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Starman (4K UHD Blu-ray Steelbook Review)

John Carpenter’s Starman has always stood out — a sci-fi romance with a big heart and a quietly brilliant performance from Jeff Bridges. Now, the film makes its debut in stunning native 4K as part of an exclusive SteelBook release that promises to win over longtime fans and curious newcomers alike. With a Dolby Vision presentation, an impressive Atmos upgrade, and a solid suite of extras, the Starman 4K UHD Blu-ray is more than just a pretty package. But does this Steelbook edition truly do justice to one of Carpenter’s most unexpectedly emotional films? Let’s take a look.

Film

Starman might be the most heartfelt movie John Carpenter ever made. Known for horror and suspense, Carpenter flips the script here and gives us something tender, human, and deeply romantic. Jeff Bridges plays an alien who mimics a woman’s late husband, and together they go on a cross-country journey filled with tension, humor, and unexpected intimacy. Karen Allen is the emotional anchor, matching Bridges’ otherworldly performance with grounded vulnerability.

What makes Starman so memorable is how it balances its sci-fi premise with genuine emotional stakes. The film takes time to explore the alien’s learning curve — not just with language and human customs, but with feelings and empathy. Carpenter lets these moments breathe, creating space for character development instead of rushing toward action beats. It’s almost meditative in places, but never boring.

Jeff Bridges’ performance is the key here. He earned an Oscar nomination for good reason—his portrayal is physically quirky, emotionally rich, and incredibly layered. The chemistry with Allen is real and evolves beautifully over the course of the film. Whether it’s a roadside diner scene or a moment of quiet wonder under the stars, their dynamic gives Starman its soul.

Tonally, the film walks a tightrope. It has elements of government paranoia, light comedy, and romance, all woven together with Carpenter’s minimalist style. Jack Nitzsche’s ethereal score adds to the atmosphere, creating a melancholy yet hopeful vibe. Starman may not scream “Carpenter” in the usual sense, but it proves his range. It’s one of the best love stories in the guise of science fiction, and the Starman 4K UHD Blu-ray finally gives it the technical polish it deserves.

Video

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Region:  Free

HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Layers: BD-100 (Triple Layer)

Clarity and Detail: The 4K restoration from the original 35mm negative brings out remarkable detail, from the textures of clothing to the nuances of facial expressions. The film grain is preserved, maintaining the cinematic feel while enhancing overall sharpness.

Depth: Deep and consistent black levels provide excellent contrast, especially in nighttime scenes, adding depth without losing detail in shadows.

Black Levels: The enhanced resolution and HDR grading contribute to a notable sense of depth, making landscapes and interiors feel more immersive.

Color: Colors are rendered with natural warmth, and the HDR treatment enriches the palette without oversaturation, preserving the film’s original aesthetic.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones appear natural and consistent, reflecting the characters’ emotions authentically.

Noise and Artifacts: The transfer is clean, with no noticeable compression artifacts or digital noise, ensuring a smooth viewing experience.

Audio

Audio Format(s):  English Dolby Atmos, English DTS-HD MA 5.1, English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, German DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Italian DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0

Subtitles: English SDH, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Korean, Mandarin (Simplified), Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish

Dynamics: The Dolby Atmos track offers a dynamic range that enhances both subtle moments and action sequences, providing an engaging auditory experience.

Height: The Atmos mix utilizes height channels effectively, adding a vertical dimension to environmental sounds and effects.

Low Frequency Extension: Bass is well-balanced, delivering impact during intense scenes without overpowering the overall mix.

Surround Sound: Surround channels are used to create an immersive soundscape, with directional effects that enhance the storytelling.

Dialogue: Dialogue is clear and well-prioritized, ensuring that character interactions remain intelligible throughout the film.

Extras

The Starman 4K UHD Blu-ray comes with a generous set of extras, mostly carried over from previous releases. You get an insightful and hilarious audio commentary with Carpenter and Bridges (on the included Blu-ray disc), a healthy batch of deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, a retrospective featurette with cast and crew, and even a vintage music video. The only omission is the Starman: The Complete Series, which was included in the Columbia Classics Collection but is not part of this standalone release. Still, for most fans, this disc delivers everything you’d want from a collector’s edition. You also get a digital copy, and the major selling point, a nifty new steelbook!

• Audio Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Behind-the-Scenes Time Lapses
• They Came From Hollywood!
• Making-Of Featurette
• Music Video
• Stills Gallery
• Theatrical Trailer
• Digital Copy 4K
• Steelbook

Summary

Starman remains a standout in John Carpenter’s filmography — an unexpectedly warm, soulful detour from his darker genre work. The Starman 4K UHD Blu-ray gives this beloved film the premium treatment it’s long deserved, with a stunning native 4K transfer, an immersive Dolby Atmos track, and a solid package of special features that fans will appreciate. While the omission of the TV series might irk completists, this release more than makes up for it in sheer quality. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, the Starman 4K UHD Blu-ray is essential viewing and a highlight in any sci-fi or Carpenter collection. If you’d like to know how our other 4K UHD Blu-rays stack up, read them HERE!

 

John Carpenter’s Starman is released on 4K UHD Steelbook May 27, 2025!

PRE-ORDER NOW!

 

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