4K Ultra HD – UK Edition – Disney – 136 min (The Ghost Threat) // 143 min (Chole attack) // 140 min (If only two episodes are available for the moment (follow one episode per week), this is enough to gauge the future of the quality of the series. If the 1st is clearly influenced by the western and the chabara, the 2nd pours into the most exciting cyberpunk through the Jedi hunt in the city of Daiyu, a den of bounty hunters, who will be forced to resume his old knight reflexes.) // 125 min (A New Hope) // 135 min (The Return of the Jedi) // 127 min (The Empire counterattack) // 136 min (The Force Awakening) // 152 min (The Last Jedi) // 142 min (Skywalker Ascension) – 20 April 2020
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 4K
• Standard HDR: HDR10
• Ratio: 2.39
Soundtrack
• English Dolby Atmos
• French (Parisian) Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Subtitles
• English
• French
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers as well as the viewing equipment specified and used by each tester of the MaG team, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence the rating. Moreover, the images in the article are not representative of the edition tested.
Contents
Prelogy - Age of the Republic
Star Wars, Episode I: Ghost Menace
Artistic note : 8.5 // Video quality : 6 // Audio quality : 10
Family intergalactic epiphany with fracasing action scenes, episode I will fight the Federation of Commerce in 4K Ultra HD.
And if the image suffers the same « defects » (a deliberate choice by George Lucas to better visually connect the three opus of the prelogy) than the previous Blu-ray (an excessive smoothing to remove the 35 mm silver texture and a heterogeneous definition) despite the modern contribution linked to the HDR (ragaillarded contrasts and brighter light sources) and to the WCG (a new calibration to the better saturated primary), it is indeed the soundtrack that illustrates on the battlefield once the volume increased by a few crans...
Especially the sample (the dynamic has under the elbow) and immersive 3D remixing (the race of podracers is an anthological auditory pleasure) that plunges us into the heart of the conflict with effects/ambitions that tingling from everywhere (height scene understood as during the displacements of space vessels) and impacts « haunted » by the Sith force (cf. the swords that clash during the final duel).
Star Wars, episode II: The Clone Attack
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 7 // Audio quality : 10
Space will operate overly romantic and spectacular audience that questions parliamentary democracy, episode II triggers in 4K Ultra HD the war that will decide the fate of the Galaxy.
Munies of a 100% digital image more homogenous than that of episode I and of sound tracks that are always as buzzing (the VF is still less extensive and detailed) once the decibels are pushed, the forces in presence manage to take over on the previous Blu-ray. Despite the softness of the pitch (due to the limitations of the cameras in HDCAM SR 1080p format) and the little perceptible gain in definition, the UHD transfer benefits from better contrasts, colours and lighting (a good thing for the integration of the countless CGIs).
As for the soundtrack, delivered in 3D on the side of the VO, the intensity of the dynamics, the increased envelope of spatialization (the continuation of the assassin on Coruscant and the stormy exterior on Kamino fully enjoy the height channels) and the impressive punch of the basses (the seismic charges of Slave I) are overwhelming.
Star Wars, Episode III: The Sith Revenge
Artistic note : 9 // Video quality : 9 // Audio quality : 9.5
Deeply tragic and barded from dramatic events, episode III ends in apotheosis the prelogy with the victory of the dark side of the Force where the descent to the underworld of young Anakin Skywalker, draped in a dark aesthetic majesty and rhythmized by the flight of lyrics, is amplified by the present 4K Ultra HD.
Even if the sound dynamics are less intense (this was already the case with the Blu-ray) than on the first two opus, the image (a little firmer details, greater colour depth, even more striking contrast ratio, brighter light sources) and the soundtrack (perfectly airy spatialization, effects/ambiences at all-va, intelligently applied vertical plane, vigorous bass) are at the height of the event.
The Trilogy - Age of Rebellion
Star Wars, episode IV: A New Hope
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 9 // Audio quality : 8
Long ago (in 1977), in a distant, distant galaxy, episode IV became a monumental global success in addition to marking an entire generation of spectators.
In 2020, more than 40 years after its release, this master work of the genre is brand new in 4K Ultra HD thanks to the powers of the Force (surpass of incredible definition, details found by thousands, more sober and realistic colorimetric palette, readjusted contrasts, sparkling light sources, more open spatialization and committed aerial channels).
And despite the fireworks (use « treated » DNR in order to channel the silver patina) to homogenize the image with the prelogy, and the low volume of recording of the soundtrack which remains no less dynamic as needed, this disc sprays the Blu-ray (the trafficty and ultra-heterogenic visual aspect is more than a bad memory) at the same time as the first Star of Death.
Star Wars, episode V: The Empire Counterattack
Artistic note : 9.5 // Video quality : 8 // Audio quality : 8.5
Space will operate with the solemn atmosphere and anthological action scenes (the Battle of Hoth) inhabited by the greatness of the Force, episode V takes us even higher into the stars in 4K Ultra HD.
Once again drawn from a new 4K/16-bit scan, however, the image appears to be less homogeneous than that of episode IV, the fault for a more random management of the 35 mm silver grain (less discreet use of DNR). Nevertheless, the definition (a much more pronounced level of detail), the colorimetric palette (the bluish drifts of the previous Blu-ray are no longer travel), the contrasts (more balanced) and the light sources (the stars are brighter than ever) made a huge leap forward... in hyperspace.
And if the sound has to be a little pushed to immerse itself properly in the heart of the War, the new 3D mixing that flows under a multitude of effects and/or ambiances (the pursuit in the asteroid field and the noises of the marsh on Dagobah fully exploit the height scene) is restored with as much aplomb (dynamics sufficiently bold and low deceitly vigorous) as with finesse.
Star Wars, Episode VI: The Return of Jedi
Artistic note : 8.5 // Video quality : 8 // Audio quality : 8.5
The outcome of the trilogy at the height of the immense saga created by George Lucas, episode VI looks and sounds better than ever in 4K Ultra HD even if the dark side of the Force remains offensive (silver structure) « muzzled » and recording volume a little low).
Drawn from a recent 4K scan, however, the image takes precedence over its HD counterpart (significant deviation from the definition, discovery of a multitude of details, flamboyance of light sources) by trusting its instincts (cf. the purity of contrasts and the sobriety recovered from colors).
And maximising at best its new height scene (as with the roaring of the Rancor and the ships), the soundtrack is clearly more enveloping than in the past (a carefully studied spatialization) while maintaining the dynamics and basses that grow well (speeder bike pursuit is a very good example).
Postology - Age of Resistance
Star Wars, Episode VII: The Force Awakening
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 9 // Audio quality : 9
The Force is indeed back in this five-star space opera that respects the codes and spirit of the Trilogy while at the same time lends itself to a visual modernism (not denying little silver) that fits better with the 4K Ultra HD.
Made from film turning (35 mm and IMAX 65 mm during the continuation of the Millenium Falcon on the planet Jakku), this UHD HDR10 transfer filled with details (increased sharpness) delivers a more faithfully carried grain, rutilising colors (more saturated), sumptuous contrasts where blacks are more legible (see the final duel in the forest) and brighter, more glittered light sources (explosions) to the otherwise more marked shine (the laser swords, the interior lights of the Starkiller base, the lens flare).
Between muscle and finesse, this mix slightly less impacting than expected (you should not hesitate to increase the volume to take full advantage of it) nevertheless abounds with effects/ambiences perfectly located at the front/rear, diffuses a score bewitching and loosening robust basses well controlled (the « interrogations » Kylo Ren). With a significant addition of verticality (from debris falls, Poe's X-wing on Takodana), the VO Atmos is best placed on the very correct VF Dolby Digital Plus 7.1.
Star Wars, episode VIII: The Last Jedi
Artistic note : 9 // Video quality : 9 // Audio quality : 8.5
Visually magnificent and scripturally dense, this ambitious episode VIII renews the myth by freeing from the heavy legacy put in place by George Lucas 40 years ago. The bet was daring but the result is amazing... Especially in 4K Ultra HD!
Of all beauty without « type » in perfection, « fault » to the (very beautiful) photograph that will be able to destabilize by certain aesthetic choices (a deeply silveric rendering with little marked contrasts), these solidly encoded images are so much more detailed (the landscapes, the faces of the actors), densely coloured (the red walls of the throne room of the Supreme Leader Snoke) and fervently illuminated (the ardour of missile fire, the brightness of the luminous lights of the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, the brightness of the laser sabres, the intensity of the sunrises/layers on Ahch-To), that those of the Blu-ray are fads at the side.
Less affected by forced re-equalization of one's sister (the syndrome « Dolby Atmouse »), the tight acoustic space and the loss of harmful information of the deserving VF allow the 3D VO to take advantage. The effects/ambiences are on all sides (the inaugural space battle, Fathiers' runaway, confrontation against the Pretorian Guard, the attack on Crait), the air scene brings much to the felt immersion (the passages of the Tie Fighters, the space conflicts, the call of the dark marine cavern) and John Williams' symphonic score spreads with as much presence as balance.
Star Wars, Episode IX: Skywalker Ascension
Artistic note : 8 // Video quality : 9.5 // Audio quality : 9
The Skywalker saga ends with this episode IX, the end of a moving and spectacular cycle begun by George Lucas in 1977, where the Force shows increased power in 4K Ultra HD. Ready to touch the stars?
The Blu-ray is more flat (in all fields) than its UHD counterpart, which draws the image and sound up.
Silver photography benefits from a perceptible increase in details, deeper colours, enriched contrasts and more vibrant light sources, where the soundtrack (once the volume increased by 4 dB), to just remarkable spatialization (even more so with the 3D mixing of the VO), suffers from no signs of dynamic compression (especially in VF) or weakened bass.
« A highly recommended edition for fans who can acquire it with their eyes closed. Trust the Force, it will guide you! »
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