Lifeforce 4K UHD Screenshot (Patreon)

Video

Excusing the inherent softness in the visual effects, Scream Factory's 4K presentation of Lifeforce is quite spectacular. Gobs of resolution pour onto the screen revealing notable precise detail. Texture starts high and stays there, held in place by the natural (and well resolved) grain structure. Spikes in the film stock pose no issue, staying clean thanks to the faultless compression.

In deep space, headlamps pierce the black, exhibiting intense dynamic range. Thank the Dolby Vision pass for that. Lifeforce doesn't hold back, delivering on pristine shadows and the bold brightness with superb peaks in intensity. Dimension is full bodied and pure, the best of '80s era restorations.

Equally lush is the color, vivid from the flesh tones to the basic primaries. Early shots showing the green comet trail show a vibrancy that's appropriately unreal. Richness in the reds remain impeccable throughout. The print stays clean, a few specks aside on occasion.

Audio

Dated, loose bass adds weight to this refreshed Atmos track (with 5.1 and stereo DTS-HD options on offer too). May's electrical powers generate a rumble that's imprecise if noticeable. Lifeforce drags its age along with it.

Frequently used height channels arguably are used too much so, constantly adding lift to the vintage audio. However, the strained fidelity and crude sound effects never "fit" properly to the modern techniques. The same goes for the surrounds, hyper active and oftentimes cloned from the stereos for minimal directionality, just noise. A few scenes fare better than most (Patrick Stewart's "dream" drops chairs and papers around the soundstage), but it's otherwise mundane.