Kiss the Girls

The 4K UHD presentation of "Kiss the Girls" on Blu-ray offers a notably solid imaging experience. Paramount's transfer omits the inclusion of a standard Blu-ray comparison point, directing focus solely towards the UHD performance. The 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD capture brings to life a cinematic quality that, while the film itself may not prioritize visual splendor, achieves a faithful rendition of its original theatrical experience. The image retains a light, consistent grain structure that maintains the film’s intended aesthetic, ensuring a stable and true-to-source appearance. Detailing across the board is commendable, with the UHD format lifting textures in facial details, clothing, and environmental elements to levels beyond what Blu-ray can offer. This enhancement in clarity and detail articulation ensures that the film appears at its absolute best, possibly surpassing its initial theater presentation.

Color reproduction via Dolby Vision is another area where this edition excels. The presentation handles the movie's fluctuating light conditions impressively— from the vibrant greens of woodland scenes to the full-bodied clothing and naturalistic skin tones, each color palette is rendered with depth and accuracy. Black levels are generally deep, contributing effectively to the film's atmosphere, despite occasionally nearing crush in extremely dark scenes. Such moments seem more an intentional mood-setting choice than a transfer flaw.

Despite being the sole upgrade in this UHD version, the video quality is devoid of significant print imperfections or encoding issues, marking a meticulous transfer effort. While "Kiss the Girls" might not be a visually stunning film by nature, this UHD rendition elevates its visual presentation, making it thoroughly satisfying without resorting to unnecessary flair. The fidelity and filmic essence it preserves makes for an appreciably authentic viewing experience.

In evaluating the audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Kiss the Girls," it's noteworthy to mention that the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack appears to be carried over from its 2015 Warner Brothers release. While a direct comparison wasn't possible, similarities between the two were noted based on Michael Reuben's analysis of the previous disc. The soundtrack in question provides an exceptional auditory experience, characterized by its meticulous balance and immersive capability. The use of the surround sound field is particularly commendable, engaging both in creating a cohesive atmospheric presence and in pinpointing discrete sounds that enhance the viewer's immersion.

The technical prowess of this audio track is evident in its handling of both ambient noises and dynamic audio shifts, ensuring a thorough and engaging listening experience without overwhelming the senses. The subwoofer contributes depth without dominating, lending weight to the overall sound profile in a measured approach. Music integration within the soundtrack deserves special mention for its expansive staging across the front channels and judicious use of rear channels to envelop the listener without detracting from the auditory focus.

Dialogue clarity stands out as another strong point of this soundtrack. Voices are crisp, easily discernible, and correctly positioned within the soundstage, emanating predominantly from the front-center channel but maintaining a natural blend with environmental sounds and musical scores. This attention to detail in audio presentation underscores the commitment to preserving the integrity of the film's atmospheric and narrative elements, showcasing how a well-executed soundtrack can significantly enhance the cinematic experience.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "Kiss the Girls" provides a fundamentally streamlined viewing experience that might leave enthusiasts desiring more. The transition directly to a static menu upon loading, showcasing only the generic box art for visual appeal, sets a minimalistic tone. The options are limited to playing the film and toggling subtitles, with a notable lack of audio customization or chapter selection. Remarkably, this release follows the tradition of its Blu-ray predecessor by not offering any extras, maintaining an unusually bare-bones approach for a 4K UHD edition. Despite these limitations, Paramount has included a digital copy voucher, offering a sliver of additional value. The absence of both a Blu-ray copy and a slipcover further emphasizes the pared-down nature of this release.

Extras included in this disc:

• There are no extras included on this disc.

Paramount's 4K UHD release of "Kiss the Girls," the gripping 1997 thriller directed by Gary Fleder and featuring the adept performances of Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, marks a significant upgrade in home cinema experience. The film, based on James Patterson's bestselling novel, is well served by the latest 2160p/Dolby Vision video presentation, which brings a new level of clarity and depth to its intense narrative and dark, demanding sets and locations. The addition of a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack further enhances this edition, providing an auditory experience that is as meticulous and engulfing as the film's direction. Although it's notable that this release, like its 2015 Blu-ray predecessor, does not include supplementary content, the technical enhancements alone make this a compelling purchase for fans and collectors.

The story, stretching from the Deep South to the California coast and back, is elevated by the UHD format's ability to present nuanced visuals that bring out the finest details in night scenes and the complexions of its lead actors. Morgan Freeman delivers a masterful performance as Alex Cross, embodying a character who is not only professional and cerebral but also intensely personal, as one of the victims is his niece. Ashley Judd's portrayal of McTiernan, both resourceful and resilient, complements Freeman's Cross perfectly, driving forward a narrative that is as much about human strength as it is about suspense. The palpable chemistry between the leads, amplified by the unmatched video and sound quality of this release, ensures that "Kiss the Girls" remains a potent and engaging thriller for its audience.

Despite the lack of additional features, this 4K UHD disc version of "Kiss the Girls" does its source material justice by significantly upgrading its visual and auditory presentation. The omission of extras, while unfortunate, does little to detract from the primary attraction - the film itself. Paramount's dedication to technical excellence is evident and appreciated, ensuring that this iteration of "Kiss the Girls" stands as the definitive viewing experience for this enthralling narrative.

Paramount's release of "Kiss the Girls" on 4K UHD Blu-ray has garnered mixed feelings among aficionados and tech enthusiasts alike. The transfer to UHD has undeniably elevated the picture quality, presenting vivid details and a sharper image that enhances the viewing experience of this classic thriller. The audio experience complements this upgrade well, offering an enjoyable and immersive auditory journey. These improvements make the UHD version a valuable addition for dedicated fans or newcomers to the film who prioritize technical quality.

However, beyond the enhanced audio-visual experience, the release shows a lack of additional effort to entice the broader home cinema community. The package is notably sparse, devoid of any added features that are typically standard in such releases. The absence of supplemental material, a Blu-ray copy for versatile viewing options, and even the basic aesthetic touch of a slipcover significantly detract from the overall appeal. Such omissions highlight a missed opportunity to deliver a more comprehensive and engaging collector’s item.

In conclusion, while the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Kiss the Girls" presents a substantial improvement in picture and sound quality that will surely delight purists and die-hard fans, its minimalist approach leaves much to be desired in terms of value added through physical and supplemental features. This release is recommended with reservations; it suits those with a primary interest in technical upgrades but falls short for collectors and enthusiasts seeking a richer, more rounded package. Paramount's focus on the core audiovisual enhancement is commendable, yet a more generous approach in curating a complete viewing experience would have been preferable and far more satisfying.