Aliens 4K Ultra HD [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

Aliens is one of the greatest sequels of all time, one of the few that adds something new and fresh to a classic. I've had this film (and Alien) on pretty much every format from VHS (full frame, widescreen and special edition) through Laserdisc to DVD and Blu-ray. Almost everything about it was great... except one. The picture had a grain, lack of sharpness and a blue cast that was similar to crappy NTSC to PAL VHS conversions of 80s TV movies. Compared to the Ridley Scott's original (my favourite film of all time) it always looked low-fi on every format. Many people prefer that because it's how they've always seen it but I've always found it irritating.I wasn't tempted to buy yet another version, especially if UHD made those flaws even more prominent, but then I came across the internet debate about the clean-up and wondered if this version would be what I've always hoped for from every new format.In short, it is.I tend not to test UHD discs on my 48" OLED as they can seem overly detailed, instead I watched as I would normally enjoy movies, with Sony 4K Projector and Cambridge Audio UHD player on a 12ft screen.Initial reactions were that this is the most cinematic that I've ever enjoyed this film. There is an enhanced but natural level of detail across the board, and an absence of the noise/grain that I've always had to endure and try to ignore previously. The most impressive thing though is the colours - these are still muted but no longer seem overly suppressed and monotone. In the extended version when Newt's parents are sent to check out the alien ship there are red lava like cracks in the ground; when Ripley and Newt are chatting in the MedLab the small heater next to Newt has a red glow and this is reflected on the side of Newt's face. Small things like these abound, adding up to a greater sense of realism.I don't have overhead speakers so listened in a standard 7.1 Dolby Atmos arrangement. Clarity was good and it was as immersive as I would expect from an upmixed original from that era. Not a huge amount of subwoofer activity but effective for autoloaders, ships crashing and aliens bashing their way through metal doors. I listened to the end of the credits and the facehugger running was present (it's not on all version).If you like the grainy, muted feel that this film has always had on home formats then stick with the Blu-ray edition. This set has all of the special features and commentary track that previous special editions have had. On the other hand, if you're like me and have always wondered if there's a true cinematic experience under all that low-fi image quality, there most certainly is.

Great iconic film, one of the best. Excellent quality viewing and sound.

If you’re looking for a high-quality reinvigoration of a classic, you love film and an Aliens fan like me, get it. Don’t listen to the nitpicking nay-sayers.I had difficulty finding nor accepting (no disrespect) complaints of waxy faces and removal of grain. In some shots, I even saw some very faint, super low, almost ‘fine mist’ grain. E.g. the insides of Hadley’s Hope, some shots and approaches to the Atmosphere Processor. Even the blurry, almost chromatic aberration of Bishop’s face when the second dropship arrives and Ripley asks, “how long?” is still present. Compared to my 2012 blu-ray of SE, there is an uptick in detail. They’re lifelike. You can see pores, sweat, arm hair, armour through to the nylon flare pouch and its’ elastic holders. Even the weaved strands of duct tape when Ripley twins the Pulse Rifle and flame thrower together in the last act. As well as, the shine of the dropship’s stanchions, panel details of the Sulaco AND Narcissus. To the mezzanine flooring of LV-426. The materials, whether brushed, matt, glossy, possibly powder-coated are all discernible. The up-close shots of Ripley at Gateway Station, inquiry and at her room feature so much rich detail. Such as pores, wrinkles, etc. Same when at Hadley’s Hope. And even, the graffiti of ‘Have a nice day’ in red on the colony sign is a LOT clearer than on the blu-ray.With Dolby Vision, the wide gamut, details in the background and former, bleached-out elements are now clearly in shots. Especially, in the Hive. Including single strands of sticky residue through to the busier areas when the Marines stumble across the cocooned colonists. As well as, the semi translucency of the nest resin when Ripley fires-off the flame thrower when clearing corridors. The smoke in the APC after Ripley evacs the Marines are all amazing.The great thing is with this much clarity, I thought I had appreciated all the nuggets of the Alien lore/direction Cameron wanted to take. But it’s other things which are brought to the fore and now add more depth / more distrust with Weyland-Yutani. -E.g. When they find the face huggers in the jars, I never noticed the fact that the room’s door was stenciled ‘Stasis’ from possibly way before the fateful discovery …Why would colonists need a Stasis Room in MedLab if they were just there to establish a colony?I also respectfully don’t accept the argument that it looks as though it’s been filmed on digital or a halfway in-between. If we take Top Gun: Maverick as a reference, the super fine ‘mist’ of grain that I saw or even when it’s not present doesn’t make it feel like a completely different film. The room where Maverick suits-up for the Darkstar has so many levels of black and no grain but in this UHD, some of the blacks/shadows have some visible ‘fine mist’ grain at least in my eyes. It’s still the Aliens movie I loved growing-up. The curved CRT screens at Gateway Station Medbay, APC’s screens of the Marines helmet cams, dropship and on the colony all give that retro, 80s Sci-Fi feel. Heck, even the helmet cam footage has some noise and grain :D The teal filter/colour timing is not that jarring to make the movie feel out of place. -Even, the polo shirts of Dutch and Dillon in Predator’s opening is more time-jarring! Ironically, even the game, ‘Aliens: Dark Descent’ has its’ colony rooms and corridors in teal. Which is what I remember more of when I was a kid. Especially, when Drake leads the team through the locker area of MedLab for the first time.The sound design is spectacular. Speech is a lot more discernible now. From Hudson telling Gorman that he got the computer up with sarcastic “No problem” through to Vasquez’s expletive after being stopped from whacking an unconscious Gorman. I’m still learning heights. …I think they’re not as strong as TG:M, for example. IF I’m hearing it right, when the dropship is making entry onto the planet, landing and taking-off, it sounds like they work well. On a horizontal axis from an immersive experience and soundscape, I’d say it’s fantastic when on the windy planet, the haunting bleeps of the Motion Trackers and throughout. When the Sentry Guns are in action in those echoey corridors, they really ROAR!I’ve no regrets buying this UHD nor recommending it. So glad I’ve got it in my collection and I can imagine watching this a lot more in the future.An amateur, film-lover's review and blu-ray comparison equipment:LG 65” C2LG SQ95R 9.1.5Panasonic DP-UB820EB

Its a GREAT film, enough said! I'd like to address the 4K release. I have a pretty high end system (2 channel only). Consisting of Panasonic 65" OLED TV and top of thr range Panasonic 4K player taking care of the pictures and Naim nac282 pre and 3x nap250 plus active crossover feeding a pair of Naim NBL's.To be completely honest I didn't really notice the sound quality which is a positive really, because if it had been bad it would have distracted me. The reason I didn't notice any issues with the sound is probably because I was distracted by the stunning picture quality. Every scene is like you've had amnesia before, because while it's familiar there's just so much new detail you've never seen before. Skin textures and scenery detail I've never noticed. I'd always assumed that the aliens were never really clearly seen because they were a bit crap BUT NO! Here you see them clearly for the first time and they are a credit to the costume and sf/x departments.This 4K release is head and shoulders above any of the 4K discs I own and I've got quite a few.If you like the film and you have a 4K system there is absolutely no reason not to but this.BUY ALIENS 4K NOW!

Outstanding 4K UHD disk. Picture quality is very sharp, no film grain and it looks like filmed yesterday, and not almost 40 years ago. Atmos is very involving. This an absolute must own release.