Cars 4K Blu-ray delivers stunningly beautiful video and great audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
A high-octane adventure comedy that shows life is about the journey, not the finish line. Hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen is living life in the fast lane until he hits a detour on his way to the most important race of his life. Stranded in Radiator Springs, a forgotten town on the old Route 66, he meets Sally, Mater, Doc Hudson, and a variety of quirky characters who help him discover that there’s more to life than trophies and fame. Cars is full of freewheeling fun for everyone.
For more about Cars 4K and the Cars 4K Blu-ray release, see Cars 4K Blu-ray Review published by Martin Liebman on September 15, 2019 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
Disney has released 2006's celebrated Pixar franchise-starter 'Cars' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and a Dolby
Atmos soundtrack. The UHD disc includes no new supplements, but the bundled Blu-ray contains a number of extras, though not an identical
collection when compared to either of the two versions Blu-ray.com has reviewed in the past: the 2007 disc and the 3-D release.
For a few brief thoughts on the film penned by two retired Blu-ray.com reviewers, please click here and here.
The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.
Cars looks great on the UHD format, and most all of its excellence can be attributed to the HDR color spectrum. The 2160p resolution does
little to bring out greatly added detail, sharper textures, or more clarity overall. The image is mostly a lateral move from the Blu-ray in that latter
arena,
offering modest upticks in the textural presentation that firm up some of the more coarse and obvious elements like the pavement at race tracks, tire
treads, or Mater's rusty body, but
don't expect to find significantly added textural prowess on things like car scuffs, structures around Radiator Springs, or the various stickers applied to
the racers. The image finds slightly elevated clarity in total but the resolution alone does not bring about a transformative experience.
On the other hand, the HDR color spectrum is a boon for the image. Take a look at the film's title card, which is "Cars" painted onto a race track. The
add to color depth is striking. Not only is the red far deeper and punchier but the surrounding gray pavement enjoys a significant boost to its scale,
too.
The cars look lovely under the bright racing lights. The sheen is spectacular, the colors pop with amazing authority, and various overlaid graphics seen
during the TV broadcast segments dazzle. The first race is nothing short of a visual treat, with all of those luscious colors -- reds, greens, blues, yellows
-- enjoying some serious brilliance that make the Blu-ray's SDR colors appear washed out and dull in comparison. The image dazzles along the way to
Radiator Springs, such as when several cars with neon accents cause some mayhem that results in McQueen being jettisoned from his trailer, "Mack,"
and eventually winding up in the dusty has-been town of Radiator Springs. Building façades and the earthy terrain around town find a new gear for
color depth and
accuracy while the various new cars McQueen meets, including the rusted and worn Mater, are all HDR highlights for their own peculiarities and place
on the color wheel. Whites dazzle and blacks are superbly deep. While the increase in resolution does little for the presentation, the HDR colors allow
the movie to leap to another level. This is a very worthwhile upgrade, even if the majority of the upgrade falls into a single category.
Cars revs up on UHD with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The track plays well at high volume, and as usual it's necessary to raise the volume to
enjoy the track to its fullest extent. It's not audibly lacking at high volume in any given area. Surround use is never wanting. Racing segments come to
life with incredible bursts of speed as cars zip and zoom from one corner of the stage to the next with hugely impressive throaty throttle that positively,
seamlessly, and energetically pulls the listener into the front row or, even better in many cases, into the cockpit to fully experience the chaotic sounds
of racing around the track, which include not just the guttural engine noises but crowd din, radio chatter, and wrecks on the track. There's also plenty
of throaty low end elements in play during a number of scenes off the track as well where no opportunity to engage with full vitality, surround
extension, and low end weight is missed. Music is exceptionally large and delivers crisp, accurate beats across a number of different sources, from
score to a range of popular songs. Environmental din in less hectic locales, particularly around Radiator Springs, is a joy of balance and immersion.
Dialogue is clear and center focused. It is well prioritized even in the midst of high energy and otherwise busy racing scenes, even considering radio
chatter that is naturally muffled. This is a very enjoyable listen and a great compliment to the shiny new HDR-enhanced visuals.
Cars' UHD disc contains no supplemental content, but the bundled Blu-ray offers a nice assortment of extra goodies. Below is an outline of
what's included. These supplements do not appear to be entirely the same as those found in either the original 2007 Blu-ray or the 3-D bundle that released in 2013. I can verify that the disc is not the same as the
original release but I did not review, nor do I have access to, the 3-D disc. There have been several other releases of Cars through the years
but I do not know if this disc is identical to any of those. This release does ship with an embossed slipcover and a Movies Anywhere digital copy code.
Cars is one of Pixar's finest efforts. It's exciting, heartwarming, colorful, and competently constructed. It's a full package motion picture
experience that remains a terrific watch. Disney's UHD delivers a very good picture bolstered by the excellent HDR color application. The Atmos
soundtrack
is big and enjoyable and there's a good collection of extra content on offer, too. Highly recommended.
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