by Frank Kemp, Contributing Writer
If you told me 10 years ago I would be reviewing a Criterion 4K Blu-ray starring Adam Sandler, I would have had two reactions: One, what’s a 4K Blu-ray? And two, I would be happy that Bulletproof was finally getting the recognition it deserves. Unfortunately, Bulletproof still has to wait, but here I am with Uncut Gems and I am all for it. Uncut Gems is a movie I fell in love with the moment I got the DVD Screener. When it came to the physical home release, I was greatly disappointed that A24 was skipping a physical 4K release. Stateside, the film had a standard theatrical release. Elsewhere else in the world, it premiered on Netflix streaming with HDR, eventually making its way on Netflix in the USA as well. I am very happy Criterion came in with a 4K remaster on UHD and Blu-Ray.
The film: 10/10
With his debts mounting and angry collectors closing in, a fast-talking New York City jeweler (Sandler) risks everything in hope of staying afloat and alive. The film is directed by the Safdie brothers, who also directed Good Time, which I highly recommend.
The picture: 10/10
This 4K transfer, supervised by the film’s directors complete with Dolby Vision, proves that 4K UHD Blu-Ray is an archival format. It keeps every pixel looking perfect. The black light scene alone shows the wide range this release can push the format. With the deepest levels of black I have ever seen in a film and the glow of the lights with the contrast of Demany’s orange hoodie, this scene is PURE demo material.
The audio: 10/10
You know how I just said the black light scene was demo material for the video? Well, the scene also doubles as a great scene to show off you home Atmos system. If you close your eyes during the scene, open your ears up and you’ll be able to feel yourself being at the nightclub, from the crowd on the overhead speakers to listening to the Weekend sing in the club environment. The rest of the film booms through the speakers as the score really ups the tension on the film, keeping your heart pumping. No matter how many times I watch this movie with the sound cranked up, my body will always react the same way it did during the first viewing.
The bonus features: 8/10
No Criterion release would be complete without new bonus features. The standard Blu-ray release was very much lacking in that department with the only special feature being a 30 minute behind the scenes feature, which found its way on this release as well. We finally have a commentary track with the Safdie brothers, editor Ronald Bronstein, and producer Sebastian Bear-McClard. The commentary was recorded back in 2019, but was NOT on the original blu-ray, so I am not very familiar with its origin. I knew it existed on reddit threads for a while off of a random Google drive. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The highlight of the special features for me was the inclusion of the short film Question & Answer, shot to play along in theaters at a special screening of the film. It makes me wish I could have made it to one of those.
Final thoughts:
This collection is a must-own for any Uncut Gems fan, as you will not be disappointed, and you will learn a lot more. This is the first time in a long time I’ve taken a deep dive into special features on a Blu-ray, and as always, Criterion knocked it out of the park.
Full list of special features:
- 4K digital transfer, approved by writer-directors Josh and Benny Safdie, with Dolby Atmos soundtrack on the 4K UHD and Blu-ray editions
- In the 4K UHD edition: one 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Audio commentary from 2019 featuring the Safdies, writer and editor Ronald Bronstein, and producer Sebastian Bear-McClard
- New interviews with cinematographer Darius Khondji, costume designer Miyako Bellizzi, production designer Sam Lisenco, and casting director Jennifer Venditti
- Documentaries from 2019 and 2020 on the making of the film and soundtrack
- Screen test featuring actors Adam Sandler and Julia Fox
- Goldman v Silverman, a 2020 short film by the Safdies, featuring Sandler and Benny Safdie
- Question & Answer, a 2020 short film featuring the Safdies, Sandler, actor Jason Bateman, and comedy writer Megan Amram
- Audition tapes
- Deleted and extended scenes, including a full performance of “The Morning” by The Weeknd
- Trailers
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by film critic J. Hoberman and, for the 4K UHD and Blu-ray editions, a 2020 discussion of the film by the editorial staff of Jewish Currents magazine
Disc Stats:
- 4K Ultra HD
- Blu-ray Disc
- Two-disc set (1 BD-100, 1 BD-50)
Codec: HEVC / H.265
- Resolution: Native 4K
- HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
- Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Audio:
- English: Dolby Atmos
- English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Subtitles:
- English SDH
Playback:
- 4K Blu-ray: Region free
- 2K Blu-ray: Region A locked
Reviewer Setup:
- TV: Samsung 65” Q6F QLED
- Audio-Pioneer: Elite 7.2-Ch with Atmos and Andrew Jones Speakers
- Blu-Ray Player: PlayStation 5
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