John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum Blu-ray Review

"John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" is presented on Blu-ray by Lionsgate Films with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.40:1, derived from a 2K Digital Intermediate and shot using various Arri Alexa models. The film's visual presentation is largely stellar, offering deep blacks and a robust color palette highlighted by purples, teals, and blues. Despite the often dark and rainy locales, which occasionally result in minor crush and shadow detail deficits, the transfer excels in delivering vivid sequences with excellent detail levels, especially in the vibrant desert scenes that exude energy and rich detail. The interior scenes, such as those in the Director's fortress, feature lush colors but are somewhat obscured by the darkness.

This near-reference 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 encode brings the graphic violence and action of "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" to life with stunningly gorgeous visuals teeming with spirited colors. Sumptuous primaries dominate every scene, with nights bathed in blues and interior sequences glowing with lively teals. The neon lights saturate city streets with comic book-like reds and greens. The presentation in a 2.40:1 aspect ratio maintains pitch-perfect contrast and brilliantly crisp whites, despite some slight blooming in the hottest highlights. Black levels are deeply inky, ensuring strong visibility within the darkest corners. The razor-sharp clarity and definition persist throughout, with a few softer moments due to high-speed action blended with CGI.

Viewers can appreciate the intricate architectural designs of settings like the Continental and Casablanca buildings, as well as the griminess of the Bowery King’s lair. The finest details are meticulously rendered, from coins and clothes to the elaborate design of the Elder's tapestry haven. Facial complexions appear healthy and lifelike, revealing every wrinkle and pore with commendable fidelity. Overall, "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" on Blu-ray delivers a visually engaging experience that balances dynamic color palettes with detailed textures.

"John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum" features a stupendously energetic Dolby Atmos track that impressively announces its verticality from the first moment. An initial fantastically fun downward panning sound immediately establishes the dimensionality of the sound design. The bustling, rainy urban environment provides ample opportunities for ambient effects to surround and occasionally pass over the listener, offering an enveloping auditory experience. In addition, bone-crunching sound effects in fight scenes are realistically spread throughout the sound stage, enhancing the immersive impact of the action sequences. Dialogue is consistently rendered with clean, clear fidelity, ensuring it remains distinct amidst the dynamic auditory landscape.

Debuting on Blu-ray with the same demo-worthy Dolby Atmos soundtrack as its Ultra HD counterpart, this audio track offers excellent fidelity and an extremely wide dynamic range. The vertical panning initially enthusiastic manages to stay engaged throughout various action scenes. Whether it’s set against the backdrop of a high-octane chase or an intense fight sequence, the sound design makes full use of the Dolby Atmos capabilities, providing a compelling and immersive experience that engages the listener from all angles."

The Blu-ray extras for "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" provide a comprehensive and engaging behind-the-scenes experience. Fans will appreciate the diverse range of content, from in-depth interviews with the cast and crew to detailed explorations of fight choreography and production design. Key highlights include "Parabellum: Legacy of The High Table," which delves into the film's plot mechanics, and "Saddle Up Wick," which gives viewers an inside look at the film's thrilling horseback sequences. These well-produced featurettes are insightful and enhance the viewing experience by revealing the immense effort that went into creating the film's action-packed scenes and unique settings. Each extra is presented in high definition, ensuring a visually consistent experience in line with the main feature's quality.

Extras included in this disc:

• Parabellum: Legacy of The High Table: Interviews discussing plot and characters.
• Excommunicado: Focus on John Wick's exile.
• Check Your Sights: Insight into fight choreography.
• Saddle Up Wick: Behind-the-scenes of the horseback sequence.
• Bikes, Blades, Bridges, and Bits: Details on set pieces and filming history.
• Continental in the Desert: Overview of Moroccan settings.
• Dog Fu: Look into Sofia’s dog sequences.
• House of Transparency: On production design.
• Shot by Shot: Editing process discussion.
• Theatrical Trailer 1.
• Theatrical Trailer 2.
• John Wick Hex Game Trailer.
• Behind the Scenes of John Wick Hex: Exploration of the related video game.

"John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" starts with a bang and never lets up, maintaining the relentless, high-octane action sequences that have become a hallmark of the franchise. Picking up directly after the events of the second film, John (Keanu Reeves) finds himself on the run through a vividly realized, rain-drenched Manhattan akin to a scene from Blade Runner. The neon-lit cityscape and elaborate set pieces underscore the series' commitment to stylistic flair. As John is declared excommunicado with a $14 million bounty on his head, he's pursued by a myriad of assassins, leading to an array of spectacular fight scenes that defy the boundaries of conventional action choreography.

This installment also introduces a wider narrative arc hinted at through its subtitle, Parabellum, meaning "prepare for war." Franchise regulars like the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) and Winston (Ian McShane) return, each preparing for their own confrontations with The High Table—an omnipresent, sinister organization. The addition of Sofia (Halle Berry), a fellow assassin with her own ties to John, expands the universe and adds impressive depth to the fight sequences. There’s a conscious effort to reveal fragments of John's past, such as his connection with an enigmatic ballet instructor, the Director (Anjelica Huston), which adds dimension but occasionally distracts from the primary narrative thrust.

The inclusion of new adversaries like the Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon) who enforces The High Table’s rules, and Zero (Mark Dacascos), a sushi chef assassin eager to challenge John, brings fresh dynamics to the storyline. Despite some plot elements edging into overly fantastical territory—like John’s desert journey to consult with the Elder (Saïd Taghmaoui)—the film’s non-stop action and graphic violence are executed with such impeccable style and choreography that it maintains the undoubted insanity intrinsic to the series.

"John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" is a fitting continuation of the high-octane, meticulously choreographed action series that fans have come to cherish. Helmed by Chad Stahelski, this installment pushes the envelope further, diving into the enigmatic world of assassins. The Blu-ray release showcases impressive technical artistry, with a near-reference quality HD video presentation capturing every pulse-pounding moment in stunning detail and a demo-worthy Dolby Atmos soundtrack that immerses viewers in the relentless action and intricate soundscapes. While it expands on the dark mythology surrounding John Wick, some elements leave more questions than answers regarding The High Table's deeper motives.

Visually, the Blu-ray is nothing short of spectacular. The vibrant contrasts, deep blacks, and meticulous attention to detail render each fight scene and set piece into breathtaking displays of visual craftsmanship. The fight choreography is as brutal and intricate as ever, with each punch, kick, and shot rendered with startling clarity in HD. Accompanied by a robust Dolby Atmos track, the sound design is impeccable, providing crisp dialogue and immersive surround effects that enhance the overall viewing experience. However, the bonus features are relatively modest but sufficient to satisfy fans of behind-the-scenes content.

In conclusion, "John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum" effectively sets the stage for future confrontations with a solid mix of high-stakes action and intricate lore exploration. Its Blu-ray release ensures that the audiovisual presentation matches the film's ambitious scope. For enthusiasts of the franchise and action aficionados, this release comes highly recommended.