Zombieland 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Zombieland 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

After a decade in service on Blu-ray and with the sequel about to hit theaters, Sony has released Director Ruben Fleischer's 2009 ZomCom 'Zombieland' to to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p resolution, HDR color, and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Several new extras are included on the UHD disc while the bundled Blu-ray, which is identical to that released in 2009, brings over all legacy bonus content.

Zombieland 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Zombieland was digitally photographed and per IMDB finished at 2K (and there's a great extra on the UHD disc that goes into some detail about the digital shoot with emphasis on the slow motion photography). The UHD delivers a good clean image that noticeably, but not significantly, bumps up overall clarity. Such increases are generally minor, but appreciable. Examine some character close-up shots. Tallahassee's facial hair appears sharper, the wear on his hat a little more prominent, and fabric materials a little more fully refined and revealing. The picture is pleasantly sharp and clear and presents some fine world details with a bit more clarity and visibility. Road pavement, grocery store wares, gas station deterioration, velvety chairs in Bill Murray's home theater, and so on are all beneficiaries, even if they're not substantially more visually accessible. No, this is merely a refinement of the Blu-ray, adding a feel for overall clarity and bringing out slightly more textural nuance and sharpness.

The HDR color application is likewise tasteful and not overzealous. It's not quite so subtle as the improvements to detail, but there's certainly not an explosion of new, intensely saturated and boldly telling colors. The palette bears the fruits of added depth across the entire spectrum. Black levels are more lifelike, deeper and more pleasantly presented for fullness and authenticity. Bright lights enjoy more luminance and deliver cleaner, more natural intensity, making some of the brightest light sources on the Blu-ray appear a bit flat and washed out. This is obviously most evident at the amusement park at film's end where a parade of multicolored lights pop with very pleasing intensity against the nighttime sky. Red blood is a highlight. Viewers will note greater depth and pop, whether freshly spilled bright red blood or long festering dark and deep blood. The yellow Hummer seen prominently in the middle of the movie pops, especially at night but also, of course, under the more forgiving daytime sun. This is a very nice image that strikes the right balance between digital-flat and glossy-shiny. It's clearer, more accurately colored, and the image brings no major source or encode issues to the screen. Light noise remains in low light but isn't much of an issue. This isn't a prolific 4K image but it's a decent little upgrade that looks quite nice in total.

Zombieland 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Zombieland's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is a rousing success. It's appropriately large from the beginning, with music blasting good, clean, aggressive notes with full front-stage engagement, balanced surround integration, and a welcome overhead component. Every bit of music, from score to popular songs, plays with pinpoint control of placement, saturation, and detail, which extends to the low end range. Action scenes are a blast, literally, with various examples of gunfire bursting from the speakers with positive intensity and command of each shot. Even if gunshots are not fully realistic for depth and ear-splitting volume, there's no questioning the balance and prioritization thereof. There are some fine examples of natural atmosphere in some of the more "peaceful" locales that allow for whatever is left of nature to sonically appear and give shape to the world, hints of what once was and will never be again. Overheads are not used sparingly, in atmosphere, in music, and in action, but they are not used excessively or exclusively. The track finds good balance of elemental details, complimenting rather than saturating the stage with overhead engagement. Dialogue is clear, precise, and perfectly positioned and prioritized. This is a good, balanced track that is much like the video, a positive upgrade but not a monumental shift in the film's sonic landscape.

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

Zombieland's UHD disc includes several new extras while the bundled Blu-ray, identical to that which released a decade ago, includes all of the previously released content. See below for reviews of the new supplements and please click here for coverage of the carryover content. A Movies Anywhere digital copy code is included with purchase. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

UHD Disc:

• NEW! Raised from the Dead: Zombieland, A Decade Later (1080p, 8:30): With the new film arriving presently, cast and crew look back at the freshness found in the original film, themes, characters, actors and performances, Ruben Fleischer's direction, and more. The piece also includes the cast answering fan questions and ends with a clip from the new film.
• NEW! Shootin' Zombies with Ruben Fleischer (1080p, 20:05): Fleischer breaks down the opening title sequence by exploring a number of super slow motion shots: the technology used to make them, the benefits and limitations of each, and how and why they were or were not used in the final cut. (NOTE: It has come to my attention that this supplement was previously available on the Best Buy exclusive 'Nut Up or Shut Up' release of the film).
• NEW! Behind the Scenes with the Cast and Crew of Zombieland (1080p, 7:27): A quick look at the "rules" the movie establishes, the blood and guts in the movie, the stunts and zombie kills, fun in the end of the world, the amusement park setting, and more. (NOTE: It has come to my attention that this supplement was previously available on the Best Buy exclusive 'Nut Up or Shut Up' release of the film).
• NEW! Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:03).

• Beyond the Graveyard Picture-in-Picture Track
• Audio Commentary: Actors Woody Harrelson and Jesse Eisenberg, Director Ruben Fleischer, and Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.
• In Search of Zombieland
• Zombieland Is Your Land
• Deleted Scenes
• Visual effects Progression Scenes
• Theatrical Promo Trailers
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.

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

Zombieland's UHD disc is in command of its new elements. Video and audio have not been grossly jazzed up but rather refined with the new tools available to them. The movie, of course, is a blast and the new UHD is the best way to watch it ahead of Double Tap. Highly recommended.