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Deep Impact

4K Ultra HD

Blu Ray

  • Score
    82
    from 5 reviewers
    Review Date:
  • Deep Impact's UHD release dazzles; a timeless, emotional triumph in cinema.

    Deep Impact 4K UHD Blu-ray Front Cover

    Disc Release Date:

    True 4K
    HDR10
    Dolby Vision
    Dolby TrueHD
  • Video
    92
  • Deep Impact's 4K UHD release impresses with detailed, film-like quality and enhanced colors, despite minor issues and dated CGI.

  • Audio
    88
  • The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack impresses with clear dialogue, a dynamic range, and an immersive soundstage, despite its dated elements and missed potential for Atmos/DTS:X upgrade.

  • Extra
    79
  • The Deep Impact UHD release features no new extras, with legacy content on Blu-ray including director and VFX supervisor commentary, featurettes, trailers, and a digital code, reflecting on film creation and special effects.

  • Movie
    87
  • Deep Impact, an emotional 1998 disaster film, portrays humanity’s fight against a comet's catastrophic threat, filled with hope, love, and a daring space mission.

    Video: 92

    Paramount's release of "Deep Impact" on 4K UHD Blu-ray enhances the movie's presentation significantly, transitioning it excellently into the realm of ultra-high definition. The 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD presentation showcases an appreciable upgrade over previous formats, with a film-like image that adheres closely to its cinematic roots. The natural grain structure is maintained throughout, offering a crisp and stable image that faithful to the original aesthetic, despite minor variations during CGI-heavy scenes. The preservation of detailed textures, especially in facial features and clothing, paired with minimal digital tampering, presents the film in its most authentic and satisfying home presentation to date.

    The Dolby Vision color grading elevates the visual experience by intensifying colors without distorting the original palette, improving depth and vitality across various scenes. Despite certain scenes encountering black level inconsistencies, overall, the white balance and skin tones are commendable for their clarity and naturalness. The high dynamic range enhances both darks and lights, ensuring that explosions and high-intensity sequences remain visually striking without succumbing to crush or loss of detail. The commitment to a filmic presentation is evident, avoiding unnecessary noise reduction or artificial manipulation, thus celebrating the movie's '90s origins with unparalleled purity.

    Originally shot on 35 mm using a combination of Arriflex and Beaumont cameras, "Deep Impact" benefits from a meticulous 4K scan and grading process, which respects its filmic foundation while addressing the inherent challenges posed by its mixed-media source material. The result is a visually compelling rendition that, despite some softness in optically-intensive scenes and CGI elements, offers a significant enhancement in resolution and color depth. Although not every aspect of the image may astonish Ultra HD aficionados due to the film's deliberate cinematographic choices, this release stands as a testament to Paramount's dedication to preserving and presenting catalog titles with the utmost fidelity and quality.

    Audio: 88

    Paramount's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Deep Impact" retains the lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack from its 2009 edition, and despite some initial disappointment over the lack of an Atmos or DTS:X upgrade, the audio presentation remains robust and engaging. Deep Impact's soundstage shines with a wide and expansive front, complemented by a dynamic use of the rear channels to create an immersive atmosphere. Ambient sounds are meticulously placed, enhancing the realism of the scenes, whether it's the serene environment before the impending catastrophe or the tumultuous destruction that follows. The audio mix effectively balances clarity in dialogue, atmospherics, and Horner’s high-fidelity score, ensuring that each component, from the simplest conversation to the complex, layered audio effects during action sequences, is delivered with precision.

    The soundtrack maintains its strength and depth across a range of scenes, from quieter moments of human connection to the intense and sonically demanding disaster sequences. The low-frequency effects (LFE) channel is employed to great effect, with the subwoofer lending a satisfying depth to explosions and the chaotic destruction of Earth's landscapes. This careful orchestration of sound not only supports but enhances the visual spectacle, offering a visceral experience that belies the age of the recording. Especially notable are sequences like the Messiah’s harrowing descent onto the comet and the catastrophic impact events, where the dynamic range and muscular bass flex their sonic muscles, creating an enveloping sound field that draws viewers into the heart of the action.

    While the decision to stick with the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix might be seen as a missed opportunity for utilizing more advanced audio formats, it's clear this track still holds up well against modern standards. Dialogues remain crystal clear against the bustling backdrop of suspenseful, emotional, and action-packed scenes, allowing characters' voices to carry the narrative without loss of fidelity or immersion. With James Horner's score gracefully underpinning key moments, enhancing their emotional weight, and providing continuity across the varied soundscapes this film traverses, Paramount’s audio presentation for "Deep Impact" ensures a listening experience that is both deeply satisfying and technically commendable.

    Extra: 79

    The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Deep Impact," while visually stunning, notably lacks any extras on its 4K disc, funneling viewers towards the accompanying Blu-ray for supplemental content. This Blu-ray mirrors the original 2009 release, bundling all legacy extras including a commentary by director Mimi Leder and visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar, which provides insightful anecdotes on the film's production, albeit with lesser input from Farrar than one might hope. The included featurettes, albeit standard EPK material from the early 2000s, delve into various stages of the film’s development and production challenges, such as orchestrating massive crowd scenes and dealing with the loss of cinematographer Dietrich Lohmann. While there are no new extras or enhancements besides the HD upgrade of trailers, this package does include a digital code, which exclusively redeems on Vudu—a somewhat limiting choice by Paramount. The absence of any bonus features directly on the 4K disc may disappoint those expecting a more integrated or enhanced experience specific to this release format.

    Extras included in this disc:

    • Audio Commentary: With director Mimi Leder and visual effects supervisor Scott Farrar.
    • Preparing for the End: A look into the conceptual origins of the film.
    • Making an Impact: Focuses on location selection and challenges.
    • Creating the Perfect Traffic Jam: Details on the complexity of shooting major scenes with many extras.
    • Parting Thoughts: Discusses post-production topics and the loss of cinematographer Dietrich Lohmann.
    • Photo Gallery: A collection of behind-the-scenes photos and promotional materials.
    • Teaser Trailer: Presented in High Definition.
    • Theatrical Trailer: Also upgraded to High Definition.

    Movie: 87

    Paramount's release of the 1998 disaster film "Deep Impact" on 4K UHD Blu-ray brings an emotionally charged narrative to the forefront of high-definition home cinema, backed by the technical prowess of a 2160p/Dolby Vision video presentation. The disc maintains its stance with a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack, a legacy feature from its 2009 Blu-ray release, catering to audiophiles and cinephiles alike. This determination to stick with what works audio-visually appeals to both newcomers and longtime fans of the genre. Although it's notable that no new supplements accompany this upgrade, with all extras reserved for the included Blu-ray disc, the core cinematic experience is undiminished, providing a visually stunning revisit to a near-apocalyptic Earth.

    In "Deep Impact," humanity's introspection and resilience shine against the backdrop of a celestial catastrophe. With a comet hurtling towards Earth, the intertwined destinies of a high school astronomer Leo Biederman (Elijah Wood), MSNBC journalist Jenny Lerner (Téa Leoni), and veteran astronaut Spurgeon Tanner (Robert Duvall) reflect a collective human spirit grappling with existential dread. The narrative weaves through personal trials and societal upheaval, guided by President Beck’s (Morgan Freeman) stoic leadership. This disaster epic differentiates itself with a focus on the emotional and moral quandaries facing its characters, rather than succumbing to the genre's often formulaic spectacle.

    The film elegantly balances its broader scientific narrative with intimate human moments, encapsulating the genre's capacity for thoughtfulness amidst chaos. From teenage anxiety and journalistic integrity to presidential dilemmas and the bravery of astronauts—each thread underscores a unifying theme: humanity's fragile yet consistent penchant for hope. "Deep Impact" sets itself apart within the disaster film genre not through visual excess but through its poignant portrayal of human resilience and the nuanced acknowledgment of our mortality, offering an enriching visual and emotional experience on this new 4K UHD platform.

    Total: 82

    Deep Impact's 25th Anniversary Ultra HD Blu-ray release by Paramount Home Entertainment has been a much-anticipated addition to the catalog titles transitioning to 4K, and it does not disappoint. This film, often overshadowed by its more bombastic genre counterpart Armageddon, stands out not for its catastrophic spectacle but for its heartfelt exploration of human resilience, family, and sacrifice. The 4K Dolby Vision presentation breathes new life into this 90s disaster epic, offering a visual feast that greatly surpasses previous home video editions. While the movie itself might have been criticized for its pacing and character development when it first premiered, this reissue allows for a fresh appreciation of Director Mimi Leder's ambition to craft an emotionally compelling narrative amidst the backdrop of a global threat. The audio track remains unchanged but continues to deliver a robust surround sound experience that complements the film's dramatic moments and visual effects well.

    Although the bonus features leave something to be desired, being largely recycled from earlier releases, the quality of the film's restoration more than compensates for this shortfall. Viewers will find that Deep Impact has not only withstood the test of time but also highlights Paramount's commitment to elevating their catalog through superior 4K restorations. The film's poignant message and stunning visual upgrade make this release a must-own for fans and newcomers alike who seek a disaster movie that delves deep into the emotional stakes of its characters rather than merely reveling in the destruction it portrays.

    In conclusion, Paramount's 25th Anniversary 4K UHD release of Deep Impact significantly enhances an already impactful film. It emerges as a testament to the potential of high-definition restoration to rejuvenate classics for new audiences and dedicated fans. Despite the lackluster array of special features, the movie itself—presented in remarkable visual and audio quality—reinforces its status as a standout in its genre, celebrating human depth alongside cinematic spectacle. This edition comes highly recommended for those looking to experience or revisit an emotionally charged, visually breathtaking disaster film that prioritizes the human element above all.