New review: “Cobra Kai – The complete first season” on Blu-ray in the test

-Die Dramedy-Serie “Cobra Kai“(USA since 2018) continues almost 35 years after the cult film”Karate Kid“(USA 1984). Ralph Macchio and William Zabka slip back into the roles that made them famous in the 80s.” Cobra Kai “was first broadcast on YouTube and eventually switched to Netflix. The production is a fourth season already decided. Nameless Media was able to secure the physical home cinema rights to the TV series and at the end of last year “Cobra Kai – The complete first season” and “Cobra Kai – The complete second season“Released individually as standard editions on Blu-ray with a new synchro. Season 1 comprises ten episodes spread over two discs. In addition to video material encoded in 1080p, AVC, the episodes have German and English 5.1 sound in DTS-HD master audio -Format. Our reviewer Andrè Westphal took a look at the Blu-ray version of the first season and said:

Although “Cobra Kai” lacks bonus material, it is in very good shape in HD. The image of the Blu-ray is roughly on par with the Netflix 4K stream or, due to the better compression, can even score better in dark scenes – resolution is not everything. The German dubbing, which is different here, is a matter of taste, which does not correspond to the Netflix version and does not bring back the speakers of the first movie. Technically, however, due to the lossless presentation as DTS-HD MA 5.1, there is little reason to doubt.

Andrè Westphal is particularly fond of the series itself:

It is seldom possible to continue a franchise with dignity after decades. Disney has even managed to dismantle a brand like “Star Wars” with the last few movies. But “Cobra Kai” asserts itself against any skepticism: The original actors have visible fun spinning the stories of their characters and the young newcomers quickly grow dear to you. Fortunately, the makers find the perfect balance, so that neither the old icons overshadow the new protagonists nor the young actors displace the old warhorses. “Cobra Kai” shows courage and heart and is not only the best revival of a brand from the 1980s, but also one of the best series of the current time – regardless of whether it is TV or streaming. Strike First. Strike Hard. No Mery – and the series competition will be swept away.

The full meeting you’ll find here. (sw)