Enders Game (4K UHD Blu-ray) Best Buy Exclusive Steelbook review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Lionsgate  
 Release Date: August 8, 2023
Rating:  PG-13
Film:  4/5
 
 Plot
 As fears of an alien invasion grow, Earth’s International Fleet recruits an unlikely leader—a young and brilliant boy—to command its forces and fight for the future of the human race. Based on the worldwide bestseller and featuring an all-star cast, Ender’s Game bursts with epic adventure and stunning visual effects.
 
 My Thoughts
 I’ve gone back and revisited this title a few times since its initial release on Blu-ray as well as the first UHD release about 7 years ago. While not a perfect Sci-Fi film, there are a lot of likable elements that I really enjoy. I’ve had it on my read list for years, but haven’t taken the time to actually sit down and read the novel. I give the film credit for tackling some pretty serious subjects such as war, revenge, what makes a good leader, and how far would a society be willing to go to preserve its way of life? From the outset it grabs you and even though it feels a bit rushed, it does a good job of fleshing out the story. In hindsight, splitting the film into two parts would have really given it room to breathe and take a deeper dive into the characters, but hindsight is 20/20.
 
I remember when this film was released in 2016 on UHD for the first time that the fine details on the disc were outstanding, but the black levels were elevated and wonky. At the time I thought it was just the growing pains of a new format, but it turns out that Lionsgate screwed up with a setting and it led to a flat image with very little contrast. The version I have on the Kaleidescape fixed this black level issue and I’m happy to report the same here—the blacks are vastly improved and the image shows a lot more depth as a result. As for the Atmos track, there are no changes, which is a good thing, because the mix is outstanding as is.

  
 Video 9/10 
 
 Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
 Special Features:
 
·        Two Audio Commentaries
·        Ender’s Game: The Making of Ender’s Game
·        Deleted/Extended Scenes
·        Inside the Mind Games
·        Theatrical Trailers
·        Exclusive Best Buy Steelbook Packaging
·        UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy
 

 
 

 Conclusion
 It’s hard to believe that 10 years has gone by since this film hit theaters. I had hoped to see more films in the series, but I guess it didn’t do well enough at the box-office to warrant more films, so we’re left with a film that serves its purpose, but there was a lot more of the universe to be explored. Maybe someone will revisit it in the future and take another stab at it. Regardless, the new Steelbook packaging is outstanding and having a fixed video transfer is a blessing. Recommended for fans.
 

 Reference Review System:
  
 JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Kaleidescape Strato + Server
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
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[AVSCraig]

I like this movie a lot. I have the previous 4K Blu-ray. The reason there was no sequel was because the author of the books unfortunately waded publicly into the Defense Of Marriage Act and stirred up a hornets nest. Google it. I for one would have loved to see a sequel. 

[Paul Heroy]

I read the first 3 books in the Ender series around the time they were coming out. Ender's Game was very very good... Speaker For the Dead, building on the revelations at the end of EG, is a darker and more thought provoking work which made a big impact on me. Highly recommend both books, and obviously they were award winners and best sellers so I'm not going out on a limb lol.

[SRW1000]

Add me to the list of people that wished this would have gotten a sequel.

Good to know that the video has been upgraded, I'll keep an eye out for it.

Scott

[David Vaughn]

The director wanted to film the first two books concurrently, but Lionsgate wouldn't allow it due to budget constraints and their stock price taking a massive hit when the film was being made. 

Regardless, the film bombed at the box office with only $125 million (with a $110 million budget), so it lost about $85 million for the studio. 

I'll definitely have to read the books at some point. 

[David Vaughn]

Add me to the list of people that wished this would have gotten a sequel.

Good to know that the video has been upgraded, I'll keep an eye out for it.

Scott

Scott,

The steelbook is one of the nicer ones in my collection. I foresee this being a hot commodity on eBay at some point in the future. 

[DLCPhoto]

I read the first 3 books in the Ender series around the time they were coming out. Ender's Game was very very good... Speaker For the Dead, building on the revelations at the end of EG, is a darker and more thought provoking work which made a big impact on me. Highly recommend both books, and obviously they were award winners and best sellers so I'm not going out on a limb lol.

Agreed. I was a big Orson Scott Card fan back in the day, and read pretty much everything he wrote. He did end up heading in an unexpected direction on a personal level, which was unfortunate.

David - regarding picture quality - are you saying there is a new 4k/HDR disk version, or are you saying that it's only the KScape release that has the better black levels?

I have the original 4k disc, and there must be some invisible disc damage because there is one scene that neither player I have can get through without choking. If the quality is improved, I would buy it again, since I do like the movie, with fond memories of the whole series.

[David Vaughn]

Agreed. I was a big Orson Scott Card fan back in the day, and read pretty much everything he wrote. He did end up heading in an unexpected direction on a personal level, which was unfortunate.

David - regarding picture quality - are you saying there is a new 4k/HDR disk version, or are you saying that it's only the KScape release that has the better black levels?

I have the original 4k disc, and there must be some invisible disc damage because there is one scene that neither player I have can get through without choking. If the quality is improved, I would buy it again, since I do like the movie, with fond memories of the whole series.

DLC,

The "new" release matches what's on K-scape (which is a good thing) and is am improvement versus the "old" release from 2016. There's actual shadow detail now, which was really absent on the old release. Given your playback issues, you should get the Steelbook

[Paul Heroy]

Just checked my collection... I only have the BD from 2014, BB has this priced at just $22. That's a worth upgrade! Thanks for the review, David. I recall there being some serious demo quality bass on this, too.

Re: the books, just a minor point - I should have said "even more thought provoking" regarding SFtD, as EG is thought provoking but SFtD is just on another level there. A couple of the concepts it presented were truly profound and formative for me. Agreed Don in your comment about OSC.

[bmoney]

Def glad this is now on 4k

[bmoney]

I’ll be grabbing this for sure

[David Vaughn]

Def glad this is now on 4k

It's been on 4K since 2016, but the transfer at that time had raised blacks. The black of space was dark gray. 

[bmoney]

It's been on 4K since 2016, but the transfer at that time had raised blacks. The black of space was dark gray.

Hmmm now that you mention it. I already had it in 4K. Man my memory is going lol

[David Vaughn]

Hmmm now that you mention it. I already had it in 4K. Man my memory is going lol

This has improved black levels

You wouldn't be the first person to buy another copy of the same movie. I've done it at least a couple of times!

[bmoney]

This has improved black levels

You wouldn't be the first person to buy another copy of the same movie. I've done it at least a couple of times!

Might just have to