Unbreakable 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Unbreakable 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released Director M. Night Shyamalan's 2000 film 'Unbreakable' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless audio. The included Blu-ray disc has also been remastered. No new supplemental content has been included.

Unbreakable 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from the remastered 1080p Blu-ray disc included in this set.

First things first, and that is to note that the Blu-ray disc included with Unbreakable has been remastered; Disney has not simply dropped the old disc into the UHD package and called it a day. Beyond a subtle shift in aspect ratio from 2.35:1 to 2.40:1, the picture, clearly sourced from the same master utilized for the UHD disc, offers more balanced color timing -- delivering superior skin tones, for starters, but also less garish tones in general, finding a soothing warmth and accuracy. Overall clarity and filmic finesse are increased as well. The change are not dramatic, but the little improvements here and there add to a much more satisfying experience overall. Therefore, fans still enjoying Blu-ray only would be wise to upgrade, even if this release is highlighted by the UHD disc.

The 2160p/HDR UHD presentation is satisfyingly solid all-around. While it's certainly better than either the original 2008 or new 2021 remastered Blu-ray, the improvements, particularly between this and the remastered 1080p disc, are subtle but, like the difference between the two Blu-ray discs, they do add up to the point that the upgrade is a worthwhile one. This is not a "show stopper" or a "reference quality" presentation by any means, but it's pleasantly filmic and sharp. Grain management is excellent; Disney's disc retains a pleasing, organic grain structure that emphasizes the film roots and accentuates the natural details on display. The 2160p resolution allows for a well defined assortment of details, even as the film is fairly dark and warm overall. Facial features are more intimate and intricate compared to the Blu-ray (take a look at a close-up depicting Mr. Glass at the 29:39 timestamp and David Dunn at the 37:40 mark for a couple of high point examples of this disc's ability to reveal exceptional facial clarity), offering a bit of a sharpness uptick and improved sense of clarity to the fine-point details, though certainly this is not a radically transformative image; the UHD simply squeezes out more of the natural film resolution and object sharpness. The picture has a mild softness about it, at times, but the core picture is commendably sharp to the filmic source and Shyamalan's and Cinematographer Eduardo Serra's intentional stylization.

The HDR color grading adds the usual array of improvements compared to the Blu-ray, including improvements to color depth, density, detail, and accuracy. Blue skies (16:20), purple attire and gray comic shop walls (26:45), and other highlight color examples are rendered more faithfully and fully, certainly boasting boosted contrast to offer a fuller, livelier picture. The picture appears more evenly balanced, and even as it's a dark film with warm tones and color timing interspersed and dominant even in well-lit scenes, the picture feels more lively and authentic here. Skin tones are excellent, again with some scattered (and seemingly inherent to the source) softer and pasty examples intermixed, but when the image is on, which is most of the time, it's a delight. Whites are crisp and accurate, beyond the remastered Blu-ray (opening text and titles, the card Glass leaves on Dunn's windshield), and black levels are superior for depth and accuracy. The picture is free of any serious print wear or encode/authoring issues. This is a fine UHD release from Disney.

Unbreakable 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For whatever reason, Disney has opted not go the Dolby Atmos (or DTS:X) route for its UHD release of Unbreakable, instead offering a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack which replaces the original release's LPCM 5.1 track (the DTS track is on the UHD and the remastered Blu-ray). The presentation does not sound like a radical departure from the LPCM track, and even in the absence of added channels it's a full and healthy presentation. There is none of the semi typical Disney tampering at work here, no obviously reduced volume or muted bass. That is not to say the movie is a sonic powerhouse in either of those areas -- it is not -- but it's well accurate and stable. Location fill is very pleasing in packed football stadium corridors as heard in several scenes. Light rain, blowing wind, and a few distant thunder cracks around the 87-minute mark are a highlight of excellent environmental fill. Musical engagement is clear, wide, and folded into the surrounds with well balanced positioning, and the low end offers a stabilizing depth. There is a terrific feel of submerged depth in chapter 23 during an underwater fight. The scene might could stand a little more low end intensity, but the feeling of surround engagement and the depth that's there is fine. Dialogue is clear and center positioned. It is also well prioritized throughout.

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

Disney's UHD disc contains no extras but the remastered Blu-ray disc includes all of the extras from the 2008 disc and adds nothing more; this is the only area where there has not been some change made to the presentation. See below for a list of what's included and please click here for more details. A digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Behind the Scenes
• Comic Books and Superheroes
• Deleted Scenes
• The Train Station Sequence
• Night's First Fight Sequence

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

Unbreakable holds up as a truly amazing cinema experience and Disney's new UHD makes for an excellent way to watch it. The new 2160p/HDR video presentation delights, the 5.1 lossless soundtrack more than holds its own, and the included extras, even only ported over from the 2008 disc, are fine. Highly recommended, and collectors should take note of the available SteelBook packaging variant.