Interstellar - 10th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Interstellar - 10th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

Studio: Paramount
Release Date: December 10, 2024
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4.5/5



Plot
A group of pioneers undertake the most important mission in human history to save mankind. Ex-pilot turned farmer Cooper must leave his family and a floundering Earth behind to lean an expedition traveling beyond the galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars. 

My Thoughts
I’ve watched this movie five times now and still get sucked into the screenplay from the first act and it doesn’t let go until the final credits roll.  I love how director Christopher Nolan juxtaposes how one man has to choose between living out his life with his kids (the safe choice) versus possibly leaving them forever in order to save them from certain destruction as the Earth dies a slow but inevitable death.

I really liked the performances of the main cast, particularly McConaughey and Chastain, but what really sets this film apart is the fantastic—and scientifically accurate—depictions of a black hole and worm hole. In fact, the explanation for what a worm hole actually is one of those “teachable” moments that I’m sure a lot of kids will remember for their lifetimes. The film is not perfect. In fact, it’s probably 30 minutes too long (typical of a Nolan film) and the pacing could have been improved during the editing process. I originally didn’t love the ending that much but the more I see the film, the more I like how it ties things up nicely.

Like the Blu-ray, the image shifts between aspect ratios depending on the scene and the IMAX footage is to die for. It teems with detail! The audio track is the same that’s on the Blu-ray and like its predecessor, is recorded much too loud and has some soft clipping in some of the more dynamic scenes. If you listen at safe audio levels, you won’t notice this, but if you push things towards reference—begging to have your hearing damaged—you can start to hear the soundtrack strain. Regardless, the bass response is foundation-shaking even at lower volumes, so sit back and enjoy!

Video 10/10 (MVC)

Audio 9/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)


Special Features:
·      The Future is Now: A Look Back at Interstellar (NEW)
·      The Science of Interstellar
·      Inside Interstellar: Plotting and Interstellar Journey
·      Inside Interstellar: Life on Cooper’s Farm
·      Inside Interstellar: The Dust
·      Inside Interstellar: Tars and Case
·      Inside Interstellar: The Cosmic Sounds of Interstellar
·      Inside Interstellar: The Space Suits
·      Inside Interstellar: The Endurance
·      Inside Interstellar: Shooting in Iceland: Miller’s Planet/Mann’s Planet
·      Inside Interstellar: The Ranger and the Lander
·      Inside Interstellar: Miniatures in Space
·      Inside Interstellar: The Simulation of Zero-G
·      Inside Interstellar: Celestial Landmarks
·      Inside Interstellar: Across All Dimensions and Time
·      Inside Interstellar: Final Thoughts
·      Trailers
·      Blu-ray + UV Digital Copy
·      Reproductions of Five Costume Patches
·      Five Theatrical Poster Reproductions
·      Never-before-seen Storyboard sequence





 
 Conclusion
 While the film didn’t receive a lot of Oscar love, it was one of the best films of the decade (despite the lack of nominations for Best Picture, Director, etc.). It did win a well-deserved Oscar for Special Effects though, so all was not lost. Even with multiple viewings, I still like it a lot and think it will eventually be looked at in much higher regard as time goes on than in the moment. I’m usually not a huge supplements fan, but I have to say the vast package on this disc are very informative and showed how much Nolan and Company wanted to keep things as real as possible. Unless you want the new collectibles, there’s no reason to upgrade from the previous 4K release since what’s on the discs are all the same except for the one additional “Look Back” featurette. Highly recommended for fans.     

Interstellar - 10th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[DLCPhoto]

Like the Blu-ray, the image shifts between aspect ratios depending on the scene and the IMAX footage is to die for. It teems with detail! 

This comment piqued my interest, wondering how you viewed this on your scope screen. I don't see a video processor listed in the details on your movie reviews, so did you crop for scope for the whole movie, or watch at 16:9 such that the IMAX scenes then filled the screen's height?

I love the movie, although I hate the shifting AR used (as I do with other movies as well). I can handle it any way I'd like with the Envy (similar to how a Lumagen would), but unless I view it at 16:9, only using the center of my screen, there is no way to have the IMAX scenes 'expand' to make those scenes more immersive. And if you do view it that way, you lose the immersion of the scope scenes.

Just curious!

[David Vaughn]

This comment piqued my interest, wondering how you viewed this on your scope screen. I don't see a video processor listed in the details on your movie reviews, so did you crop for scope for the whole movie, or watch at 16:9 such that the IMAX scenes then filled the screen's height?

I love the movie, although I hate the shifting AR used (as I do with other movies as well). I can handle it any way I'd like with the Envy (similar to how a Lumagen would), but unless I view it at 16:9, only using the center of my screen, there is no way to have the IMAX scenes 'expand' to make those scenes more immersive. And if you do view it that way, you lose the immersion of the scope scenes.

Just curious!

I have an "IMAX" setting on my projector and I just crop the IMAX scenes. I'd like a video processor at some point, but can't justify the cost at this point. 

[DLCPhoto]

I have an "IMAX" setting on my projector and I just crop the IMAX scenes. I'd like a video processor at some point, but can't justify the cost at this point.

Thanks Dave. That's what I figured you were doing, but wasn't sure. Even with a video processor, many make the same choice: just force a 2.40:1 crop of the entire movie, basically the same as it would have been shown in non-IMAX theaters.

Fun movie regardless!

[bmoney]

Reminds me I need to rewatch this. Thanks Dave

[Craig Peer]

Thanks Dave. That's what I figured you were doing, but wasn't sure. Even with a video processor, many make the same choice: just force a 2.40:1 crop of the entire movie, basically the same as it would have been shown in non-IMAX theaters.

Fun movie regardless!

That's what I do. This film is going to be back in IMAX theaters starting on the 6th. We are thinking about going, since we love this film too.

[Barry]

I have an "IMAX" setting on my projector and I just crop the IMAX scenes. I'd like a video processor at some point, but can't justify the cost at this point.

Dave where is the imax setting listed?
always thanx for the review. I have the last 4k version

[David Vaughn]

Dave where is the imax setting listed?
always thanx for the review. I have the last 4k version

Barry, I have a scope screen and I frame the 2.40:1 image on my screen. I then use the "mask" feature to crop the top and bottom of the picture to align with a 2.40:1 image. Then when the IMAX scenes come on, the information above and below the picture is hidden:

Interstellar - 10th Anniversary Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[bmoney]

I use the lumagen. To lock as 2.4. One of the nice additional features of having one