RED 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate's 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "RED" delivers a notable upgrade over its 1080p predecessor, boasting a 2160p UHD transfer in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10. This new rendition showcases an improved detail level and a richer color palette, despite some inconsistencies primarily related to film grain presentation. Scenes shot in bright lighting conditions or against lighter backgrounds tend to exhibit a more prominent, occasionally noisy grain structure. This contrasts with darker sequences, where grain appears more organically integrated into the imagery. The first shot of Bruce Willis waking up notably highlights this discrepancy, setting the stage for a viewing experience where grain resolution becomes a focal point of the transfer's variability.

Detail reproduction and color fidelity stand out as key strengths of this release. Fine details are markedly more pronounced, allowing textures like the fur collar on Mary Louise Parker's costume or the rugged surfaces of brick walls to pop with palpable clarity. Color presentation veers towards a cooler spectrum, with desaturated environments maintaining pops of vibrant colors, such as Morgan Freeman's striking blue topcoat, which benefits from heightened saturation levels in 4K. While the film's overall color grading tends towards the realistic, select hues exhibit deeper saturation, enriching the visual experience without veering into stylization. However, minor issues such as slight judder during lateral pans and occasional banding detract slightly from an otherwise robust visual upgrade.

The conversion process to 4K UHD also pays dividends in terms of black level depth and overall image sharpness. Blacks are rendered with inky precision, enhancing contrast without evidence of crushing, and contributing to an image that is both bolder and more defined. Skin tones maintain natural fidelity across various lighting conditions, revealing intimate facial details with stunning clarity. Although HDR usage is described as sparing, its effectiveness is evident in both explosive sequences and subtler details, from clothing textures to background elements. Despite the noted inconsistencies in grain handling, the "RED" 4K UHD Blu-ray presents a substantial visual improvement, marked by detailed clarity, balanced color saturation, and compelling depth, all of which come together to rejuvenate this action-packed narrative for aficionados and newcomers alike.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "RED" elevates its audio component to a new zenith with its Dolby Atmos track, harnessing the potential to envelope viewers in a thoroughly immersive acoustic experience. Esteemed for its pristine clarity and voluminous depth, the Atmos track distinguishes itself from its already laudable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 predecessor. The film initiates with modest auditory spectacles, accentuating dialogue and ambient sounds with remarkable precision. Yet, as the narrative escalates into frenetic action, the soundstage widens dramatically. Bullets whiz past with palpable intensity, car crashes thunder with ferocity, and every punch thrown lands with gut-punching low frequency effects (LFE). Special mention goes to the seamless integration of dialogue, ensuring clarity and fidelity across diverse sonic environments and dynamics, from whispers to shouts, without succumbing to distortion.

The Atmos track's genius lies in its manipulation of spatial audio, leveraging height channels to craft a convincingly three-dimensional soundscape where helicopters and bullets traverse overhead, leaving listeners ducking for cover. The meticulous attention to environmental sounds and action sequences propels the audience right into the heart of the chaos, achieving an almost tactile sensation of being amidst the action. This stellar mix showcases nuanced layering and deft balance between score, vocals, and effects, creating sequences that are not just heard but felt, making every gunshot and explosion resonate with an intensity that's both thrilling and meticulously crafted for an engaging auditory feast.

Furthermore, the dynamic range is commendably broad, adeptly handling everything from the subtlest ambient noise to the cacophony of action-packed sequences without losing balance or clarity. The LFE channels impress with their ability to deliver punchy and deep bass that enriches explosions and action sequences, ensuring that viewers not only see but feel every moment. Coupled with astute surround sound presentation, every sound element from screeching tires to the crackle of fire is accurately placed within the mix, moving with lifelike precision across the soundscape. Aerosmith's "Back In The Saddle" pumps through, illustrating how music complements rather than competes, accentuating the film’s energy without overshadowing essential sound effects and dialogue.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "RED" includes a curated selection of extras, merging essential elements highlighted in previous reviews with a focus on providing a comprehensive viewing experience. Notably, it incorporates an audio commentary by retired CIA Field Officer Robert Baer, offering unique insights into the film's espionage elements. Also included are deleted and extended scenes, adding depth to the narrative, along with the theatrical trailer. These extras are found both on the 4K disc and the bundled 1080p Blu-ray version, ensuring accessibility across different formats. Despite not porting over all the supplements detailed in prior reviews, this release strikes a balance between essential content and high-definition experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: With Retired CIA Field Officer Robert Baer.
• Deleted & Extended Scenes: Adds depth to the cinematic narrative.
• Theatrical Trailer: Provides a glimpse into the film's atmosphere and style.

Lionsgate's recent strategy in releasing a selection of catalog titles to 4K UHD, including "RED," has brought this action-packed, comedy-infused gem into the high-definition era. All featured catalog movies, shot on film, have been upgraded to 4K resolution and received Dolby Atmos enhancements, promising an immersive audio experience. Additionally, these titles boast Dolby Vision support, ensuring a visually stunning presentation, though an evaluation of this feature awaits proper equipment compatibility.

"RED," directed by Robert Schwentke, leverages its high-caliber cast's chemistry and comedic talents to blur the lines between over-the-top action and humor effectively. The narrative follows retired CIA agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) as he reassembles his old team to uncover a conspiratorial threat. The ensemble, including Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich, delivers a performance that is both ludicrous and exhilarating, blending explosive action sequences with comedic charm seamlessly. Despite occasional pacing issues, the film maintains its entertainment value through its noteworthy cast and action-packed storyline.

The movie's 4K UHD presentation underlines the importance of technical enhancements in reviving older titles for contemporary audiences. Through this upgrade, "RED" not only benefits from improved picture and sound quality but also offers a renewed viewing experience that highlights its unique blend of genres. The combination of a compelling plot, engaging performances, and advanced audio-visual improvements makes "RED" in 4K UHD a notable addition to the collection of any action-comedy enthusiast or fan of the talented ensemble cast.

RED" makes its way to the 4K UHD Blu-ray arena, delivering a potent mix of humor, action, and a stellar ensemble cast that breathes life into this explosive film. Although noted for its pacing issues, the film's audacious narrative style and remarkable casting choices—including Bruce Willis showing genuine enjoyment and John Malkovich's standout performance as the comically paranoid ex-agent—make for an engaging experience. The chemistry amongst the cast, including notable performances by Dame Helen Mirren and Morgan Freeman, and cameos that add a nostalgic touch, contribute significantly to the movie's charm and suspense. However, visually, this 4K UHD release is not without its flaws. Some viewers might find the grain in brighter scenes distracting, despite the overall increase in detail that accompanies the upgrade from a 2K digital intermediate (DI).

From a technical standpoint, this release sees a significant enhancement in audio-visual quality. The Dolby Atmos track, in particular, elevates the viewing experience with a richer, more immersive sound that outclasses its 1080p Blu-ray counterpart. While the visual upgrade might not be uniformly compelling across all scenes—owing to the occasional noisy grain—the HDR treatment ensures a natural look with improved blacks that contribute to a more pronounced image. Unfortunately, those looking for new extras will find this aspect unchanged from previous releases, as original special features are simply ported over.

In conclusion, the "RED" 4K UHD Blu-ray presents a fun, satisfying upgrade for fans of the film and collectors alike. With its indelible mix of humor, action-packed sequences, and an unforgettable cast, it offers a definitive viewing experience, especially with the impressive audio upgrade. While the visual improvements are evident, the grain issues might dissuade some. Yet, for an enhanced revisit with improved detail and sound, this release is highly recommended—keeping in mind to look out for it at a discounted price point for the best value.