Why So Blu?

Point Break – Collector’s Edition (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

If a major studio isn’t going to put out notable films of one of our best mainstream blockbuster female directors on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray, then have at it boutique labels. Shout Studios, under their Shout Select banner with be putting out Kathryn Bigelow’s iconic actioner Point Break on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray on December 5th (I guess with Silver Bullet, its kind of a Gary Busey day). Aside from the new transfer, there are no real new extras. Though, getting this one on a pristine format is swell enough. You can order yourself a copy by using the paid Amazon Associates link from the bottom of the page after the review.

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Film

Hang ten and hang tough, Johnny. Rookie FBI agent Johnny Utah is learning to ride the waves. His mission: infiltrate a group of extreme surfers who may be the bank robbers known as the Ex-Presidents, and whose MO includes wearing masks of former White House denizens. Keanu

A while back I participated in an audio commentary for Point Break on Out Now with Aaron & Abe with guests Scott Mendelson and Peter Paras. You can hear my thoughts and some wonderful discussion here:

Video

Disclaimer: Screen captures used in the review are from promotional images supplied by the studio, not the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc.

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Layers: BD-66

Clarity/Detail: Point Break features a new master and restoration from a 2023 4K scan of the interpositive in Dolby Vision. Overall, this looks very good, but there is a bounce back between some very impressive scenes and some that underwhelm. A lot of the smoky office or dark interior sequences can struggle and facial details look smeary or too warm. But when the film is outside and bright, it looks very lovely with color, depth and strong, fine details. I have the score at a 4, but its a little bit over that but not quite to half.

Depth: Depth of field is pretty strong in the exteriors, with good scale and spacing. Many of the office scenes do have good pushback. Movement is smooth and natural with no issues of distorted motion.

Black Levels: Blacks are natural and very deep. Sometimes a bit too consuming and (maybe because the transfer is coming from an interpositive) details are lost. No crushing witnessed however.

Color Reproduction: Colors are pretty washed here and natural with a slant on blue. Its by design as this is a very stylized film. HDR comes in handy with fires, lights and display screens glowing.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones are natural in well lit, less smoky sequences, but can come across as a bit too warm in some of the darker or smokier office moments. Facial details and textures can range from clear as day to a little lacking depending on the lighting or aesthetic in a given shot.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean

Audio

Audio Format(s): English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English 2.0 Stereo DTS-HD MA

Subtitles: English SDH

Dynamics: Point Break retains it 5.1 track and Shout adds back a stereo one. This is a fine, effect track that likes to get loud with the sound effects and maybe could hit just a hair harder in moments. Some of the more natural stuff is a bit too low in this mix compared to the vocals and music, however, it still works.

Height: N/A

Low Frequency Extension: Gunshots, crashes, explosions, waves and more really feels a decent rumble and bump from the subwoofer.

Surround Sound Presentation: The room fills with some solid ambiance and the stays a little front heavy. Sometimes it feels like a good concert with everything in tandem.

Dialogue Reproduction: Vocals are crisp and clear.

Extras

Point Break – Collector’s Edition is a 2-Disc set including the standard Blu-ray edition. Aside from the audio-based extras, all bonus material are found on the standard Blu-ray disc.

Additional Scenes (HD, 4:35)

“Adrenaline Junkies” Featurette (HD, 6:01)

“It’s Make Or Break” Featurette (HD, 23:03)

“On Location: Malibu” Featurette (HD, 8:32)

“Ride The Wave” Featurette (HD, 6:08)

Theatrical Trailers (HD, 4:14)

Still Gallery (HD, 2:17)

Summary

Point Break is a movie that is insanely quotable, fun and impressive. This new edition updates the video transfer which looks pretty darn good for the most part but feels like there is indeed room for improvement, should a transfer from an original be an option some day. It retains the same audio and restores extras as had been before on the DVD and didn’t make it to the Blu-ray. Fans will want to upgrade, but maybe wait for a price that better suits them before buying.

This is a paid Amazon Associates link