The Hitman's Bodyguard Blu-ray Review

"The Hitman's Bodyguard" Blu-ray is an impressive visual presentation, predominantly captured using the Arri Alexa series. Lionsgate Films delivers a 1080p transfer in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, boasting remarkable clarity and stunning detail. The digital cinematography results in sharp, meticulously detailed images throughout the film. Fine details, such as blood splatters and facial lines, are captured with impeccable nuance. The color grading generally leans towards a neutral palette but incorporates cooler shades of blue and gray. At times, there is a distinct sunny halo effect around objects and people, reminiscent of J.J. Abrams' stylistic lens flares, enhancing the visual texture without compromising detail. Blacks are deep and inky, with no noticeable artifacting.

The transfer does bear the hallmarks of heavy post-production processing, including digital grain and nuanced color grading. While natural scenes exhibit vibrant primary colors, excellent detail levels, and rich blacks, processed segments can introduce noise and color inconsistencies. For example, darker complexions may turn green or orange, which can be aesthetically distracting. Despite some uneven application of color grading and processing—most prominently in certain nighttime or flashback scenes—the overall imagery remains largely intact. Scene compositing, particularly split screens, maintains superb detail, and shadow detail is commendable with minimal deficits. A 4K DI finish ensures high fidelity in fine details, even in severely distressed scenes.

In summary, while the intentional stylistic choices can occasionally affect consistency, "The Hitman's Bodyguard" Blu-ray offers a visually engaging experience with widespread appeal to both casual viewers and technical aficionados alike.

The Dolby Atmos track on "The Hitman’s Bodyguard" Blu-ray and 4K UHD editions is nothing short of exceptional. This energetic and immersive audio presentation envelops the listener with dynamic surround activity, making full use of all channels to deliver an unmatched auditory experience. From the rapid fire of bullets and thundering explosions to the nuanced reverberations of helicopter rotors overhead, the mix is vibrant and thoroughly engaging. Dialogue is rendered crisply and cleanly, maintaining clarity amidst the action-packed soundscape. The low-frequency effects (LFE) are equally impressive, providing tight, punchy bass that adds depth and power to gunshots and roaring car engines, while maintaining a balanced and nuanced presence across the sound spectrum.

This Dolby Atmos track stands out for its meticulous attention to detail in both high-octane action sequences and quieter scenes. The pinpoint placement of effects during chase scenes and helicopter sequences enhances the immersive quality, creating a constantly engaging audio environment. Outdoor scenes benefit from smart directionality and well-crafted ambient effects, contributing to a rich sense of atmosphere. Explosions and gunfire are delivered with authority, resonating with a robust fidelity that underscores the film's dynamic range. Even in more subdued moments, the sound design ensures that every subtlety, from environmental sounds to character dialogue, is perfectly articulated, ensuring a seamless auditory experience throughout the film.

Overall, the audio quality on "The Hitman’s Bodyguard" is of reference caliber. The Dolby Atmos track leverages every aspect of this advanced audio codec to provide a truly dynamic and immersive listening experience that complements the film's frenetic pace and comedic exchanges. Whether the scene demands bombastic LFE or delicate ambient nuances, this soundtrack delivers with precision and vigor, making it an exemplary showcase of modern audio engineering.

The extras included in the Blu Ray of "The Hitman's Bodyguard" offer a collection of insightful and enjoyable features, albeit quite brief. The outtakes deliver a few genuine laughs while the deleted, extended, and alternate scenes serve as interesting add-ons without substantially impacting the narrative. The featurettes like "The Hitman’s Bodyguard: A Love Story," "Hitman vs. Bodyguard," "Dangerous Women," and "Big Action in a Big World" provide behind-the-scenes glimpses with some engaging interviews and overviews, though they primarily cover EPK basics. Notably, Patrick Hughes' director's commentary is a valuable addition, offering an in-depth perspective on the film's making.

Extras included in this disc:

• Outtakes: Features humorous moments from the film.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes that were cut from the final film.
• Extended Scenes: Longer versions of scenes in the movie.
• Alternate Scenes: Different takes on existing scenes.
• "The Hitman’s Bodyguard: A Love Story" Featurette: A light-hearted compilation with interviews.
• "Hitman vs. Bodyguard" Featurette: Overview of the main characters.
• "Dangerous Women" Featurette: Highlights the female characters with decent interviews.
• "Big Action in a Big World" Featurette: Behind-the-scenes look at the film’s set pieces.
• Director’s Commentary: Insightful commentary by director Patrick Hughes.

"The Hitman's Bodyguard" brings together the high-octane charisma of Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds in a quintessential mismatched-buddy action-comedy. This dynamic duo channels classics like "Midnight Run" and "48 Hours," with Jackson's Darius Kincaid embodying a brash, foul-mouthed hitman and Reynolds' Michael Bryce as a once-esteemed, now-disgraced, protection agent. The narrative kicks off with Bryce's fall from grace following the assassination of a client. Desperately seeking redemption, he is roped into safeguarding Kincaid on a precarious journey to The Hague to testify against an Eastern European dictator, played with menacing flair by Gary Oldman.

The film leans heavily on the established formula of the genre: frenetic action sequences mixed with sharp-tongued banter. Bryce’s meticulous and risk-averse nature clashes humorously with Kincaid’s devil-may-care attitude, leading to a bevy of comedic exchanges and explosive confrontations. The plot is admittedly predictable, shunning suspense for a straightforward approach. The mole within Interpol is revealed early on, removing any potential for intrigue but focusing the audience's attention on the lead pair's onscreen chemistry. Salma Hayek delivers a noteworthy performance as Kincaid's equally formidable wife, adding a layer of eccentric humor with her prison antics.

While not reinventing the wheel, "The Hitman's Bodyguard" excels in its adherence to genre conventions and the electric performances of its leads. The film’s pacing has been critiqued for unnecessary diversions and excessive action sequences that dilate its two-hour runtime. Despite this, the comedic timing between Jackson and Reynolds ensures an entertaining experience, even if it sometimes feels scattered. The movie isn't groundbreaking; it's an unabashed crowd-pleaser filled with witty repartee, robust action, and enough charm to make it a fun watch.

"The Hitman's Bodyguard" delivers a robust action-comedy experience powered by the dynamic rapport between Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. Those familiar with Reynolds' signature sarcastic humor and Jackson's iconic brashness will find both performers in top form, skillfully navigating the film's blend of crude humor and explosive action sequences. While the storyline may lack originality and predictability looms large, the infectious energy and chemistry of its leads make for an entertaining watch. The film's technical components stand out, showcasing near-flawless video and a powerful audio mix, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

Lionsgate's Blu-ray release of "The Hitman's Bodyguard" does justice to the film’s visual and auditory strengths. Boasting a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio and featuring English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Core) audio, the technical specifications ensure an immersive sensory experience. Despite its structural flaws and uneven pacing, which occasionally detract from Reynolds and Jackson's screen time, the technical merits of the Blu-ray are first-rate. Bonus features, while limited, offer modest additional insights that fans might find worth exploring.

In conclusion, "The Hitman's Bodyguard" is more enjoyable than one might expect based on initial trailers. It’s not destined to be an action-comedy classic, but it compensates for its shortcomings with engaging performances and solid technical execution. For anyone seeking a fun, albeit predictable, cinematic ride filled with humor and high-octane action, this Blu-ray comes highly recommended. Ultimately, you’ll find it a worthy addition to your collection if entertainment is what you’re after.