Pulp Fiction review in 4K UHD: new Eagle edition for Tarantino’s cult with an excellent video that represents a significant leap in quality compared to blu-ray. Instead, I step back for the Italian audio (English is excellent), some doubts also about the extras.
The wait to be able to admire a cornerstone of cinema such as Pulp Fiction in 4K UHD was a long time coming, but it paid off in the end. Thanks to Plaion Pictures, the release of the masterpiece of Quentin Tarantino in the new more performing video format has become reality, and the release in the beautiful edition in slipcover to two discs that we were able to analyze for this review, was also preceded by a special steelbook edition. It is an opportunity to see the famous film with John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman as never seen before in home vision, even if the edition, as we will see, is not free from some flaws.
4K video: a clear leap in quality compared to blu-ray
As we said, a long wait but well rewarded, considering that the new video format fully satisfies the expectations of an upgrade. The Pulp Fiction disc in 4K UHD branded Paramount and distributed by Plaion Pictures, in fact represents a clear qualitative step forward compared to the blu-ray in various respects, with a further greater adherence to the original footage which, it should be remembered, dates back by now almost thirty years ago. Also for this reason, the video is certainly not among the best 4K we have seen, but the rendering is certainly brilliant and Quentin Tarantino’s film has certainly never looked so good before on home video.
The visual framework, in addition to being extremely clean and crystalline, is decidedly sharper than in the HD version: here the close-ups are more incisive and take on an unprecedented porosity, furthermore the clothes reveal seams and new details in the fabrics, but in general also the objects they are much more defined and all the settings are overall more compact, with greater solidity even in the backdrops. Furthermore, as a shot on film claims, the grain is present, but it is really very light and natural, at times almost invisible, but without any alteration or filter, and for this reason it always retains a purely cinematographic aspect.
On the chromatic front, Dolby Vision offers an upgrade that translates into decidedly more vibrant and intense colors, as well as an amplified brightness that never loses naturalness and always remains faithful to the photograph, even when this is particularly hot. The whites are brilliant and without smudges, the black levels deeper (excellent those of the clothes), with the shadow details that always emerge in low light conditions, thanks also to a perfectly calibrated contrast.
Pulp Fiction: 25 years ago in Cannes, Quentin Tarantino presented the film that would change cinema
The audio: English excellent but Italian takes a step backwards
A pinch of disappointment comes from the audio. Not so much because on the 4K disc the Italian track is in a simple Dolby Digital 5.1, but because in previous editions we had found it in DTS HD 5.1, as indeed it is on the blu-ray. In short, if the video has taken a step forward, the audio one has taken a step back. The encoding is of a good standard and the listening remains engaging, but reveals its limits with somewhat dry dialogues, low-key energy and surround activity present, but which does not exploit the full potential of what is flowing on the video . The original track in DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 has a different impact, which on the contrary exploits all the loudness of certain scenes, with perfect directionality, disruptive effects, shots and muscular squeaks that call into question very robust basses, which are felt decisively even in the playback of the soundtrack.
Does Quentin Tarantino love or hate women? A look at the female characters in his films
The goodies: an hour on the 4K disc, but a lot got lost along the way
A particular speech concerns the extras. We find three contributions on the 4K UHD disc (in short, only a few of the considerable quantity present in past editions), while the blu-ray disc is even totally devoid of them. However, the documentary titled is excellent Not the usual little phrase launched there to have a chat, which lasts an impressive 43 minutes and in which some members of the film’s cast discuss their meeting with Tarantino, their involvement in the project, the script, rehearsals, filming, the screening at the Cannes Film Festival and the film’s legacy. We find then Some notions on history (21 minutes), a panel discussion with several critics, including Elvis Mitchell, Scott Foundas, Stephanie Zacharek, Tim Lucas and Andy Klein discussing the film’s impact. Closing Advanced Trivia Trackbut only in English, with the possibility of having various information and curiosities while the film is being played.
Conclusions
At the conclusion of the review of Pulp Fiction in 4K UHD, let’s rejoice with all Quentin Tarantino fans for the arrival of the famous cult in the most performing video format, which allows you to see the film in the best possible guise. But the edition has some flaws. If the English audio is excellent, the Italian one in Dolby Digital marks a step back from the past. The extras are good, but many have been lost along the way compared to other editions of the past.
Because we like it
- The 4K video does justice to an unforgettable cult classic with a clear leap in detail and chroma.
- The English audio is engaging and exuberant.
- The extras on the 4K disc are good.
What’s wrong
- Too bad there aren’t many special contents present in past editions.
- Step back for the Italian audio, downgraded to Dolby Digital when blu-ray had already been offered in DTS HD.
