BLU-RAY REVIEW

The Crow 4K Ultra HD SteelBook

Featured In Issue Issue 273, May/June 2024

Picture5
Sound5
WSR Score5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Paramount Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number):
3000097775
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Drug use and some sexuality
(Retail Price):
$25.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-66)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
102
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
ABC
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
5/7/2024
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Alex Proyas
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Subtitles):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):

Based on the comic book saga of the same name by James O’Barr. "The Crow" is the story of a young musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee), who is brutally murdered alongside his fiancée by members of a violent gang. On the anniversary of their death, Eric rises from the grave and assumes the gothic mantle of the Crow, a supernatural avenger. He then sets out on a macabre mission to mercilessly hunt down everyone responsible and make them answer for their crimes. (Gary Reber

Special features include a conversation with the late Hollywood legend Edward R. Pressman (HD 13:24), the three-part dpci,emtaru “Shadows & Pain: Designing The Crow” (HD 24:10), commentary with Director Alex Proyas, commentary by Producer Jeff Most and Screenwriter John Shirley, a behind the scenes featurette (HD 15:33), the featurette "A Profile on James O'Barr" (HD 33:26), three extended scenes (HD 04:09), deleted footage montage? (HD 05:26), trailer and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 1.85:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photograph on film stock using the J-D-C camera system and sourced from a newly remastered 4K Digital Intermediate. Grain is virtually absent for very smooth and natural imagery. The picture exhibits excellent clarity and sharpness. The production design is creatively stylized with dynamic imagery and captivating sets and locations. The color palette is beautifully saturated with rich and warm hues and strong primaries such as reds. Flesh tones are perfectly natural. HDR contrast is superb with extensive black levels and dark shadows with depth, which are the fabrics of the very dark and moody stylization. White levels are realistic and well balanced and standout against the overwhelming darkness that permeates the film. Resolution is excellent within the pervasive low light darkness of the imagery, with fine detail exhibited in facial features, including skin pores, lines, beards and hair; in clothing fabrics; object textures and the urban locations that create realism. This is a wonderful remastered presentation of a stellar revenge classic that will thrill film buffs. To fully appreciate the dynamic dark stylization of the film requires viewing in a dark, preferably black, home theatre environment. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with a mysterious quality in the way the various elements are applied. Atmospherics sound realistic for the sets and locations. Sound effects are powerful and include thunder and rain, powerful gunfire, explosions, speeding cars and punches and kicks, all of which are amplified for impact. All this is supported with deep and powerful sub-25 Hz bass in the .1 LFE channel, which perfectly supports the film's intensity and dynamism. Foley sound effects are precise. The orchestral/choral score is haunting and occupies a wide and deep soundstage with at times aggressive surround envelopment. as well, popular music is heard as much as the score. Dialogue is intelligible throughout with decent spatial integration. This is an exciting and compelling holosonic® soundtrack that sounds dynamic. It is a wonderful showcase for a home theatre system capable of fully reproducing its powerful sonic qualities. (Gary Reber)