Blu-ray Review: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Star Wars – The Last Jedi – 2018
Walt Disney 2018
PG13 | 2hrs 32 mins | Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi
HD | 1080P | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
4K | 2160P | HDR10 | Dolby Vision | Dolby Atmos | Dolby TrueHD 7.1
2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Mark Hamill | Carrie Fisher | Adam Driver | Daisy Ridley | John Boyega
Directed by: Rian Johnson
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’.
Not having 4K or Immersive audio yet, what did the 1080P24 version look like? Very good, and the sound track was acceptable.
Entertainment: 5
Video: 5-
Audio: 4+
Technical Review – HD Blu-ray
Star Wars: The Last Jedi was shot mostly on 35mm photochemical film using Panavision cameras and anamorphic lenses, with a some 65mm footage shot using IMAX cameras and a little digital photography in ARRIRAW (2.8, 3.4 and 6.5K) using Arri Alexa cameras. It was finished as a 4K Digital Intermediate, providing high dynamic range color grades in both HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It is often an impressive visual presentation.
The 1080P transfer has been beautifully carried out retaining a light and gentle grain structure from the 35mm film that creates a Blu Ray transfer that has no compression artifacts and shows what this generation of Blu ray can create. CGI integration was very good throughout with no obvious differences in detail between the real and computer generated shots. Black levels and shadow details are very good throughout the movie providing dense star fields, and were particularly noticeable on the first orders outfits and all the space battles. All facial close-ups were excellent showing fine details with every pore clearly visible, together with excellent flesh and natural skin tones.
Textural qualities and details were eye catching, from the scar on Kylo Rens face, Damerons stubble, ships instruments and hulls, the battered surfaces and the ships and instruments clean well defined lines. Colors were excellent throughout, from the blood red trails on Crait to 3CPO’s golden shine, the rebels orange flight suits, the glisten of the light sabers and the yellow and orange flames as the brilliant white lightning strikes the last Jedi temple and library on Ahch-To, AKA Skellig Michael, an island off the southern coast of Ireland.
Generally this is a reference quality video transfer and I have to assume that its companion 4K UHD release must be outstanding and a sight to behold.
Like so many of the movie scores composed by John Williams, this soundtrack is excellent. Williams once again creating unforgettable pieces of music that capture the movies essence, supporting the scenes with wonderfully tailored tracks helping to tell this new Star Wars story
The Last Jedi‘s Blu-ray release does not include the Dolby Atmos soundtrack found on the 4K UHD release, but provides a well mixed DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless presentation. The most notable issue with the mix being that its volume is well below reference level. Turning my system volume up to +2dB, 6dB above my normal listening level, brought it much closer to what I have come to expect from correctly calibrated movie track levels. However, it still lacked the bottom end heft and punch that I felt the movie deserved. It just didn’t drive deep enough during the explosive scenes. Panning effects as the ships move around the on-screen action tracked well, providing a full 360 degree sound field. Music and dialogue were all very well presented and well integrated into the movies action, with the surrounds and rears supporting not only the various environmental acoustics in great detail, but the music score to. Overall, the soundtrack mix was excellent, involving the listener in every detail of the movie, whether dialogue, effect or music. At all times the dialogue was clear, crisp and well positioned in the stereo image. This sound track was very well engineered and one of the better presentations I have heard in a Star Wars movie.
NOTE: This movie contains a paper insert that contains a Movies Anywhere Digital code. This version of the movie contains an unadvertsised feature. Using the Anywhere App you can view the entire film with a John Williams isolated score, no effects and no dialogue. A great feature. It’s such a pitty that this isn’t avilable on either the 1080P or 4K Blu-Ray versions. Not very friendly for those of use who are not digital consumers.
Story Overview & Extras
This movie picks up from where The Force Awakens left off. Rey (Daisy Ridley) learns the ways of the Force from Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). Finding her new found powers rather unsettling, Rey ultimately develops a telepathic bond with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), who is still struggling to master the Dark Side. There is also the return of an even older favorite character on the island of Ahch-To! Fin (John Boyega) teams up with pilot Poe Dameson (Oscar Isaac) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), a maintenance worker, for a critical mission behind the enemy lines. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
I do not normally comment upon extras and bonus content, but I have to say that there is a whole second disc that is dedicated to extras. With six special features and fourteen deleted scenes,. These materials are provided for the fans, not promotions or sales purposes. I only briefly glanced at this material, but I am sure it will keep ardent fans engaged for quiet a time.
Being an elderly Sci-Fi fan I have followed the Star Wars sagas like a little puppy dog since the original release of Star Wars in 1977, which to be honest, astonished me. Much like the original Alien movie during which I must have lost several pounds from nervous tension. Not all Star wars movies have been stellar, and some, including the characters like Ja Ja Binks, have actually been rather ‘lame’! Well, for me, this movie was definitely a return to some of the original production values togeter with some better acting and characters……not too sure about the little Porgs though, even if they were terribly cute.
Despite my disc having a repeatable momentary freeze at 3 minutes and 10 seconds, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and at 2hrs 32minutes the time just flew by for my 21 year old daughter, also a Star Wars fan, and I.
Ignore any inconsistencies, don’t get hung up on previous movies, just enjoy what has to be one of the better Star Wars releases.
Highly recommended.
