The Addams Family (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: November 9, 2021
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4/5
 
Plot
When long-lost Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) reappears after 25 years in the Bermuda Triangle, Gomez (Raul Julia) and Morticia (Anjelica Huston) plan a celebration to wake the dead.  But Wednesday (Christina Ricci) barely has time to warm up her electric chair before Thing points out Fester's uncommonly "normal" behavior.  Could this Fester be a fake and part of an evil scheme to raid the Addams fortune?
 
My Thoughts
I can’t believe it’s been 30 years since I’ve seen this movie, but time has definitely flown by. I grew up watching reruns of the TV show and while it was never my favorite, I do have fond memories of it. First-time director Barry Sonnenfeld led this project back in 1991 and hit a home run with the production. What could have been a campy rehash of a TV show stood on its own for many reasons. First, the cast is stupendous. Second, the script is excellent and LOL funny. Third, the sets and practical effects are first rate. Finally, the cinematography is befitting a Oscar-worth drama due to Sonnenfeld’s insistence on the look of the film and him hiring Own Roizman, a five-time Oscar nominee.
 
To say this movie looked and sounded great is an understatement. It’s a reference-quality video transfer along with a DTS-HD MA 5.1 track that is one of the best you’ll ever hear. The cinematography is so much a part of the story that seeing it unfold in 4K is mesmerizing. It’s perfectly clear, teaming with detail, and the black levels are the die for. Not to be outshined is the soundtrack, which is aggressive in every element, especially with the score and LFE track. Disney, if you’re reading this, send your audio mixers a copy of this disc to see how a UHD movie is supposed to sound at home.
 
 
Video 10/10
 
Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
Special Features:
 
·        Introduction to “More Mamushka!” version by director Barry Sonnenfeld
·        Filmmaker Focus: Barry Sonnenfeld on The Addams Family
·        Archival Featurette
·        UHD + Digital Copy
 
 

 
 
Conclusion
My wife didn’t want to sit down and watch this film last night, but she was outvoted by the rest of the family. In the end she was probably the one laughing the most and wondered if we could watch the sequel tonight. Sadly, it’s not available on UHD, but hopefully this disc sells well enough that the studio decides to release it sometime soon. The film is a blast and the presentation is one of the best the format has to offer. Highly recommended.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD  controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

Never seen it but my daughter loves all things Addams family so I’ll be spinning it soon