Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith 4K Ultra HD Bluray

Video Quality

The digitally photographed Revenge of the Sith dazzles on UHD. The digital construction shows maturity over Attack of the Clones and the film shines with the added resolution and HDR color output. Look at a lightsaber duel in chapter five, Obi-Wan and Anakin versus Count Dooku. The lightsabers glow with perhaps the most impressive HDR intensity seen anywhere not just in the Star Wars galaxy but across the entire UHD universe-at-large. Likewise, the green readouts and accent lights seen aboard Grievous' ship's bridge in the following minutes are spectacular. The sun over Coruscant seen in a couple of shots from space and on the planet's surface brightly illuminates the screen with searing intensity. The white, bright interior of the Blockade Runner is a standout in chapter 33 for intensity and clarity while the hellish reds on Mustafar offer bold, terrifying intensity. Black levels are excellent, particularly in some of the key low light and shadowy scenes where Anakin is most deeply challenged at his core, his soul torn between the Jedi and the Dark Side. Add in laser blasts, explosions, and all sorts of other practical and digital elements, like Yoda and Clone Troopers, and there's no shortage of HDR excellence to be found.

The 2160p resolution ensures a firm, highly detailed image as well. Facial close-ups are excellent, easily the most complex and accurate in any of the three prequel films, besting even Attack of the Clones which looks good be never can quite kick into 4K hyperdrive. Here, there's intimacy and clarity aplenty, well beyond the Blu-ray's abilities. Droid close-ups are rewarding for grand texture and even digital Clone Troopers and other characters -- like Grievous and his lizard-like eyes seen in one close-up -- show fantastic attention to detail. There remains a certain air of artificiality to some of the visual effects shots, but this is a much more visually polished and fruitful experience than Attack of the Clones. Overall it's the best looking Star Wars UHD amongst the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy.

Credit: blu-ray.com

Audio Quality

Unlike The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith's Dolby Atmos soundtrack only requires a small upward volume adjustment. It's fairly stout at reference but just a little more push -- maybe half of that compared to the other two prequel films -- results in another sonic extravaganza. The opening space battle is a treat, delivering an endless string of laser blasts, quickly maneuvering light craft, and rumbling cruisers. It's a chaotic maelstrom of activity that includes plenty of overhead engagement, some discrete, most simply filling up space for a more rewarding stage envelopment. Action scenes throughout deliver striking immersion and depth. Lightsabers swirl and clash with that trademark whooshing effect, complete with a hefty low end support to give them appropriate weight. Battles on Kashyyyk, Utapau, and Mustafar rage with all of the involvement and immersion one could want, with distinct Star Wars sounds swirling and encircling the stage to joyful fulfillment. Certainly atmosphere is impressive, too, in those quieter moments of reflection -- an intimate scene at a performance art routine when Palpatine tightens the screws on Anakin, for example, or wind blowing through Palpatine's now-windowless office in chapter 28 -- when listeners will enjoy perfectly defined subtleties that elevate sets into living, breathing environments. Add perfectly focused, detailed, and prioritized dialogue, and this track delivers the goods in every way.

4K Bluray details