Why So Blu?

Brian’s Top 10 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Releases of 2018!

For me the highlight of 2018 on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format were the great catalog releases we received.  We expect our 2018 theatrical releases to look pristine and sound great on 4K UHD Blu-ray (with some Disney ones being the exception to that rule).  However, it’s the catalog releases that always manage to surprise and delight the film “collecting” (that’s for you Brandon Peters) folks like me on the 4K format.  Sure it sucks having to double dip on titles you already own sometimes on multiple formats, but like my 4K collector peers J.G. Molina and Robert Jaros always say “I want to own the best version of the movie.”  Although I will debate forever with anyone that says Oblivion is better on the 4K format compared to Blu-ray, but I digress.  So yeah that ultimately means sucking it up and laying your hard earned money down on titles you probably own on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray already.  We all do it.  It feeds our passions!  That’s who we are. #NoExcuses

With that being said you’re going to find my below Top 10 4K list rather top heavy when it comes to catalog releases.  There were some pretty significant heavy hitters released on 4K UHD Blu-ray this year like Braveheart and Gladiator just to name a few (not listed below).  Even the original X-Men trilogy of films popped up on the format!  That’s not to say there are not some impressive 2018 theatrical releases worth mentioning too, but for me the catalog ones ruled my world this year.  However, I do give props to a few 2018 films released on the format this year.  So there’s that.  The other thing I need to get off my chest is I could not for the life of me whittle this down to 10 mere 4K titles.  Therefore, I apologize about this misleading name up above of “Top 10 4K.”  Instead this is not really a Top 10 4K list, but rather a Top 13 one.  I did my best.  All of these titles below, in my opinion, deserve nods for their superior releases on the now 3-year old 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format.  Can you believe it has been that long?  What a wild ride thus far!

Before we begin I also want to lay the ground rules with the following disclaimer.  I am in no way, shape or form telling you these are the definitive 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray releases of the year.  I am not qualified to say that nor am I brave enough.  These are in fact all titles I own in my 4K collection at home and for one reason or another whether its the film’s presentation, packaging or even extras in extreme cases I feel they are some of the best that 2018 has been afforded on the format.  Obviously too I am missing anything that is being released beyond December 18th this year.  That’s the sacrifice I make by being one of the first on the site here with my “Top 10” list, but a tradeoff I’m willing to accept.  I don’t do this for the fortune and fame, but rather my love for “collecting” these.  Please feel free to take a gander at my list below and leave me a comment too.  Let me know whether you feel the same, different or think I’m full of you know what.  Just the fact that you took the time to sift through all my rambles below already means the world to me and besides…sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never…

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#13

GAME OF THRONES: SEASON 1

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I have to say I was very skeptical at first when this HBO catalog title was originally released.  I mean the first season of Game of Thrones has seen endless reissues already on the Blu-ray format and they even went back and incorporated a Dolby Atmos track to boot back in 2015 as I originally reviewed here.  Therefore, my doubt was to whether or not this one would really look that much better on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format.  We already knew it was going to sound like a winner, but because this is only a 2K DI upscale how much better would that translate to?  As you can see from my 4K review link that follows here I was not let down.  While some of the upticks could be classified as only minor the majority of the presentation to me was an incredible improvement and couple with the Dolby Atmos track there’s no better way to intake this first season that this milestone release.  Peculiar though many of the previously released Blu-ray extras are struck from this 4K release.  Check out my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all HERE.

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#12

THE EQUALIZER

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You’re probably thinking to yourself…The Equalizer…really?  Go ahead and scoff all you want, but I said up above this is my personal list and tastes.  I know there are a lot of haters out there, and well Part 2 is not that great compared, but I’m a huge fan of Denzel Washington in The Equalizer.  Equally exciting is the fact that this newer catalog looks and sounds absolutely amazeballs on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format.  I couldn’t be happier with the presentation, but things don’t stop there for this Sony catalog release.  Oh no!  Sony completely ups the ante and throws in a smorgasbord of brand new extras just for this 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release alone.  Now that’s what I call getting your money’s worth out of a double dip!  Don’t only take my word for it here, but instead make sure you thoroughly check out my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all HERE.

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#11

SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE

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Superman: The Movie may not be a looker by any means in the visual department, but there’s no denying how great that John Williams’ iconic score (“Superman Theme) or Dolby Atmos sequences sound.  It’s also one of the first mainstream superhero films that kicked off the craze we’re all accustomed to today in Hollywood’s repertoire of films not to mention a celebration of everything Christopher Reeve brought to the role.  He brought to life for a whole new generation of fans the superhero identities of both Superman and his alter identity Clark Kent.  However, this isn’t the place to debate who wore it best, Reeve or Cavill, but instead to rejoice for how great this 4K presentation turned out.  While we don’t have a review of this release on our site here you can read all about it over HERE.  For as good as I feel this release is I can truly emphasize with everyone who was holding their breath for an Extended Cut.  However, you’re out of luck here.  Sorry.

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#10

FIRST BLOOD

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Much like Superman up above another beloved action film from my childhood, albeit can very much billed as a drama war picture, appeared on the 4K ultra HD Blu-ray format in advance of Veterans Day.  I’m of course talking about the Rambo trilogy of films, but focusing on this 4K Studio Canal release of where it all started in First Blood.  It’s not only a legendary picture for another iconic starring role for Sylvester Stallone, but also the finest this presentation has ever looked on any home media format.  It won’t take home any awards for reference looking visuals, but it definitely exceeded many expectations of how good it could look on 4K disc.  And in the grand scheme of things that’s all that matters here.  So why don’t you do yourself a favor and check out my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all HERE.

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#9

PREDATOR: 3-MOVIE COLLECTION

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What say you?  We all waited a long time for a proper transfer of Predator on a home media optical disc format haven’t we?  The previous Blu-ray releases were misses and even started a movement called “Waxgate” as they used DNR to take out noise, etc.  Well while it may not be perfect I’m pleased to say the monster hunter never looked better than he does in this 4K 3-disc trilogy collection consisting of the original Predator, Predator 2 and Predators.  Thankfully the AVP films have not seen the light of day on the format.  I’m sure they probably will one day, but not now.  While Predators is relatively new I was ecstatic to see how great looking Predator 2 “appears” (no pun intended) now.  Yes!  This collection put a huge smile on my face despite the fact the audio surround tracks remain the same.  There are also no new extras either, but this was really just meant to whet our appetite for hit year’s Shane Black entry, The Predator.  Check out Brandon’s review of all three titles within this collection in his 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review HERE.

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#8

JURASSIC PARK:

25TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION

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Despite never being the biggest fan of the Jurassic Park movie franchise, there’s no denying the legacy of these guys, especially that of the first one (hence the 25th anniversary moniker of it all).  There’s also no denying the fact that many enthusiasts have been salivating over an eventual release of these monstrous titles on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format.  I can respect that.  Even I found myself a little giddier the lower they continually minimized the retail price on this 4K 8-disc set (although price has gone up since).  That’s right.  You read that correct.  There are 8 discs housed in this collection with each of the four films appearing on both 4K UHD and 1080p Blu-ray Discs plus a ton of previously released extras.  Some will argue with me, but these never looked as good as they do here in this 4K collection.  Read all about my expansive thoughts on this larger than life box set in my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all HERE.

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#7

DIE HARD:

30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

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For thirty years now there are people who still endlessly debate whether the legendary action movie Die Hard is a Christmas film or not.All arguments aside I always just regarded Die Hard as simply one of the greatest action films of my generation growing up.  It had it all: a flawed hero, a donut eating cop as a buddy, a memorable villain, a high tower (monster in the house) and most importantly, R-rated action, bloody executions and foul F-bombing language.  However, despite all of this Die Hard has never been a looker on any home media format.  That is until now.  This 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation is a huge, milestone step up and definitely the finest Die Hard has ever looked.  Check out my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all HERE to find out why I feel the way I do about this 4K release.

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#6

A QUIET PLACE

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A Quiet Place is a post apocalyptic exercise much like I Am Legend was.  They both are quiet and bleak films for a reason, but A Quiet Place very much has a leg up the competition.  Its Dolby Atmos presentation is quite amazing.  The creatures literally crawl above you in the height channels and its visuals aren’t anything to sneeze at either.  It’s a simple story, albeit a well executed one.  It not only whets your appetite for what a sequel may look like in this universe, but also what John Krasinski might cook up next.  He definitely has Hollywood paying closer attention to him nowadays.  If you haven’t done so already, you should check out my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all HERE.

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#5

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN:

COMMEMORATIVE 20th ANNIVERSARY

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I’ve always been a big fan of the Spielberg – Hanks World War II action flick, Saving Private Ryan.  However, this Paramount title just didn’t scream out to me as a film I needed to own Day 1 on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format.  That all changed once the initial critical reviews of the 4K disc came out and the reviewers couldn’t contain their giddy excitement over how amazing the Dolby Atmos presentation was.  That’s all it took as I found myself wanting to know firsthand too.  Wow!  That opening sequence in storming the beach is graphic yes, but also an Atmos freak’s version of a wet dream.  I feel weird saying this, but war never sounded this good.  It’s quite a looker too.  Don’t take my word for it though, but instead check Brandon Peters’ 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all HERE.

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#4

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE –

6 MOVIE COLLECTION

Having revisited the Mission: Impossible franchise this summer on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format (our reviews in order HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and formerly my favorite one HERE) I was pumped to theatrically take in the latest one dubbed Fallout.  My giddy excitement for this sixth installment was further fueled by early reports of reviewer peers that hailed it as one of the best action films of all-time.  Well that’s up for the debate, but there’s one thing for sure.  Fallout is one of the biggest action flicks of the year and for me The Dark Knight of the franchise.  It really doesn’t get any better than this and that’s saying a lot.  You can read about it all here in my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review HERE.  Oh yeah!  The earlier films in this collection are remastered too here for this 4K 6-film collection (or sold individually).    This is one explosive 4K set and in my humble opinion a MUST-OWN addition in your home media collection.

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#3

THE MATRIX TRILOGY

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Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has gone and done it!  They officially hit the ball out of the proverbial ballpark by releasing one of the Holy Grail of sci-fi trilogies of theirs on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format, The Matrix Trilogy.  The 4K set features the Wachowski Brothers’ (Andy and Larry Wachowski) 1999 acclaimed sci-fi action classic The Matrix along with their two sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions (both from 2003).  Now they could have taken the easy route like Fox did with the Predator releases for example and stopped right there by not giving us a complete upgrade in the audio department.  But oh no!  They went above and beyond with both new video transfers and Dolby Atmos surround tracks to boot!   All three 4K Ultra HD presentations of the films are from a new scan of the original camera negative and is officially the first remaster of the films in nearly 15 years.  Now that’s what I call getting your money’s worth out of a double dip!  If you haven’t already, I think you should thoroughly check out my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all HERE.

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#2

2001: A Space Odyssey

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2001: A Space Odyssey is easily described as a space-opera spanning the dawn of man to humanity reaching the stars.  This Stanley Kubrick  film is often heralded as one of the most influential science-fiction masterpieces too.  If you don’t believe me watch Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, and then try this one on for size.  You’ll get my drift.  Because of its interpretational subject matter and bizarre presentation I’ve always just been a fair weather fan.  That’s why it surprised me when it literally knocked my socks off like your shoes would fly off in a car crash when I popped this in and experienced it for the very first time on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format.  It was like I finally found out how good Ketchup tastes on French fries or something.  The picture is in a world of its own, but that audio is the best non Atmos surround track I ever heard.  The score is absolutely piercing in a good way!  
This is by far the greatest restoration I’ve ever seen.  Unfortunately we didn’t receive our 4K review copy yet so if you’re curious about this one, check out Blu-ray.com’s review of it all over HERE.

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#1

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

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Simply put THIS IS THE “GREATEST” SHOW!  Out of all the aforementioned 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray titles this 4K disc got the greatest amounts of spin in my household.  Yes I selfishly saved my favorite film of the past decade for last, but rightfully so.  It’s my most watched 4K title of 2018.  It was harvested from a 4K DI, has an over-the-top Dolby Atmos surround track and many engaging song filled extras to keep you busy for hours.  Upon my first watch of this film on the 4K format I watched it back to back in all the different modes thrice.  I can’t say I ever did that before, but I did come close with both Lucy and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again 4K’s at two back-to-back viewings.  Lucy aside I think you can call me a sucker for musicals, but this one is so much more.  It’s an exhilarating rocket ride of rags to ruches and back and the colors, song and dance all make me wonder how incredible Moulin Rouge is going to look on the 4K format one fine day.  For these reasons and so many more The Greatest Showman is my most favorite 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray of 2018.  Check out my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review of it all right HERE.

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I encourage you all to ask any questions you may have regarding my selected 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray titles down below in the comments.  If you own an Ultra HD Blu-ray player (there are so many more choices available now than when I first entered the scene in June 2016), I hope you click on however many of the links above you feel is necessary and feed your personal collection today with both knowledge and of course 4K product.  Your support is very much appreciated and helps us keep this site running smooth and effectively.

To all my staff and readers across the globe here, thank you all for another blessed year full of some of the best 4K UHD and Blu-ray review coverage available on the World Wide Web.  In fact, we double dog dare you to take the Blu-ray challenge and compare some of the above Blu-ray reviews against our competitors.  I’m pretty sure you’ll come around to our way of thinking, but nevertheless, Happy Holidays!

DISCLAIMER: All of my 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray reviews are judged and graded using the following 4K certified Ultra HD Premium television set found here and player here.  Screenshots within reviews are NOT screen accurate.  Make sure to check out all our 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray reviews archived HERE and our official 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Facebook Page HERE.

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