Good news everyone, December was a bumper month for 4K Ultra HD releases! Get the low-down on all the Australian releases in our 4K December 2020 round-up.
4K Ultra HD of the month
Total Recall
Release date: December 9
It’s 30 years since Paul Verhoeven – straight off the success of RoboCop – adapted Philip K. Dick’s short story We Can Remember It for You Wholesale into what has gone on to become a sci-fi action classic. Having also been responsible for the stories that became Blade Runner, Minority Report and The Adjustment Bureau, that’s one serious sci-fi legacy from Mr. Dick.
Total Recall saw Arnold Schwarzenegger returning to sci-fi after a dalliance with comedy alongside Danny De Vito in Twins, bringing his own special brand of life and heart to the role of Douglas Quaid, a man who’s haunted by a recurring dream of a trip to Mars. When he purchases an implanted holiday memory, something goes awry and what may actually be genuine memories to do with the red planet surface, and it’s no pleasant vacation.
No expense has been spared bringing this 4K restoration to us in celebration of the film’s 30th anniversary, with Verhoeven himself supervising the transfer. A new Dolby Atmos sound mix has also been created, and the whole package is spread over three discs, including exclusive documentary feature Total Excess: How Carolco Changed Hollywood, as well as featurettes on the soundtrack and the development of the film.
Read our review here.
What other new releases hit 4K Ultra HD in December?
The New Mutants
Release date: December 2
Marvel’s latest film in the X-Men universe arrived on 4K Ultra HD toting a native 4K, HDR-enhanced transfer, and accompanied by Dolby Atmos audio.
Blade
Release date: December 2
Wesley Snipes returns as Blade – and he arrived on 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Atmos sound in his corner.
Chernobyl
Release date: December 2
The cracking miniseries made its way onto 4K Ultra HD, with native 4K, Dolby Vision enhanced picture and 5.1 sound.
The Hobbit Trilogy
Release date: December 2
Peter Jackson has gone all out to bring the definitive versions of this Tolkien trilogy to 4K Ultra HD, with native 4K transfers of the standard and extended cuts, all with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Release date: December 2
Just like with The Hobbit Trilogy, Peter Jackson has gone to great lengths in bringing the definitive versions of his LOTR trilogy to 4K Ultra HD, all with native 4K transfers of the standard and extended cuts, and all with both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
Disney Pixar – The Ultimate Collection
Release date: December 3
All 22 Pixar films from where it kicked off in Toy Story to this year’s Onward feature in this very special collector’s edition box set – and all with Dolby Atmos audio, too.
Beverly Hills Cop
Release date: December 9
The heat is on again with this native 4K restoration of one of Eddie Murphy’s most loved movies in town. The tale of a Detroit cop and the culture clash he experiences when heading to California to investigate the murder of an old friend is packed with classic lines – and this release is packed with extra features, including deleted scenes and a commentary from director Martin Brest. Read our review here.
Collateral
Release date: December 9
The Tom Cruise/Jamie Foxx crime thriller made its way to 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision enhancement and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound. Check out our review here.
Coming to America
Release date: December 9
It was a December double shot of Eddie, as this much-loved comedy classic also hit 4K Ultra HD with a native 4K transfer, Dolby Vision enhancement and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound. Our review is right here.
The Incredible Hulk
Release date: December 9
The set of the Marvel Cinematic Universe flicks on 4K in Australia is finally complete, as the big green straggler finally made it our way, complete with HDR enhancement and booming DTS:X sound.
Parasite: Special Edition
Release date: December 9
Oscar-winning writer/director Bong Joon Ho’s thrilling black comedy masterpiece about a South Korean class divide (to oversimplify it a tad) made its way to 4K in Australia, and it did so in style with this special JB-exclusive Collector’s Edition. The movie comes in native 4K with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound, while a Blu-ray of the B&W version is included, along with an A2 poster and eight character cards. Read our review of this great package here.
Trolls World Tour
Release date: December 9
The wild-haired little folk returned for a fun-packed and very colourful sequel, complete with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos accompaniment.
Weathering with You: Deluxe Limited Edition
Release date: December 9
The masterful Japanese animated tale came to us in a majestic deluxe collector’s edition, featuring a slipcase, steelbook, CD soundtrack, 104-page book, poster, art cards and a sticker. Read our full review here.
Marvel Studios: The Infinity Saga Collection
Release date: December 9
All 23 Marvel Cinematic Universe movies so far on 4K Ultra HD, all packaged in one magnificent box set, with bonus Blu-rays and heaps of extras. Wow!
John Carpenter Collection
Release date: December 16
If you missed out on picking them up individually, you can now grab the 4K Ultra HD releases of John Carpenter’s Escape From New York, Prince of Darkness, They Live and The Fog in this handy collection.
Tenet
Release date: December 16
The latest brain buster from Christopher Nolan reached 4K Ultra HD in HDR-enhanced native format, with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound (as is Nolan’s way).
That was the biggest collection of new 4K releases all year, and here’s hoping 2021 brings us even more treats on the format. Remember, stay tuned to STACK for all the latest 4K news!
Meanwhile, have you checked out our 4K Ultra HD specifications guide? Bookmark it, as we update it regularly with all the latest 4K/2K, HDR/Dolby Vision and best sound format info for all the latest 4K Ultra HD releases in Australia.
