Nicolas Cage’s two biggest action hits are finally getting the high-def treatment they deserve. “Con Air” and “National Treasure” are coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray SteelBook on Nov. 10, and the Walt Disney Company is giving both films the full restoration package: 4K picture, Dolby Atmos sound, and collectible SteelBook cases.
The release pairs two very different movies from the same era of Cage’s career. “Con Air” is a prison-break thriller, while “National Treasure” is the treasure-hunt adventure that follows. Both films were directed by Simon West and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and both now get the deluxe treatment.
The SteelBook Set
The 4K UHD SteelBook release is limited edition, which means collectors will want to grab it fast. Each set includes the 4K disc, a Blu-ray disc with bonus features, and a digital code.
For “Con Air,” the Blu-ray disc comes with “A View from Above” and “The Destruction of Las Vegas.” Those are the bonus features, and they are the kind of behind-the-scenes extras that make a SteelBook purchase feel worthwhile.
“National Treasure” gets a different set of extras. The 4K UHD bonus feature commentary includes director John Turteltaub and actor Justin Bartha.
Both sets arrive as SteelBooks, the collectible cases that have become standard for premium releases.
The Films Themselves
“Con Air” is the prison-break movie. Directed by Simon West, it stars a cast that reads like a who’s who of 1997 cinema: John Malkovich, John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, and Dave Chappelle.
“National Treasure” is the adventure that followed. Directed by John Turteltaub, it features Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates, a cryptologist on a quest to uncover America’s founding secrets.
The restoration work is notable. Both films have been restored in 4K with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. That means the picture is sharp, the sound is immersive, and the colors are accurate. For fans who have watched these films on older formats, the upgrade is significant.
Digital Options
“National Treasure” will launch on 4K Ultra HD digital the same day as its physical release. “Con Air” already had a digital release, so the new 4K Ultra HD digital version of “National Treasure” follows the same path. That means both films will be available in high definition across physical and digital platforms on the same day.
The digital release is a convenience play. If you want to watch immediately, you can skip the trip to the store. If you want the SteelBook, you still have to buy it separately.
The physical release is the draw for collectors. The SteelBook cases, the bonus features, and the Atmos sound make this a proper collector’s item rather than a simple rental.
Key Facts
- Release date: Nov. 10
- Formats: 4K UHD SteelBook, 4K Ultra HD digital
- Bonus features: “A View from Above” and “The Destruction of Las Vegas” (Con Air); commentary with Turteltaub and Bartha (National Treasure)
- Parent company: The Walt Disney Company
The release date is Nov. 10, and both films arrive together. That is the key detail. Instead of waiting for separate releases, fans get both movies on the same day.
| Format | “Con Air” | “National Treasure” |
|---|---|---|
| Physical | 4K UHD SteelBook + Blu-ray + digital code | 4K UHD SteelBook + digital code |
| Digital | Available now | Launches Nov. 10 |
This is a win for Nicolas Cage fans. “Con Air” and “National Treasure” are two of his most beloved roles, and seeing them restored in 4K with Atmos sound is a treat. The SteelBook packaging adds value for collectors, and the bonus features give viewers something to watch beyond the main films.
The digital release of “National Treasure” means you can watch immediately if you do not want to wait for shipping. But the SteelBook set remains the definitive way to own these films.
Bring home the action classics when both collectible SteelBooks arrive on 4K Ultra HD on Nov. 10.
See the a run of 17 images at ABC7 Los Angeles.
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