Up 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Up 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released the touching Pixar film 'Up' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR encoded video resolution and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. No new extras are included but the studio has bundled in both the feature film and special features Blu-ray from the original 2009 Blu-ray release

Up 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Disney's 2160p/HDR-enhanced UHD presentation of Up offers a finessed upgrade over the existing 1080p Blu-ray. It is certainly not a drastic alteration of the content, but it does solidify it in terms of both sharpness and color accuracy. The format's additional resolution offers a modest, but appreciable, uptick in fine detail visibility. Clothing materials, for example, appear more robust and finely defined, showing fabric density, stitching, and the like with improved clarity and greater tactile definition. Carl's hair and dense eyebrows enjoy a sharper appearance, as do the many odds and ends throughout his home, particularly aged and well-loved items. Once the journey moves to South America, viewers are treated to sharp rocks, well defined foliage, tangible textures on earthen terrain, and other exciting visuals. It's the small things here that make a difference, but the HDR colors add a little more life to the experience than the resolution.

Indeed, the tonal solidification broadens the spectrum, adds depth, and brings greater color brilliance to the screen. As with the detailing, there's not any radical transformation here, but viewers will note deeper color intensity to blue skies, improved contrast to the multitudinous, and multi-colored, balloons that carry Carl's house to South America, and punchier greens scattered through the South American landscape. Earthy tones likewise boast improved depth and contrast, adding a sprinkling of greater realism to the locations. Whites -- such as Carl's hair -- enjoy improved intensity and pop. Black levels are excellent. There are no source or encode flaws of note. This is not the most exciting UHD on the market, but it's a fair upgrade from the Blu-ray.

Up 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This is another thin Dolby Atmos track from Disney. Switching between it and the included DTS track demonstrates its lack of depth and vigor, but its still baseline capable as it is. It certainly does not want for additional surround support; the machinery din around the house in chapter five, when it is revealed that Carl's home is the last standing in a major construction project area, offers discrete details all around the listener that come together with impressive fluidity and positional immersion. Ambient effects throughout South America are likewise well positioned and create a full, lifelike atmosphere for the listener to enjoy. Core musical clarity is fine, and spread across the front and through the rears, with a hint of top end activity, also plays well despite the lack of density and body. Volume at reference is not much of a concern; there's no real need to crank it up as with some Disney tracks from the past. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized, playing from a natural front-center location. Many listeners might find the DTS track the more suitable option.

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

Up's UHD disc contains no extras, but the two bundled Blu-ray discs carry over a fairly sizable assortment of extras. See below for an outline of what's included and please click here for full supplemental coverage. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with an embossed slipcover.

Blu-ray Disc One (Feature Film):

• Cine-Explore
• Partly Cloudy: Theatrical Short
• Dug's Special Mission: All New Original Short
• Adventure Is Out There
• Alternate Scene: The Many Endings of Muntz

• Geriatric Hero
• Canine Companions
• Russell: Wilderness Explorer
• Our Giant Flightless Friend, Kevin
• Homemakers of Pixar
• Balloons and Flight
• Alternate Scene: Married Life
• Composing for Characters
• Up Promo Montage
• Global Guardian Badge Game
• Worldwide Trailers

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

Up depicts the most heart lifting and heartbreaking 12 opening minutes in movie history, a portrait of shattered dreams but also lives fulfilled in togetherness and love. The adventure to follow finds its roots and purpose in those unforgettable minutes, and while nothing else in the movie quite lives up to that stretch of sincerity and depth, the movie's adventurous spirt, honest storytelling, and well-rounded characters make this one of Pixar's finest. Disney's UHD is fine, offering video that's a boost over the Blu-ray but not a substantial alteration. The Atmos track is stymied and fans might find the DTS offering to be the better choice. No new extras are included, but the included two Blu-ray discs bring over a quality assortment of extra goodies. Recommended, but there's no need to rush out and buy at full price; wait for a sale.