Scrooged

Paramount's release of "Scrooged" on 4K UHD Blu-Ray sets a high benchmark for catalog titles upgraded to the format. The film's original 35mm footage, captured with Panavision Panaflex Gold cameras and Primo lenses, is presented in a crisp 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD rendition. The transfer showcases a commendable filmic integrity with a natural and consistent grain structure that enhances rather than detracts, ensuring a pristine, sharp image that faithfully represents the original celluloid's textures and details. Skin textures, particularly Bill Murray's expressive features, along with fabric details and the nuanced environments of high-end office spaces and the atmospheric streets of New York, are rendered with exceptional clarity.

The Dolby Vision color grading does wonders for the film's natural color palette, enhancing without over-saturating, maintaining accurate skin tones, and providing a subtle yet effective contrast that brings out the fine details in darker scenes without falling prey to crushed blacks, save for a few negligible instances. Paramount's HDR treatment (with HDR10 and Dolby Vision options) enriches the visual experience, highlighting the meticulous set design and costume details against the backdrop of festive lights and shadows throughout the film. This attention to detail extends to the balanced white levels and impressive black depth that contribute to a visually stunning yet faithfully restored picture.

Despite not being a paradigm shift over the Blu-ray version in terms of sheer visual fidelity, the 4K UHD presentation of "Scrooged" represents a significant improvement in clarity, texture, and color accuracy. The film's grain is preserved in a lovingly cinematic way, ensuring no detail is lost to compression or undue digital manipulation. The bitrate, although could potentially be higher, does not detract from an overall outstanding viewing experience. Paramount has indeed delivered a marvelously upgraded version that will satisfy videophiles and fans alike, bringing this classic holiday film into the modern era without sacrificing its original charm and character.

The Scrooged 4K UHD Blu-Ray offers a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless audio soundtrack that impressively balances the film's varied audio demands, despite some viewers' reservations about not having the original Dolby Stereo option. The mix provides a detailed and engaging soundscape, ensuring musical scores, ambient sounds, and dialogue occupy their distinct spaces without stepping on each other. Notably, Danny Elfman's haunting score encapsulates the film's mood perfectly and receives ample room to breathe across the channels. Despite the absence of an Atmos remix, this track adeptly fills the auditory space, creating an immersive experience with well-defined separation and dynamic sound staging that brings the film's environments to life.

However, while the track excels in most areas, certain critiques have been noted regarding its bass response, which some have found to be muddy and less precise than desired. Yet, the soundtrack redeems itself with its effective use of surrounds to create an enveloping atmosphere, particularly in scenes featuring ghostly apparitions and bustling cityscapes, showcasing the soundtrack’s capacity to deliver directional effects convincingly and organically. Dialogue remains crisp and anchored in the center channel throughout, ensuring clarity amid the broader audio experience.

Furthermore, accompanying audio options and subtitles cater to a wide audience with multiple language selections. Although some purists may long for an augmented track, the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio provides a rich listening experience that faithfully serves the film's spirited narrative and tonal complexities. The technical execution in managing the balance between impactful sound moments and quieter, dialogue-driven scenes demonstrates a skilled mix, offering a pleasing auditory journey for viewers.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Scrooged" enhances the viewing experience with a curated collection of extras that delve deeper into the film's production and legacy. Paramount's decision to finally include supplements initially prepared for a never-realized special edition DVD imbues this release with a sense of completeness and exclusivity, especially noticeable in the high-quality upscaled bonus materials. The audio commentary by Director Richard Donner, albeit solo, stands out for its blend of humor, insights, and occasional reflections on working with Bill Murray, despite some moments of silence. The array of behind-the-scenes content, from the making of key scenes to exploring the modernized take on the classic tale, alongside delightful on-set antics with Murray and informative ShoWest clips, enriches the appreciation of this festive favorite. However, it's worth noting that while these features feel novel, they are technically archival, having been seen in one form or another prior to this release, a fact that may temper expectations for brand-new content but doesn't detract from their value in understanding and enjoying "Scrooged."

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Director Richard Donner provides insightful and entertaining commentary.
• A Christmas to Remember: A detailed look at the film’s production history.
• Updating Ebenezer: Insights into modernizing the classic story.
• Bringing the Ghosts to Life: Focuses on the portrayal of the film’s ghosts.
• The Look of Scrooged: Examines the film’s production design and aesthetic choices.
• On the Set with Bill Murray: Contains scenes like Brother’s Apartment and Frisbee the Dog.
• Showest Clips with Bill Murray: Features The Best Money Can Buy and Now Everybody Get Up!

Paramount's release of the 1988 cult classic "Scrooged" on 4K UHD Blu-ray marks a significant upgrade in its visual and auditory presentation, spotlighting Richard Donner's unique take on the Dickensian tale. Featuring a 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer, the depth and clarity of the movie’s visuals receive a substantial boost, breathing new life into the dark, comedic reimagining of "A Christmas Carol." While the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack remains unchanged from its 2011 debut, it perfectly complements the enhanced visual fidelity, ensuring the film's eclectic mix of humor, cynicism, and holiday spirit resonates more vividly than ever. Furthermore, this release is enriched with new extras, including a highly anticipated audio commentary by the late Richard Donner, providing deeper insight into the filmmaking process.

Bill Murray's performance as Frank Cross, a cynical and selfish TV executive, is as compelling as it is fitting for the role, embodying the essence of 1980s corporate greed juxtaposed against the timeless message of Charles Dickens' original story. Murray's character arc, from a man consumed by ratings and success to someone capable of genuine empathy, is punctuated by moments of dark humor and surreal encounters with three ghosts. These elements combine to critique contemporary society while maintaining a balance between comedy and a message of redemption. The supporting cast, notably Alfre Woodard as Grace and Bobcat Goldthwait as Loudermilk, adds to the film's charm and underscores its satirical edge.

"Scrooged" stands out for its bold tonal shifts, from bleak commentary to heartfelt realization, encapsulated brilliantly in this UHD presentation. The movie navigates its darkly comic narrative with an adeptness that keeps it relevant and entertaining decades after its release. As a holiday film that dares to venture into edgier territory, "Scrooged" manages to both challenge and satisfy, making this 4K UHD Blu-ray a desirable addition for collectors and fans alike seeking a resonant blend of humor, scorn, and yuletide sentimentality.

"Scrooged," a unique blend of contemporary wit and timeless narrative, brings a fresh face to the classic "A Christmas Carol" saga. From its divergent first act, which initially sets it apart from traditional retellings, the film finds its stride in the familiar territory of redemption and transformation through the intervention of spectral visitors. Its predictability in plot belies an unpredictability in style, making it a linear yet visually and thematically engaging experience. Paramount's 4K UHD release significantly enhances this engaging mix with a superb 2160p/Dolby Vision presentation that breathes new life into the film's visuals. Complementing this is a 5.1 lossless audio track, providing an auditory experience as top-notch as the movie it accompanies, despite not introducing a new audio mix. Notably, the addition of sought-after bonus materials addresses a previous shortfall, rounding out a highly recommended package for the holiday season.

Paramount has unexpectedly expedited "Scrooged" into the 4K UHD landscape, much to the delight of cinephiles. This release, augmenting the film's dark humor with crystal-clear visuals and resonant sounds, projects Bill Murray's comedic genius and Richard Donner's edgy direction into the limelight once more. With its profound audio-visual enhancement and the inclusion of valuable archival extras, this edition serves both as an indispensable upgrade for longtime fans and a compelling acquisition for newcomers to this modern holiday classic.

In conclusion, "Scrooged" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands out as an essential addition to any holiday movie collection. It impeccably marries high-quality technical upgrades with the film's unique blend of humor and heart. Whether you're revisiting this unconventional take on Dickens' story or experiencing its dark holiday magic for the first time, this release promises and delivers a viewing experience that is both quintessentially Christmas and decidedly contemporary. The combination of exceptional visual treatment, solid audio quality, and previously missing special features makes this version of "Scrooged" very highly recommended for securing your festive spirit—with a twist.