Flashdance (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review)

Flashdance (40^th Anniversary) [4K Ultra HD]

Director: Adrian Lyne

Cast: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Belinda Bauer

Release Date: April 11, 2023

A Review By: Kevin Lovell

Disc Rating: 7.5/10

Synopsis:

Jennifer Beals stars as Alex—a fiercely determined 18-year-old with one all-consuming dream to study at the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Dance. Working during the day as a welder and at night as an exotic dancer, she bravely pursues her dream and undertakes an unforgettable journey that reveals the power of her convictions.

Please Note: Paramount Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray I reviewed in this Post. The opinions I share are my own.

The 1980’s pop culture cult classic ‘Flashdance’ follows talented dancer and dreamer Alex who works by day as a welder and dances by night, with her one true dream to study at a prestigious dance academy. But Alex’s life becomes slightly more complicated when she begins falling for her boss and is forced to reevaluate her priorities; or at least those behind her one all-encompassing goal. Directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Belinda Bauer, Lilia Skala and more, ‘Flashdance’ still serves up a flashy, engaging and incredibly ‘80s good time with an undeniably catchy and foot-tapping soundtrack, much of which still hold up rather impressively today, forty years after it debuted in theaters.

For more a slightly more detailed writing on my feelings about ‘Flashdance’ and the 2020 Paramount Presents Blu-ray release (which is also identical to the Blu-ray disc included in this new 4K UHD combo pack release), please additionally check out my review of that Blu-ray release Right Here!

In celebration of the film’s 40^th Anniversary, Paramount Home Entertainment brings the 1983 classic ‘Flashdance’ home on 4K Ultra HD for the first time ever. The new 4K UHD release sports an altogether nice, fairly impressive and source faithful new Ultra High-Definition video presentation of the film with Dolby Vision and HDR-10 that should have dedicated fans of the film quite excited. The solid new 4K presentation is capably complemented by a multichannel DTS-HD MA soundtrack that appears to be identical to the soundtrack featured on the Paramount Presents Blu-ray release (which is the version of the Blu-ray disc included in this new combo pack as well) but is certainly no disappointment and still holds up well.

The release also features a few previously released extras which can all be found on the included Blu-ray, although no new supplements are featured this time around. Fortunately, even without any new extras or a new soundtrack (not that it really needed one), this 4K presentation will still be something many diehard fans of the film who are fully 4K capable probably won’t want to pass up and the release is indeed a worthwhile upgrade and recommended, especially if you can find it at the right price.

VIDEO:

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of ‘Flashdance’ features a full 2160p Ultra High-Definition presentation with Dolby Vision and HDR-10, presented in a 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio. The video presentation looks great as a whole and offers a clean, smooth and source faithful presentation from start to finish that never falls victim to any unexpected issues along the way. It provides a noticeable improvement from the quite stellar new Blu-ray presentation that was released in 2020 in almost every area throughout. Facial specifics and character clothing, along with public streets, clubs and the steel mill all showcase enhanced detail, depth and clarity and even more pinpoint precision on background details and other more minor tidbits; while also retaining a notable grain profile that delivers a rewardingly filmic presentation that stays true to the film’s source material. The Dolby Vision HDR addition also contributes a nice boost courtesy of a solid color palette and vivid brights, beautifully complemented by deep, satisfying black levels. Overall, this is a genuinely nice new Ultra High-Definition video presentation that should easily please most fans who would like to upgrade the film to 4K in their collection.

AUDIO:

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release features a 5.1 channel DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. This multichannel soundtrack appears to be identical to the soundtrack that was included in the Paramount Presents 2020 Blu-ray release, but that’s certainly not any reason for concern. The soundtrack holds up without any issues whatsoever and does a great job of keeping all the dialogue sounding clean, crisp, and fully audible every step of the way, even while utilizing all five available channels to send the film’s iconic soundtrack, along with some minor work effects, bits of crowd chatter and other fitting elements throughout the various speakers quite frequently. Overall, this is a solid 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack that sounds good from start to finish and should not elicit any complaints from those that haven’t already heard it on the previous Blu-ray release.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of ‘Flashdance’ includes a few extras that can all be found on the release’s included Blu-ray disc. The Blu-ray disc included within is identical to the ‘Paramount Presents’ Blu-ray released in 2020 (once again, you can also read my review of that release HERE) and includes the Featurettes ‘Filmmaker Focus: Director Adrian Lyne Discusses Flashdance’ (running approximately 6 minutes in length), ‘The Look of Flashdance’ (running approximately 9 minutes) and ‘Releasing the Flashdance Phenomenon’ (approximately 9 minutes). The film’s ‘Theatrical Trailer’ (approximately 2 minutes) is also included.