Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		2.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

Trancers 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 10, 2022

One might reasonably argue that the 4K UHD format has reached its maturity when lower budget "niche" items like Trancers start to become available, but that said, sometimes a "new, improved" format is not always the best friend to lower budget "niche" items like Trancers, and that situation may be the case with this fun movie that many might remember from the heyday of what was once the reigning technology of the time, VHS.

Trancers received a 1080 release in 2014 from Full Moon Features, and those wanting a plot recap are encouraged to read Martin Liebman's Trancers Blu-ray review of that version. As I'm fond of saying, different reviewers means different opinions, and those who keep track of scores will notice mine are slightly different from Marty's.

Trancers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.

Trancers is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Full Moon Features with a 2160p transfer in 1.78:1. This was obviously a low budget effort from the get go, and so some of what's on display here is of the "baked in" variety, but this is another 4K UHD release that I'm personally not certain really needed the increased resolution and dynamic range, since this is often a really fuzzy, blotchy and even at times downright pixellated looking presentation. I frankly was not as much a fan of Full Moon's 1080 presentation as Marty was (and my score reflects that), as I found that the original Blu-ray had a slightly processed appearance that to my eyes is only exaggerated in the 4K UHD version. Where the 1080 version looks undeniably rough (as in the opening vignette in the diner), the 4K UHD version looks noticeably even more rough, with a splotchy grain field and indistinct detail levels. When things improve after the equally "iffy" opticals by the beach (see screenshot 4), there is definitely a better, more tightly resolved grain field, and HDR does add some nice new highlights, as in the bright reds of Helen Hunt's Christmas outfit. That said, I often found this version to be slightly pinkish and flushed looking when compared to the 1080 version. Fine detail does enjoy an uptick in this version on things like Thomerson's bristly stubble. But all of the lo-fi "special effects" aren't especially aided by the increased resolution, and throughout this presentation, everything from grain to clarity to color temperature can vary fairly noticeably.

Trancers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Someone had pre-set this release to show lossless audio, but kind of shockingly, this 4K UHD disc repeats the lossy Dolby Digital tracks that are on the 1080 version and which Marty describes in his review. There are optional English subtitles available.

Trancers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Both the 4K UHD and 1080 discs in this package sport the same array of supplements:

• Audio Commentary with Charles Band and Tim Thomerson is accessible under the Setup Menu.


• Short Film - Trancers: City of Lost Angels (HD; 24:41) is "high definition" in name only (it was in 480i on the original 1080 Blu-ray Marty reviewed).


• Trancers: A Video Essay (HD; 19:50) is an interesting overview which receives its actual title Gone Down the Line at the very end. Written by Chris O'Neil, this is voiced by Claire Loy. This seems to be a new addition to the supplements, based on the list Marty includes in his review.


• Trancers Official Trailer (HD; 2:59) may beg the question, "Is there an unofficial trailer?"


• Cybercrime: The Making of Trancers (HD; 14:27) is a 2014 featurette from Ballyhoo with some good interviews.


• Archival Interviews (HD; 2:01)


• Still Gallery (HD; 1:39)

Trancers 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I think it's commendable that smaller labels like Full Moon Features are venturing into 4K UHD, and this film is probably inarguably Full Moon's "marquee attraction", but that said, something that suffers from less than optimal technical merits to begin with may not be the best candidate for the increased resolution and dynamic range that this format offers. Exacerbating the video side of things is the kind of shocking decision to only feature lossy audio (it's notable that the back cover of this release lists DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, so this may have been a production error that will be remedied with a future pressing). The video essay included with this version is an appealing addition, but that may not be enough to sway those who may be considering making a purchase.