4K Blu-ray Review: Middle Earth 31-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition

Synopsis: The Ultimate Collector’s Edition includes the theatrical and extended versions of the six films from New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures in 4K UHD with HDR - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay. The Ultimate Collector’s Edition comes in unique “Puzzle Box” collectible packaging and includes a 64-page booklet featuring costumes, photography and production notes from the film, and art cards featuring travel posters and images from iconic locations throughout Middle-earth including The Shire, Lake-Town, Erebor, Anduin, Rohan, Minas Trith, and Rivendell.

Main Features: Did we need another 4K set of both the Lord of the Rigns and Hobbitt films a year after the original UHD releases? No. Will fans still enjoy this massive 31-disc set? Probably. But I was found still with it lacking. The presentation in the format is not questioned, and neither is the spread. Its what come with the base films...

Bonus Features: All these goodies, and yet it feels incomplete. Like a long-winded sentence that takes forever to--or never does--get to the point. A treasure trove of goodies to certainly appreciate, but will fans feel its worthwhile when it feels so lacking? A cast reunion is worth noting for sure. But there are extras we fans crave missing from previous editions, not carried over. I do not appear to be alone, as other critics receiving an advanced set have noted the missing items, some I failed to catch first time around. Appendices discs being the chief culprit. All these extras, but no room for these and other few items fans would prefer? At least you get a digital code for all six films, each with original and extended cuts, to bring with you.

Final Call: The Middle Earth Ultimate Collector's Edition is a journey to take, but those fans with other previous editions will find themselves lost and longing, heading there and back again.

Grade: B-