WALL•E 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

WALL•E 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Disney has released the futuristic Pixar film 'WALL•E' 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 2008 Blu-ray release.

WALL•E 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

WALL•E cleans up on the UHD format with a solid 2160p/HDR presentation. The movie begins with shades of brown and rust on Earth, a deliberately ugly barrage of lifeless tones that the UHD's HDR color spectrum enhances by way of deepening and darkening, bringing a more realistic feel of decay through the denser downtrodden tones. Bright splashes -- the robot recharging its solar panels in chapter four, the sun shining down while he sits atop a warped yellow piece of machinery -- brings a similar tonal turn, strengthening depth but not making major alterations to the scene's most dominant hues. As the movie transitions to the Axiom, more intense colors come into play, including high luminance and very crisp whites, bold reds, and cool blues. It's very much a stark contrast, boasting clean, efficient, smooth, and refined colors, which is an interesting juxtaposition considering humanity now reflects the earthen trash heap more than it does the cleanliness and "health" inside the luxury liner. But these colors are wonderfully produced, boasting improved lighting and tonal accuracy and spice compared to the Blu-ray, which is not far off but that cannot match the HDR spectrum's intricacies.

There is not a massive new amount of detail, either. The 2160p resolution certainly brings a feel for modest improvements to overall clarity and textural accuracy, including all of the trash and rust and decay on Earth and, later in the movie, when looking at robots, machinery, consoles, and the like on board the Axiom. As with the color differentiations between these areas, the viewer has an opportunity to explore the two extremes of textural adeptness in play throughout the movie, and on this format the ability to see it all more fully and without resolution hindrance is a delight. Again, there's not a night-and-day difference between this image and the Blu-ray, but fans should find enough fine-point upgrades and alterations to make the transition worthwhile.

WALL•E 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

WALL•E's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is not lacking immersive activity, but it's also thin and flat and a good bit less robust than the companion DTS lossless track accompanying it on the disc. Take a ship that blasts off in chapter five. The effect is much more pronounced, full bodied, more dynamite with the DTS track. Under the Atmos configuration, it's not wanting for information and spacial engagement and management, but the effect lacks that depth, that intensity that really pulls the listener into the scene. Such holds true throughout. The Atmos track is not bad in total, at least offering a wealth of surround integration, some tangible overhead compliments, and the like, but listeners wanting the most technically accurate listen might want to switch to the DTS track, trading channels for depth and fullness. In the Atmos track, dialogue is clear and well prioritized as it presents from its front-center home. Music enjoys quality width and good foundational detailing, ditto various sound effects in what is a movie that, particularly early on, is much more sonically concerned with environmental nuance than it is speech or action dynamics.

WALL•E 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

WALL•E'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.

Disc One:

• Presto
• Burn•E
• Burn•E with Boards

• WALL•E's Treasures & Trinkets
• "Lots of Bots" Storybook
• Axiom Arcade
• Sneak Peek: WALL•E's Tour of the Universe
• Bot Files
• Deleted Scenes
• Behind the Scenes
• BnL Shorts
• 3D Set Fly-Throughs

WALL•E 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

WALL•E is arguably the best film in the Pixar canon and it's never looked so good for home consumption as it does here. Even if the video is only a modest improvement over the Blu-ray, it's still the superior option. Choose the DTS track over the Atmos track and enjoy! Recommended.