5.8 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
It's Fourth Of July Weekend, and the recently discovered corpse of Sgt. Sam Harper - killed by 'friendly fire' during the first Gulf War - is returned to his all-American hometown. But when Sam rises from the dead to punish the unpatriotic, only his young nephew and a bitter Korean War veteran can stop his red-blooded rampage. Draft dodgers, tax cheats, crooked politicians and flag-burners beware: Uncle Sam wants you... DEAD!
Starring: William Smith (I), P.J. Soles, Isaac Hayes, Timothy Bottoms, Bo HopkinsHorror | 100% |
Dark humor | 4% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Bill Lustig's "Uncle Sam" (1996) arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground. The supplemental features on the release include two archival audio commentaries; deleted scene; fire stunts; vintage promotional and production materials; and more. In English, with optional English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 encoded with HEVC/H.265, Uncle Sam arrives on 4K Blu-ray courtesy of Blue Underground. The release does not include a Blu-ray copy of the film.
Please note that all screencaptures that appear with this article are taken from the 4K Blu-ray and are downscaled to 1080p. Therefore, they do not accurately reflect the quality of the 4K content on the 4K Blu-ray disc, including the actual color values of this content.
Uncle Sam has been fully restored in 4K under the supervision of Bill Lustig and looks absolutely stunning in native 4K. Frankly, even though Uncle Sam has a different stylistic personality, I think that the quality of its visuals is every bit as striking as those seen on the 4K makeovers of Lustig's Maniac Cop 2 and Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence. I viewed the entire 4K presentation of Uncle Sam with HDR enabled -- Dolby Vision is an option as well -- and in terms of delineation, clarity, depth, and color reproduction the visuals are very much in what I consider to be 'reference quality' territory. For example, some of the outdoor daylight footage from the Fourth of July celebration is just so sharp and lush that it feels like it was shot a week ago. The darker footage boasts outstanding ranges of nuances as well, especially in areas where there are multiple layers of restricted light/shadows. Obviously, the HDR grade makes quite a difference, but I would describe as subtle, or very carefully balance so as not to overdo particular areas, which is makes the organic nature of the visuals even more impressive. Fluidity is outstanding too, so if you have a large screen this release can be used to properly judge top quality on your system. Image stability is immaculate. All in all, this is yet another incredible 4K Blu-ray release from the folks at Blue Underground. (Note: The 4K Blu-ray release is Region-Free).
There are two standard audio tracks on this release: English Dolby Atmos and English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
I viewed the entire film with the exclusive new Dolby Atmos track. I thought that it was very impressive in its management of nuanced dynamics and surround movement during footage where the main protagonist attacks his targets. Obviously, the film's original sound design emphasizes plenty for optimal effect, but I have to give credit to the Dolby Atmos track as well because its potency was excellent. The dialog was clear and easy to follow, and I did not think that there were any areas where balance could have been better.
If viewed with a couple of good friends on a lazy Sunday afternoon, Uncle Sam could be a lot of fun. However, if you approach it expecting that it could be a great genre film you somehow missed over the years, I think that you will be underwhelmed. It has its moments, especially after the thing from the casket is released, but I feel that an opportunity was missed to make it as thought-provoking as Deathdream and Jacob's Ladder. Blue Underground's upcoming 4K Blu-ray release offers an exclusive new 4K restoration of Uncle Sam that is an absolute stunner. Frankly, the quality of its visuals is every bit as striking as that of the ones seen on the 4K makeovers of Bill Lustig's Maniac Cop 2 and Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence. RECOMMENDED to the fans.
2016
2010
2013
Collector's Edition
1985
2010
2016
Reissue
1985
2012
Unrated Special Edition
2008
2011
1984
2012
2013
Collector's Edition
1988
Limited Edition of 2,000 copies
1983
1985
1983
2015
1963
Collector's Edition
1999