Description

Moonage Daydream – 4K Ultra HD Disc Review

Criterion Collection | 2022 | 134 minutes | PG-13 | Released September 26, 2023

DISC DETAILS

• Disc Type: BD-100 (4K Ultra HD)
• Region: Region-Free
• Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (originally 1.85:1)
• HDR: None (No HDR10 or Dolby Vision; intentional due to archival sources)
• Codec: HEVC / H.265
• Audio Tracks:
  • English Dolby Atmos
  • English Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (core)
  • English LPCM 2.0 Stereo
• Subtitles: English SDH
• Packaging: DigiPack in slipbox with foldout poster/booklet

VIDEO QUALITY: ★★★★★ (5/5)

The 4K Ultra HD presentation of Moonage Daydream is visually breathtaking and surreal, fitting of its subject, even without HDR.

• Clarity & Detail: Despite the mix of source materials (concerts, interviews, abstract visuals), the footage sourced from 35mm and high-quality digital is razor sharp, revealing texture in clothing, makeup, performance sets, and even film grain in vintage reels.
• Editing Style: The frenetic, layered visual editing is a double-edged sword — artistically immersive but sometimes overwhelming.
• Color Palette: Vivid neons, stage lighting, and animated flourishes make for a visually rich kaleidoscope, though intentionally chaotic. Saturated hues lean psychedelic, often by design.
• Limitations: Some footage comes from lower-resolution archival material, resulting in fluctuating quality, but this is accurate to the original sources and not a fault of the transfer.
• No HDR? Right — and it’s a deliberate call. The restoration aimed for visual consistency, and adding HDR could’ve made the archival materials stand out awkwardly. Despite this, the disc maintains excellent contrast and color fidelity.

Verdict: Visually stunning, weird, and immersive — much like Bowie himself. Criterion’s encode preserves the film’s layered design with remarkable precision.

AUDIO QUALITY: ★★★★★ (5/5)

This 4K disc includes an incredible Dolby Atmos track, a 7.1 TrueHD core, and LPCM 2.0 stereo — each offering a different but compelling experience.

• Dolby Atmos: The Atmos track is the highlight of the disc, dynamically mixing concert performances, remixes, archival interviews, and abstract sound design into a full 360-degree soundfield. Bowie’s voice surrounds you, guitars and synths rise overhead, and crowd ambiance swells from the rear channels.
• LPCM Stereo: A powerful 2.0 mix for purists or stereo setups — wide, clean, and natural.
• Dialogue & Music Balance: The music dominates (as it should), but Bowie’s narration cuts cleanly through the mix.

Verdict: If you have a home theater, crank this one up. It’s a reference-level concert doc track — thunderous, spatial, and deeply immersive.

WHAT’S ON THE 4K DISC?

Included on Disc 1 (4K UHD):

• Audio Commentary by director Brett Morgen
• ️ Original Theatrical Trailer (3 min)

Note: Most special features (Q&A, featurettes, bonus performances) are found on Disc 2 (Blu-ray).

OVERALL SCORE: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

Final Thoughts:

Moonage Daydream isn’t a traditional documentary — it’s a sensory experience, more like a David Bowie concept album brought to life in moving images. For some, it’s transcendent; for others, frustratingly oblique. But one thing is certain: Criterion’s 4K disc presents it as beautifully and sonically powerful as it could ever be.

RECOMMENDED for fans of Bowie, experimental docs, and audiovisual showpieces.