This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being covered here wouldn’t exist.

While practicing the tricks of the trade, a neophyte hacker accomplishes the nearly impossible: he hacks the highly secured computer at the Ellingson Mineral Corporation. But in doing so, he unknowingly taps into a high-tech embezzling scheme masked by a computer virus with the potential to destroy the world’s ecosystem!

By launching the careers of Jonny Lee Miller (Elementary) and Academy Award ®-winner* Angelina Jolie (Girl, Interrupted), Hackers became an underground hit instantly, inspiring music and fashion for the brand-new internet culture, and has been even hailed as prophetic in its use of computers and hacking.

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Video Quality

Shout! Studios presents Hackers with a fantastic 2160p transfer in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio sourced from a new 4K scan and restoration of the Original Camera Negative with Dolby Vision/HDR. The film was previously released by the label on Blu-Ray eight years ago in 2015 from a dated master. That release was decent for the time, but with time comes the evidence that the original release just does not cut it. This new presentation is a monumental improvement in nearly every respect. Even if you are not yet 4K UHD capable, this new release comes with a new Blu-Ray sourced from the same 4K master which also bests the previous Blu-Ray.

Fans will be blown away by the texture on display in the outfits and within the production design. The level of detail and clarity newly on display is a wonder thanks to the sumptuous amount of natural film grain intact. The grain resolves incredibly well with nothing ever feeling clumpy even within the shadowy environments. There are rarely even fleeting specks of damage that pop up thanks to the clean up of the image. This presentation is true to the original look of the film with the added resolution making elements seem more forthright and natural. There are no unsightly digital anomalies such as compression artifacts or any other such nuisances. The special effects in the hacking sequences are dated, but they are rendered faithfully.

The utilization of Dolby Vision/HDR for impeccable color output elevates things to unbelievable levels with its depth and nuance. Black levels are robust with nothing in the way of crush or banding present even in the dark hacker enclaves. Audiences can now ascertain much more shadow detail with figures properly defined instead of blending into the murky background. Highlights are solid as a rock with no evidence of blooming in the brilliant luminance. Lighting is very specific from scene to scene, and this disc handles every slight environmental change with ease. This presentation is a top-tier effort from the team at Shout! Studios.

Audio Quality

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc comes with a brand new DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track along with the previous DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio stereo track, both of which serve up a mighty mix. What a difference this surround track offers compared to the previous release, as this narrative seems to thrive with a complex sound design. These tracks provide a nuanced soundscape that perfectly captures the artistic intent with a fidelity that is flawlessly maintained. Environmental sounds such as the tapping of keyboard keys and the bustling of school hallways are rendered favorably alongside everything else.

The future-forward score and terrific soundtrack have never sounded richer and is used perfectly to establish the tone of the story. There is never a moment where it threatens to overshadow competing sounds, and it maintains a gripping balance so that dialogue comes through crisp and clear. There does not seem to be any egregious instances of age-related wear and tear. Scream Factory has delivered exactly what fans deserve in an ultimate presentation. English SDH subtitles are provided for those who want them.

Special Features

The Keyboard Cowboys – A Look Back At Hackers: A terrific 64-minute documentary is provided in which the cast and creative team dive deep into the making of Hackers, the subculture that inspired the film, the casting of the characters and the subsequent performances, the technical achievements of the picture, the soundtrack, the film’s legacy and more. Interview subjects include director Iain Softley, hacking consultants Emmanuel Goldstein and Nicholas Jarecki, visual effects artist Peter Chiang, actors Matthew Lillard, Fisher Stevens, and Penn Jillette, and more.

- Our World Now (24:35)

- The Beauty of the Baud (26:59)

- You Can’t Stop Us All (12:18)

Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half minute trailer is provided here.

Final Thoughts

Hackers is a bit dated in its technology, but it is an absolute blast when it comes to embracing a spirit of anarchy. Technology is not the only thing that has aged poorly (let’s not dwell on certain gender politics), but on the whole these characters capture a youthful energy that gets your fist pumping as this unbelievable plot unfolds. The villains are slimy, the leads are captivating, the aesthetic is very cool – what more could you want from this vibe-check of a film. It is premium ‘90s content. Shout! Studios has provided the film with a 4K UHD Blu-Ray release that boasts a 5-star A/V presentation and a great documentary. If you have a soft spot for this film, don’t miss the ultimate presentation. Recommended

Hackers (Collector’s Edition) is currently available to purchase on 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Combo Pack.

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

Disclaimer: Shout! Studios 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.