UHD Review elf UHD Review (1 Viewer)

[Todd Erwin]

Warner brings Jon Favreau’s holiday classic elf to 4K UHD Blu-ray with a much-improved transfer.



Elf (2003)



Released: 07 Nov 2003
Rated: PG
Runtime: 97 min




Director: Jon Favreau
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family



Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart
Writer(s): David Berenbaum



Plot: Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.



IMDB rating: 7.0
MetaScore: 64





Disc Information



Studio: Warner Brothers
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution: 2160p HEVC w/HDR



Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA...

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[DaveF]

elf has never looked good on home video, and the proof can be found on the included Blu-ray release from 2008, which had muted colors and was plagued by smeary DNR. At least, until NOW. Warner has gone back to the original camera negative (where possible) and created a new 4K scan. The 2160p HEVC-encoded transfer retains the film’s theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (opposed to the Blu-ray’s 1.78:1 aspect ratio) and added HDR10 high dynamic range. The difference is night and day, as the UHD has bolder colors and a very noticeable increase in detail. The velvety textures of the North Pole costumes is much more evident now, as well as more distinct wood grains in the floor boards. Contrast is improved, with deeper blacks and stronger shadow detail, as well as brighter highlights that still reveal minute details in the snow drifts.

Well, I was going to happily ignore this release since I bought the blu-ray in 2020. But now you’re telling me blu-ray looks terrible I need the 4K and thanks a lot!

 

[dpippel]

Thanks for the review, Todd. I'm happy to hear that we have a shiny new transfer! Too bad the included Blu-ray is the old release though. I *really* wish that studios would stop doing this. If you've gone to the trouble of doing all that work for the 4K, just give us a Blu-ray derived from the same master!

 

[Lee Sandersen]

Thanks for the review, Todd. I'm happy to hear that we have a shiny new transfer! Too bad the included Blu-ray is the old release though. I *really* wish that studios would stop doing this. If you've gone to the trouble of doing all that work for the 4K, just give us a Blu-ray derived from the same master!

Not sure why you need to include a Blu-ray in the package if you already have the 4K disc. How about a better price sans the Blu-ray? I think my old Blu-ray is good enough on this release. My wife says I have to cut down on my purchases. She says I have "a problem". I agree, I do have a problem, not enough cool 4K discs on my shelf!

 

[Todd Erwin]

Not sure why you need to include a Blu-ray in the package if you already have the 4K disc. How about a better price sans the Blu-ray? I think my old Blu-ray is good enough on this release. My wife says I have to cut down on my purchases. She says I have "a problem". I agree, I do have a problem, not enough cool 4K discs on my shelf!

In most cases, as is likely the case here, the Blu-ray is included in order to have access to the special features.