The Twilight Saga: 15th Anniversary 4K UHD SteelBook Collection Review

Celebrate the 15th anniversary of the first Twilight film and experience Bella and Edward’s epic love story, the dangerous feud between vampires and werewolves, and more unforgettable moments in the entire 5-film collection of Twilight: The Complete Saga. This special anniversary collection comes with four art cards and seven pieces of interchangeable cover art. Includes Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 2, and over twelve hours of special features.

For thoughts on The Twilight Saga, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgKI5J04JSA]

Video Quality

All the films in The Twilight Saga are given a 2160p Dolby Vision/HDR upgrade that serves as a significant step up from their Blu-Ray counterparts. The set also includes Blu-Ray versions of each film which appear to mirror the previous versions that were available separately. The previous releases were pretty great when they were released on Blu-Ray, but Lionsgate allows these films to flourish with these new 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs. To not duplicate descriptions, I will group most of these films together while pointing out noticeable differences. The main takeaway for this collection is that all transfers allow these films to look the best they ever have on home entertainment, and they should be considered the best way to enjoy these films. All of these movies were shot on 35mm film, rendered from a 2K Digital Intermediate, and upconverted to 4K, which should not make you think that these discs are lesser in any form.

The 4K UHD Blu-Ray set offers a stunning uptick in quality, most notably in its gains in fine detail and well-defined textures. The new discs offer some notable improvements in the black levels which allows many of the darker scenes on the Blu-Ray to present more clearly in 4K. The first was previously released on 4K UHD, and that disc appears to be carried over to this set. The presentation for Twilight is very strong, but the remainder of the series looks more impressive, most likely due to the upgrade in budget and production value. The new presentations for the remaining format debuts feel like you are seeing things perfectly for the first time on home entertainment. Considering that so much of the series takes place in overcast or shadows, it is a pleasure to see the scenes are more vivid and finely delineated. The black levels are especially strong in these presentations, staying deep and inky with great detail. The highlights in the film are more defined with whites pure and balanced with no instances of blooming to be found.

These films are known for their primarily cool monochromatic aesthetic which may not make them a beacon for vibrancy, but the Dolby Vision transfer allows the hues on display to reach a greater depth. That being said, any moments in the meadow or trips outside of Forks such as the honeymoon in Breaking Dawn, Part 1 provide a radiant experience. There are also specific pops of color in the production design and costumes that appear with greater intensity than ever before, such as the red capes in the New Moon finale. Skin tones appear more natural (as much as they can with vampires) with healthy doses of crisp detail apparent on faces such as pores. The transfer reveals an increase in the depth of field in the locations that we visit from film to film. There does not appear any noise reduction or black crush that we detected. These Blu-Rays have done their job until now, but Lionsgate has made those discs nearly obsolete with this wonderful new 4K release.

Audio Quality

The upgrade in the video department is substantial, but the audio upgrade is where this set puts things over the top. The 4K UHD Blu-Ray set comes with an immersive Dolby Atmos presentation that handles the action and character moments of the story impeccably. These tracks offer tremendous immersion into the environment so that even the subtlest elements are represented. The Atmos presentation takes full advantage of the expanded channel allotment. Some of the violent confrontations utilize the soundscape to put you right into the fray. There are also certain moments with characters standing in the rain which put the height channels to work in a satisfying manner.

All of the sounds are balanced well during the more kinetic sequences, of which there are many. The brawls provide a fantastic amount of activity in the low end. Directionality of sound is never an issue with this track, and dialogue is reproduced with supreme clarity. Speakers remain remarkably engaged throughout the film, even during the quieter moments when nature makes itself more known. The series is more sonically complex than many might assume, and we are glad to have this upgraded audio to take full advantage of that fact. The audio presentation throughout this set is a wonderful experience from start to finish. All films are given optional English SDH and Spanish subtitles, along with an additional non-SDH English subtitle option for Twilight.

Special Features

Lionsgate has provided this franchise with a sleek, sturdy SteelBook collection that features all five films in their own SteelBook case with a dedicated slot in a thick, reinforced cardboard outer case. Get a full overview of the packaging in the video at the top of the review.

Twilight

4K UHD & Bonus Disc*

Theatrical Version (2:01:49) (*Only on 4K UHD Disc)

Twilight Tour…Ten Years Later (10:02) (*Only on 4K UHD Disc)

A Conversation with Stephanie Meyer (23:34)

Music – The Heartbeat of Twilight (5:36)

Becoming Edward (7:29)

Becoming Bella (5:24)

Catherine Hardwicke’s Vampire Kiss Montage (2:36)

Catherine Hardwicke’s “Bella’s Lullaby Remix” Music Video (3:58)

Edward’s Piano Concert (2:34)

Twilight Cast Interview

- Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (7:03)

- Cam Gigandet (5:56)

- Edi Gathegi and Rachelle Lefevre (6:21)

Twilight Premiere On The Red Carpet (7:55)

Cast Interviews On The Red Carpet (5:09)

Stephanie Meyer Talks About The Twilight Saga (36:13)

Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (2:01:50)

Audio Commentary with Director Catherine Hardwicke and actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

Music Videos

- Muse Performing “Supermassive Black Hole” (4:58)

- “Decode” Music Video by Paramore (5:09)

- “Leave Out All The Rest” Music Video by Linkin Park (3:35)

Extended Scenes (5 scenes, 9:36)

Deleted Scenes (5 scenes, 5:54)

The Adventure Begins – The Journey From Page To Screen (54:29)

Jump To…

- Jump To… Jacob (4:23)

- Jump To… Edward (16:01)

The Comic-Con Phenomenon (7:58)

Theatrical Campaign (12:22)

- Sneak Peek As Seen On Penelope DVD

- Comic-Con New York Sneak Peek

- Teaser Trailer #1

- Teaser Trailer #2

- Final Trailer

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

4K UHD Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (2:10:36)

Audio Commentary with Director Chris Weitz and Editor Peter Lambert

Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (2:10:38)

Audio Commentary with Director Chris Weitz and Editor Peter Lambert

The Journey Continues: A 6-Part Documentary on the Making of The Twilight Saga: New Moon (1:05:28)

Music Videos

- “Meet Me on the Equinox” Music Video by Death Cab For Cutie (3:48)

- “Satellite Heart” Music Video by Anya Marina (3:47)

- Behind-the-Scenes Rehearsal of “I Belong to You” by Muse (1:32)

- “Spotlight” Music Video by Mutemath (From the “Twilight” Soundtrack) (3:42)

Bonus Disc

Deleted Scenes (11 scenes, 18:41)

Interview with the Volturi (8:06)

Fandimonium (12:45)

The Beat Goes On: The Music of The Twilight Saga: New Moon (10:32)

Frame by Frame: Storyboards to Screen (14:24)

Jump To…

- Jump To…Jacob (32:49)

- Jump To…Edward (30:54)

Extended Scenes (12 scenes, 31:16)

Extended Interviews (21:12)

Exclusive Webcast Events (41:14)

Premiere Red Carpet Interviews (6:10)

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

4K UHD Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (2:03:55)

Audio Commentary with actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

Audio Commentary with Author Stephenie Meyer and Producer Wyck Godfrey

Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (2:03:57)

Audio Commentary with actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart

Audio Commentary with Author Stephenie Meyer and Producer Wyck Godfrey

The Making of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse 6-Part Documentary (1:28:00)

Deleted and Extended Scenes with Optional Commentary with Director David Slade (8 Scenes, 12:33)

Jump To…

- Jump To…Edward (50:25)

- Jump To…Jacob (32:37)

- Jump To…The Love Triangle (18:59)

- Jump To…The Cullens (32:08)

- Jump To…The Wolfpack (22:20)

- Jump To…The Humans (16:25)

- Jump To…Victoria’s Army (24:38)

- Jump To…Action Sequences (19:31)

Photo Gallery

Music Videos

- “Neutron Star Collision” Music Video by Muse (4:18)

- “Eclipse (All Yours)” Music Video by Metric (4:20)

Bonus Disc

Twilight FANomenon (35:32)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Character (8:24)

Cast Retrospective (1:05:49)

Twilight Forever: Edward’s Saga (1:49:03)

Twilight Forever: Jacob’s Saga (1:44:03)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1

4K UHD Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (1:57:05)

Audio Commentary with Director Bill Condon

Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (1:57:07) and Extended Version (2:04:15)

Audio Commentary with Director Bill Condon

Bonus Disc

Love, Death, Birth: Filming The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (1:26:43)

Jacob’s Destiny (7:18)

Bella and Edward’s Personal Wedding Video (8:33)

Jump To…

- Jump To…Edward (1:04:48)

- Jump To…Jacob (37:19)

- Jump To…The Wedding and Reception (22:42)

- Jump To…The Honeymoon (25:18)

- Jump To…Bella’s Pregnancy (32:47)

- Jump To…The Wolf Packs (25:29)

- Jump To…The Cullens (44:14)

Music Videos

- Bruno Mars – “It Will Rain” Music Video (4:22)

- Christina Perri – “A Thousand Years” Music Video (4:56)

- Iron & Wine – “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” Music Video (4:32)

- The Belle Brigade – “I Didn’t Mean It” Lyrics Video (3:41)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2

4K UHD Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (1:55:11)

Audio Commentary with Director Bill Condon

Blu-Ray

Theatrical Version (1:55:12)

Audio Commentary with Director Bill Condon

Jump To…

- Jump To…Edward (53:02)

- Jump To…Jacob (22:13)

Forever: Filming The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (1:33:17)

Two Movies At Once (6:27)

“The Forgotten” Green Day Music Video (5:20)

Bonus Disc

Tingles & Chills: Special Vampire Powers (9:12)

Carlisle’s Contacts: The New Vampires (12:23)

Judge, Jury & Executioner: Aro & The Volturi (6:23)

Being Charlie Swan (9:48)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 at Comic-Con (19:44)

Stars on the Black Carpet (6:10)

Final Thoughts

The Twilight Saga franchise is often reduced to a punchline by “serious” cinephiles, but those people do not seem open to what the series provides in the first place. These films are not perfect, even the book readers will be disappointed by some of the omissions, but they are a lot of fun. Yes, the series may cause you to yell at the screen at certain character decisions or lovingly mock some of the acting choices, but it evokes such reactions because you are invested. This is a rich world beyond Edward and Bella, and the way it is brought to life is cinematic comfort food if you give yourself over to the charms of the franchise. Lionsgate has released the entire series on 4K UHD Blu-Ray, and the A/V presentation could not be more impressive. Not only this but there is a slate of special features that will keep you very busy. There are a few nitpicks working against this set (where are all the extended cuts?), but these are minor when compared to the awe-inspiring effort put into everything this set does right. Highly Recommended

The Twilight Saga: 15th Anniversary 4K UHD SteelBook Collection is currently available to purchase exclusively at Best Buy.

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

Disclaimer: Lionsgate 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.