Explore a new perspective from the Star Wars galaxy, focusing on Cassian Andor’s journey to discover the difference he can make. The series brings forward the tale of the burgeoning rebellion against the Empire and how people and planets became involved. It’s an era filled with danger, deception, and intrigue where Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a rebel hero.

For in-depth thoughts on Andor, please see my colleague Afiba Fairnot’s review from its original streaming release here.

For a look at the SteelBook packaging, please check out our video here.

Video Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Andor offers a necessary uptick in quality over the compressed Disney+ stream, allowing the series to achieve its ideal aesthetic. The release comes with the 12 episodes from the first season spread across three discs without the inclusion of additional Blu-Ray discs, so be sure you are 4K UHD capable if you are going with this format. The HDR reaches new heights of the color spectrum with a marvelous display of rich hues in worlds new and familiar. These wondrous environments leap off the screen in ways you won’t soon forget. Throughout this entry, you are blessed with dynamic, bold colors that make you grateful for this physical release.

Black levels stay robust in this presentation, showcasing sizable depth and detail. The elements taking place at night or in low light are deftly defined. The highlights are crisply rendered with whites pure and balanced with no instances of blooming at play. This format sidesteps banding, compression artifacts, and other digital anomalies. The subtle details in the costumes and the sci-fi production design are more textured than ever with the uptick in raw clarity. The texture of the makeup effects on some of the non-humanoid characters appears with flawless clarity as a world of subtle detail springs forth. This 4K UHD presentation delivers everything we want from the series.

Audio Quality

The set has been provided with a rich Dolby Atmos presentation that delivers on all fronts. From the outset, the Nicholas Britell score establishes the vibe of the series as it saturates the room. Dialogue comes through clearly without ever being overshadowed by any of the competing sonic elements. The sounds of the path to different planets and jarring explosions provide an audio experience that rivals the feature films. The low end never shows weakness along the journey no matter what is thrown at it.

The soundscape embraces the immersive qualities that ground you into the action. Ambient details are a consistent presence even in subdued exchanges as they permeate the rear and overhead channels. The overhead channels work naturally with the other channels rather than stealing focus, which adds a favorable sense of dimension to each installment. Sounds are impeccably rendered with precise directionality from the more thrilling scenes to character-building moments. This audio presentation is a treat for fans of the series. There are optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles provided.

Special Features

Ferrix Part 1 – Imperial Occupation: An eight-minute featurette that takes a look at the decision to fill in this prequel story after Rogue One, the development of the world, the design of the costumes, the introduction of key characters, and more.

Aldhani – Rebel Heist: A nearly eight-minute piece that looks at the production in Scotland for a turning point in the series including the VFX works, character dynamics, stunt work, and more.

Coruscant – Whispers Of Rebellion: A nearly nine-minute exploration of this location first glimpsed in Rogue One and how it feeds into the stories of ISB agent Dedra, Senator Mon Mothma, and spymaster Luthen Rael.

Narkina 5 – One Way Out: A nearly eight-minute look at the Empire’s prison system, the rehearsal process, the set development, the visual effects, the character of Kino Loy, and more.

Ferrix Part 2 – Fight The Empire: A nearly eight-minute video on the final episode of the season, the development of the score, the importance of this ending, and more.

Final Thoughts

Andor is one of the most consistently enriching Star Wars properties that we have seen in some time. Part of the beauty of this outing is the way it puts story first without much energy put towards connecting to any other shows or movies in this franchise. This is a dynamite political thriller that has the extra advantage of being part of one of the biggest properties in the world. The ensemble is largely great throughout with Diego Luna shining brightest at the forefront. This one is ready-made to impress the old-school fans of the franchise. Disney Home Entertainment has released a 4K UHD Blu-Ray featuring a stellar A/V presentation and a fine assortment of special features. Even if you have been a bit burned out on Star Wars adventures, this is something special and should not be missed. Recommended

Andor will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-Ray SteelBook and Blu-Ray SteelBook on April 30, 2024.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Disney Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.