Aliens - 4K UHD Blu-ray Review - From Vinyl To Plastic

Aliens – 4K UHD Blu-ray Review

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Disney/Buena Vista | 1986

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Directed by: James Cameron

Ratings & Reviews

Please see here for my comments on reviewing movies.

My ratings are simple being marked out of a maximum of 5+. My reviews are biased towards the technical production aspects of the film with brief comments about the story line. Extras, sorry, that’s just not my ‘bag’.

So what did the 4K HDR10 video look like? Very good for its age and genre, and the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack? Sufficiently entertaining.

Entertainment: 5

Video: 4+

Audio: 4+

Technical Review – Native? 4K HDR10

Aliens was originally captured on 35 mm film by cinematographer Adrian Biddle using Arriflex 35-III and Moviecam SuperAmerica cameras with Canon K35 lenses. Was a new 4K scan made or the “best” 2K scan upconverted? It was finished and “optimized” by Park Road’s proprietary deep-learning algorithms to create a new 4K Digital Intermediate at the 1.85:1 aspect ratio and graded for HDR for this 4K release in both Dolby Vision and HDR10. This triple-layer BD100 disc has been well authored, shows minimal use of noise reduction or edge sharpening and few compression artifacts or significant noise. A very light wash of digital ‘grain’ lends the image an appropriately filmic appearance. The package also contains an BD50 HD version with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, a bonus features Blu-ray disc and a redeemable digital code. Both feature discs contain the 1986 Theatrical and 1990 Special Edition versions which maybe selected at the opening menus.

The image creeps onto your screen as a solid HDR10 presentation. This new 4K version has very good overall image clarity with a solid display of crisp, sharp detail with refined texturing throughout. Objects, clothing, threads, uniforms and facial close-ups provide very good detail. From the finer aspects of the spaceships, sets, costume stitching and fabrics, to facial pores, stubble, wrinkles, eyelashes, hair strands, sweat and features, all are well presented with few undue exaggerations. For its time and genre, the special effects and composites integration blend acceptably with the real action shots, however, they occasionally show a drop in quality, particularly in the mist strewn alien environments and several of the composites when the drop-ships fly through and around the colony complex. Effects like fiery explosions, weapons shots, debris, smoke and explosions all integrate well into the live action shots offering few distractions.

Contrast balance was very good throughout. From the numerous specular highlights to the deep inky blacks of space, the Aliens labyrinth, the Sulaco, various room interiors and costumes that showed good low level and shadow detail. Peak whites and specular highlights from the radiant glimmer and sheen of ice crystals, the metallic surfaces of the Cheyenne dropships and Sulaco, to the many light sources, various metallic objects, weapons, icy surfaces and explosions all providing a pleasing level of sparkle, helping to create a good dynamic contrast range and depth of image.

This is not a colorful movie with many scenes set at night time, in space, on dark lit planets and in dark inside environments. What colors there are support well saturated primaries and secondary’s, with good color depth and density. The color palette is almost monochromatic at times but generally has a warmer reddish aesthetic with a cool blue-gray tone push, with interjections of various natural tones such as skin, various body armor and mechanical hardware and hues like the yellow of the loaders. Strong yellows, purples and violets, fiery orange and red explosions and weapons fire, and red and crimson blood round out the pallet. Human skin tones and facial complexions looking quite natural throughout.

For its age this video is very good on all fronts, but is shy of creating an HDR10 reference image.

Audio – Dolby TrueHD 7.1

Aliens creeps into home theaters with a new and very good, Dolby Atmos mix that defaults to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 in my system. The soundtrack was thoroughly engaging whether during an emotional drama or an action scene, having solid bass, clarity and good dynamics. The rear and surround channels being used to fill out the sound field and to convey the atmospheres of various rooms, ship and indoor/outdoor environments and to support various directional cues.

The overall sound presentation is quite dynamic, with sufficient sub involvement and surround action. The soundstage is clustered around the main central image and surrounds are mainly active with ambience, delivering an active environment that drops the listener into both the quieter and active environments alike. From the opening of Ripley’s spaceship door, LV-426 storms, the dropships descent and screaming engines, to the final battle sequences. Effects placement feel quite natural, having moderate support from both the rear and side surrounds. From those quieter, dialogue-heavy sequences with surround activity inside the spaceship and various colony rooms and areas, to the exploding dropship and colony destruction, all are expanded to lightly fill the surrounds helping to keep you engaged in the mix.

Sub action is good during the action sequences supporting; the dropship engine screams, the dropship crash, various weapons fire from the pulsar rifles, flame throwers, shot guns and numerous explosions. Imaging is generally front and center following the action as it moves on and off the screen. Dialogue is always clear and well detailed with solid front-center imaging and prioritization, providing excellent clarity and detail even during the more active scenes.

Flushing out the soundscape and supporting the movie throughout its entire length, the films haunting score, composed by James Horner offers a good supportive mix. Levels hit a good balance between the dialogue and effects providing a very light spill into the surrounds and good overall soundstage integration.

The audio track may not be reference but it provides a good accompaniment to the video.

Story Overview

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the sole survivor from the original “Alien” movie, is awakened after 57 years of drifting through space. During her debriefing nobody believes her story other than the detonation of her ship the Nostromo. As the meeting closes Ripley discovers that a group of terra-formers and their families are now on the moon LV-426. Soon contact is lost with the colony and Ripley is asked to join a squad of marines to go back to the planet as an advisor. The team of marines including an “artificial person”, Bishop (Lance Henriksen) arrive on LV-426 to find the facility deserted. With evidence of a final battle and acid-for-blood damage, only one survivor is found “Newt” (Carrie Henn) a little girl, who Ripley promises to protect with her life. Finding the entombed terra-formers triggers the battle with the Aliens and a nuclear count down. Now the marines, Ripley and Newt, must get off the planet before its too late.

My 2 cents

Even after all these years this is still an entertaining and frightening Sigourney Weaver Sci-Fi classic movie. To say that this is the definitive presentation of Aliens on optical disc would be an understatement. It’s not perfect, but the picture is very good having an organic and vibrant look, with a mostly even-keeled layer of grain and good sound.

Recommended for all fans.

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From Vinyl To Plastic

One man's quest for audio perfection

One man's quest for audio perfection

Aliens – 4K UHD Blu-ray Review