starring Chris Farley and David Spade, directed by Peter Segal. New specifications include 2160p/Dolby Vision video; the UHD retains the same Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack from the original 2008 Blu-ray. It also includes all of the legacy bonus features and adds nothing new. See below for a few thoughts on the new video presentation.

Tommy Boy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

The original Blu-ray release of Tommy Boy, which has been around now since late 2008 (sheesh!....how time flies!) has now, finally, earned a refreshed 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation. The previous Blu-ray was...acceptable...earning a pedestrian, but not poor, 3.0/5.0 video score, albeit from 2008 it might have been a little lenient so early in the format's lifespan. Does this new UHD bring improvement to a very old and very mediocre 1080p image? The answer, fortunately, is a resounding yes!.

The 2160p resolution sees the film not just boosted over the Blu-ray and bolstered by more muscle under the hood, but it is clear that this is indeed the product of a new 4K restoration, which Paramount further states has been overseen by Director Peter Segal. The new image is beautifully filmic, faithful to the source, and pleasure to behold on the 4K format. Gone is the lackluster, flat, lifeless, processed, and video-y look of the old Blu-ray, replaced here by a pleasantly rich, naturally sharp image that is healthy in grain retention and density, giving the image a satisfying, fresh from the can look. Fine detail is very good, especially when looking at the various attire seen throughout the film, dense machinery and parts on the Callahan factory floor, and some of the old-town brick-and-mortar structures around the industrial areas of Sandusky. The image additionally boasts complex and naturally occurring skin details, bringing the full image into a state of visual excellence that really recreates the film experience for home. I cannot imagine Tommy Boy looking significantly better than this, and I likewise cannot imagine fans of the film, and the film look in general, walking away in any way disappointed. Is it the best looking catalogue title on the market? Well, no, but it's a mighty fine image as it is.

The Dolby Vision color grading isn't a transformative experience, but it shouldn't be. What it offers is a healthier, more stable, more robust palette, one that does not aim for color explosion but rather tonal fidelity. It's an accurate color grading, offering bold and balanced reds, vivid blues, pleasant greens (especially on Callahan signage) and excellent depth and definition to the full spectrum of color on display. It's plainly superior to the original Blu-ray for accuracy and stability, which for a film of this sort and source is all one could reasonably hope for. Paramount has certainly nailed the color spectrum for clothes, location details, and skin, the latter of which appears healthy and accurate on every character. White balance is very good, though not brilliant, the white hard hats as seen in some of the early scenes are not perfect, but far healthier than the previous edition. Black level depth is solid in low light as well.

Additionally, I did not notice any sort of distracting print wear or encode issues. This is a highly enjoyable UHD viewing experience. Fans of the movie, and fans of good, hearty, faithful filmic transfers will likewise find this to be a very respectable UHD and certainly one that is easily recommended as a replacement for the aged Blu-ray.

Tommy Boy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For a full review of the legacy Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, please click here.

Tommy Boy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Tommy Boy contains all of the bonus content on the included Blu-ray disc, which is identical to the 2008 issue. No extra content is to be found on the UHD disc, which offers menu options only for "Play," "Settings," and "Scenes."

• Audio Commentary with Director Peter Segal
• Tommy Boy: Behind the Laughter
• Stories From the Side of the Road
• Just the Two of Us
• Growing Up Farley
• Storyboard Comparisons
• Additional Scenes
• Gag Reel
• Photo Gallery
• TV Spots
• Theatrical Trailer

Tommy Boy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Paramount took its time getting this fan favorite to the UHD format, and the wait was worth it, at least on the video side. This is a very hearty, and very worthwhile, and very much needed boost over the 2008 Blu-ray. Sadly, the lossless audio is the same lukewarm presentation that is going on 20 years old, while the supplements are identical, too. But the movie is a good one and the new video is a must see for fans. Recommended. Also note that Paramount has released two SteelBooks for this release: the wide release and a Wal-Mart exclusive.