American Hustle: 10th Anniversary Stellbook (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Sony Pictures  
Release Date: May 21, 2024
Rating: R
Film: 4.5/5
 
Plot
The con is on when scam artists and lovers Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) are entrapped by ambitious FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) and coerced into participating in a major sting operation which hinges on snaring politician Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner) and his associates. Complicating matters is Irving’s wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), who could bring the whole operation crashing down around them all.
 
My Thoughts
It’s a very rare occasion that I don’t see an A-list movie when it hits home video, but for some unknown reason, I had never seen this film until this past weekend when popping in the 4K disc into my player. Holy smokes did I miss a great one!

 
The story is centered around the Abscam investigation that the FBI conducted in the late 1970s, but the story that’s portrayed is a work of fiction—but a very entertaining and compelling bit of fiction! The all-star cast is led by Christian Bale, who put on over 40 pounds to play the lead and the supporting cast is simply outstanding and includes the likes of Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Amy Adams, who delivered one of the finest performances of her career and should have won an Oscar for it. It’s hard to believe that this one stayed off my radar for 10 years, but somehow, I missed adding it to my viewing queue.


The presentation is excellent, as is usually the case with Sony 4K discs. It certainly helped that a new 4K DI was used for the release and the HDR grading was approved by director David O. Russell. The 2014 Blu-ray release is included in the set and there’s certainly an uptick in detail and depth with the new 4K master, so I would consider this a worthy upgrade. The Dolby Atmos track is mostly front loaded and the overhead speakers serve as a way to enhance the musical soundtrack—which is excellent in its own right.

 
Video 9.5/10 
Audio 9/10 (Dolby Atmos)


Special Features:

• *NEW* Additional 15 minutes of never-before-seen deleted/extended scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• 11 Deleted/Extended Scenes
• The Making of American Hustle
• Steelbook Packaging
• UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Copy

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Cb4SFt7gE&ab_channel=SonyPicturesEntertainment



Conclusion
Having missed out on this 10 years ago, I’m happy that Sony gave it the A-list treatment it deserves for its 4K release including a new 4K master as well as spiffy Steelbook packaging. The movie itself is terrific and is wildly entertaining, funny, and features phenomenal performances from the ensemble cast. I still find it hard to believe that despite 10 nominations, it didn’t at least take home one Oscar. Highly recommended.
 

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
 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

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Agreed on all fronts!

[David Vaughn]

Greetings,

Agreed on all fronts!

Thanks for chiming in Ralph!