Se7en (4K UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Rating: R
Film: 4.5/5

Plot
With one week until retirement the last thing detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) needs is a serial killer on the loose in his city, but life isn't fair. Teamed with a young detective (Brad Pitt), the pair discover the killer is out to murder people he feels are guilty of committing one of the seven deadly sins—gluttony, lust, envy, pride, sloth, greed, and wrath. Can they get their man before Somerset turns in his badge?

My Thoughts
David Finger’s resume includes many notable films like Fight Club, Zodiac, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, one here's one of his best, Se7en. His villain feels justified to mete out justice as he sees fit given the sad state of society and Freeman’s character shares many of his views but doesn’t agree with his methods.

The last time I watched this was for the 2010 digibook release and I had forgotten how intense it was. Pitt’s character is full of piss and vinegar has he transfers to the “big city” and is looking forward to making a difference in the world on a much larger scale. Somerset tries to help the young man drop his idealistic view of the world and let reality sink in, but nothing he could say could prepare them for the journey they must face together as a serial killer times his killing spree to coincide with Somerset’s impending retirement. While graphic and disturbing, this is a fantastic film and keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The video comes from a newly minted 8K transfer overseen by Fincher, but it comes with a bit of controversy. He decided to use AI and some additional CGI to “fix” some quibbles he had with principal photography, which in my opinion, he did a great job with. I didn’t notice any glaring issues that shouted “look, I’m new here” and found the transfer to be extremely good. Grain looks natural, the gamma is improved to allow for more revealing shadow detail versus the older Blu-ray, and the HDR effects were kept to a minimum to keep the original look of the film.

The audio track is a brand new DTS-HD MA 5.1 mix that’s superior to the 7.1 track found on the Blu-ray, which was actually sourced from the original 5.1 track. Ren Klyce, the original sound designer on the film was brought back to remix the film and by all accounts its much closer to the original theatrical version. Dialog is intelligible throughout and the dynamic range has a lot more heft versus the Blu-ray release, especially during the opening credits. Discrete effects are put to good use with helicopters panning through the soundstage and the “lust” murder scene really gives your subwoofers quite a workout.

Video 9/10

Audio 9.5/10 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)


Special Features:

• Audio commentaries
• Deleted Scenes
• Alternate Ending
• Production Design
• Still Galleries
• Theatrical EPK
• Mastering for Hope Theater
• Exploration of the Opening Title Sequence
• Movies Anywhere Digital Copy

Conclusion
Warner has hit a home run with the remaster on this disc, but I do have once complaint. While the fold-out box is pretty to look at, getting the disc out of the cardboard encased area is extremely difficult and I ended up with fingerprints all over the disc because of how tightly the disc fit into the case. For this reason alone, spend the extra few dollars and buy the Steelbook if you’re interested in upgrading the 4K—you can thank me later. Regardless, this is the best the film has looked and sounded on home video and it’s great to see the studio update the transfer with the future in mind. While the film isn’t a pick-me-up by any stretch, the performances are fabulous and is easy to recommend for fans of the genre. 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
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
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

[bmoney]

Let’s gooo. Excited for this one!

[SRW1000]

Nice review, David.  I don't think we've watched this since it first hit home video.  Because it's so viscerally effective, it's not one that cries out for repeated viewings.  But your review has certainly got my curiosity going, making it time to check out once again.  I'm a little curious as to why Mr. Klyce chose to revert to a 5.1 mix if he remixed from the original elements, rather than moving to a full Atmos mix for even more engagement.  Maybe those original recordings just didn't lend themselves to more discreet usage?

I do appreciate that the studios are showing these older movies some love and bringing them to us with new 4K releases.  Kudos to Warner Brothers for adding newer upgrades of these older titles.  I'll be watching for this one to add to our growing collection.

[AVSCraig]

Let’s gooo. Excited for this one!

Getting ready to buy this myself.

[bmoney]

it may be dark and disturbing.  but its great edge of your seat thriller.  never gets old for me.