The Thing 4K UHD Blu-ray Review - It should really be better...

In this video, I review the recent 4K blu-ray disc of The Thing, directed by John Carpenter.

Please let me know if you experienced the same issues with the disc as I did.

[johndoe]

You're doing us a service pointing out issues with discs, but also keeping things in perspective - keep it up!

[domcoke]

Keep fighting the good fight - too many reviewers are lax in their appraisals - don't apologise for your detailed eyes/ears

[tompoynton]

If only Arrow had been able to release this in 4K

[jordantaylor]

I have the 4k Steelbook on a Sony UBP-X700 and had no issues. Looked and sounded great!

[JasterBlaster]

You’re absolutely not nitpicking. I really appreciate your honest observations as it’s super informative. Keep up the great work!

[mrhobs]

“…how some people just don’t get film grain.” That’s a good way to put it. Because they may think they don’t like it, but what’s actually happening is they don’t get it.

[pm]

I have the OPPO-203 and mine does not freeze, and I've watched it twice already. Also no problems with the audio. You are *not* nit-picking! Freezing and audio issues are unacceptable. Keep producing honest reviews!

[Lightraymuse]

Just had my copy delivered today. Will be interesting to see how it plays. I first watched, The Thing, in 1982, part of a double feature with, Friday 13th part III, at the movies. First movie date with my wife to be. She's not really a horror fan, but I loved it (and they say romance is dead). Had the DVD, so definitely time to upgrade.

[blu-rayswithnathanjones]

Thanks for sharing this Elliot! Luckily my 4K disc didn't have any issue with freezing, although I did notice the sound quality dipping. I hope that this is resolved soon or at least a replacement program is made, just sucks to keep seeing these quality checks get bypassed more and more. Keep up the great content, my friend!

[KaipitainKai]

I never intended to buy this 4K but I love watching your videos just because you're so calming for me and I just enjoy your presence

[Redroomantics]

I thought the disc freezing was just me (literally just bought a new player so was worried it was broken) thanks for this video Elliot!

[kermitkurtz]

I don’t think that the disc freezing up and sound quality not up to at least standards is nit picking. As expensive as these discs are I expect nothing less than a quality product. I will stick with my blu ray version of this movie. It looks amazing on my 75 inch tv and the sound is excellent on my system. Thank you for this review I will be tuning in again for further vids.

[GrimCellar]

Well articulated summary, thanks for the warning - audio is very important to me so I think I'm gonna have to give this release a miss unless they 're release it with the freezing fixed and the original audio added as an optional (lossless!) track. Highly unlikely I know.

[rickspencer]

Thanks for the interesting review. I could not agree with you more. I bought the 4K version a few weeks ago, really looking forward to a "new experience" of watching this film. I mean, I have this movie on VHS, DVD, Blue Ray and now 4K. Thankfully, my disc does not freeze, however, I really noticed the "quietness" in the special effects scenes. I thought, at first, it was my 5.1 surround system. (I was hoping it wasn't because I had just spent $800 on a new system.) Anyway, I tried a few other Blu Rays and they sounded nice and loud. I suppose I only paid $20.00 for the 4K version, but still, all my hopes were dashed, once I watched the film. I do have the Scream Factory version, which I still enjoy, however, my favorite version is the Arrow one. The color is amazing! Anyway, keep up the good work, really enjoyed your video. Saying hi from London...Canada. (This is probably the closest I'll every see London, UK.)

[popcorndistrict]

Thanks for the update and honest feedback Elliot. Was really looking forward to this release. Will check out the forums for mentions of my Sony player and buy accordingly. Keep up the great work!

[Celestialrob]

Elliot, your opinions really are important to us and these issues that you highlighter not nit-picks. These freezing and skipping issues on discs seem to effect Sony players more than others, though I have no idea why. Thanks for what you do!

[MarkTallen]

I'm sorry to hear about your playback problems. It honestly played fine on my Panasonic ub9000 & I had no sound problems. I haven't tried it on my PS5 yet. My is the Zavvi Steelbook edition but I imagine the discs are the same and manufactured from the same source.

[viningscircle]

I have the Shout Factory release and feel that it is excellent and will hang onto it.

[stephencowie]

I have the collector's edition and played it on my Sony UBP X800M2 and experienced no technical issues with the disc. Both sound and picture were excellent and it is definitely the best this film has ever looked.

[SamLovesMovies]

The Thing is one of my favorite horror movies ever, so I was anxiously awaiting for it to get a 4K release (I got the awesome-looking Best Buy steelbook). I never bought the Scream Factory or Arrow Blu Rays because I was hoping for a 4K, so for me upgrading from my old-model Universal Blu Ray was a no-brainer. I was not disappointed when I watched it and thought it looked fantastic! In comparing screenshots, I personally prefer the color timing of the 4K. It still has the cold blue tones/feel, but not SO much as the Arrow and Scream Factory versions and I think it feels more balanced color-wise. Mine had no problem playing fortunately, but that is sad to hear about those issues. Also, I personally did not notice those audio issues in particular, but I'll go back and check it out. Even so, I am still very happy with the 4K because it is SUCH a nice upgrade over my old Blu Ray.