Kingsman: The Golden Circle 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Kingsman: The Golden Circle" makes its mark on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray with a presentation that demands attention, albeit with some caveats due to its digital intermediate limitations. Filmed digitally at 2.8K but finished at 2K, this 2160p transfer, encoded with HEVC / H.265 and showcased in a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1, still manages to dazzle. Despite the technical bottleneck, the visual output benefits immensely from High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) enhancement, bringing a significant uptick in clarity, detail, and color vibrancy over its 1080p counterpart. Scenes such as Julianne Moore's fortress exhibit a kaleidoscopic range of candy colors, particularly the reds which are profoundly richer, making the overall imagery pop with an unparalleled vibrancy. However, it's noteworthy that even amid this excellence, there are moments of softness and minor judder in rapid movement scenes, slightly marring an otherwise sterling presentation.

The color grading significantly improves on the UHD version, employing a wider palette that enhances both the film's deliberately vivid aesthetic and its darker scenes. Shadow detail is notably refined, allowing for deeper and more accurate blacks that contribute to an appreciable sense of depth and texture—elements such as the Kingsmen's suits and Elton John's flamboyant costumes benefit from this sharpness. However, despite these improvements, certain segments exhibit a lean towards oversaturation, pushing reds to the brink and occasionally rendering skin tones somewhat unnatural. Moreover, while the UHD translation manages to transcend its Blu-ray counterpart in many regards, it does encounter slight pitfalls in contrast management, with whites occasionally feeling overemphasized.

On the technical front, "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" on 4K UHD Blu-ray exemplifies the strides made in home cinema technology, albeit not without hiccups. Detail resolution sees a commendable leap forward, with close-ups and textures revealing intricacies previously lost in lesser formats. The digital cinematography remains clean across varied lighting conditions and CGI-heavy scenes maintain their intended appeal under HDR's enhancement. Nevertheless, early scenes suffer from less-than-ideal black levels but gradually find their footing as the film progresses. Overall, while not without its flaws—such as minor noise and aliasing in fast pans—the disc serves as a testament to Fox's strong encode work, cementing its place as a reference-worthy addition to any 4K collection despite the source material's inherent limitations.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" boasts an immersive audio experience that significantly enhances the movie's thrilling action sequences and vibrant score. Transitioning from the competent DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track of the 1080p Blu-ray, the Dolby Atmos track on the UHD version introduces a superior sonic dimension. With its foundation in Dolby TrueHD 7.1, the Atmos mix does not fundamentally reinvent the track but instead adds layers of depth and immersion through skillful use of overhead channels and precise object placement. The result is a tangible level of immersion that enriches key sequences with added dimension, bringing gunfire, explosions, and the characteristic Kingsman gadgetry to life with a delightful audacity that fills the room.

Dialogue remains perfectly clear and well-prioritized amidst the cacophony of action, ensuring that every line is delivered with clarity. Meanwhile, LFE channels are utilized to their fullest, delivering impactful, room-shaking bass that accentuates the action without overwhelming it. However, some reviews note a discrepancy in the weight given to certain sounds, suggesting a slight imbalance in LFE execution. Despite this, the overall dynamics are described as loud and forceful, with the soundtrack and score injecting vibrant life into the film's atmosphere. The height channels are effectively employed to add to the movie’s explosive and dynamic moments, from helicopter sounds to missile strikes, enriching the auditory experience without distracting from the on-screen events.

Beyond the thunderous action scenes, the soundstage impressively conveys a broad variety of background activities and environments, from bustling cities to dense jungles, creating an expansive auditory landscape. Nonetheless, some quieter scenes reportedly lack the same level of auditory detail, possibly detracting from the immersion in less action-intensive moments. Regardless, the audio mix excels in clarity and separation during both bombastic sequences and more nuanced musical numbers, demonstrating a commendable balance and fidelity that makes "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" a sonic treat on UHD Blu-ray.

The "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" 4K UHD Blu-ray presents a substantial assortment of extra features, exclusively available on the accompanying 1080p Blu-ray disc. Despite the absence of any bonus material on the 4K disc itself, the Blu-ray compensates with over two hours of extensive content. The centerpiece is a comprehensive, multi-chaptered documentary dubbed "Kingsman: Inside the Golden Circle", stretching nearly two hours and delving into the film's production through nine detailed segments. From exploring narrative elements and character development to examining technical aspects like visual effects and action choreography, it offers an in-depth look at the creative process behind the movie. Additionally, the package includes "Black Cab Chaos: Anatomy of a Killer Chase", a gripping featurette focused on the film's opening action sequence, alongside a vast Kingsman Archive filled with conceptual artwork and behind-the-scenes stills. The exclusion of extras on the UHD disc is somewhat disappointing, but the breadth and detail of the content provide significant value, enriching fans' understanding and appreciation of this action-packed sequel.

Extras included in this disc:

• KINGSMAN: INSIDE THE GOLDEN CIRCLE: Multi-chaptered Documentary

  • Distilling The Story: Kingsman Returns
  • Trafficker, Tailor, Southerner, Spy
  • Poppy’s Special Guest: Elton John
  • Nefarious Lairs & High-Falutin’ Headquarters
  • Suited And Booted
  • Weapons of Choice
  • Brothers In Arms
  • Doomsday Protocol: Visual Effects
  • End Game

• Black Cab Chaos: Anatomy of a Killer Chase: Focus on the film's opening chase scene

• Kingsman Archives: Extensive gallery including Concept Art and Stills

Matthew Vaughn's "Kingsman: The Golden Circle," the eagerly anticipated follow-up to the hyper-stylized spy caper "Kingsman: The Secret Service," dives headfirst into a whirlpool of action, comedy, and unabashed absurdity. Despite retaining the first film's penchant for over-the-top spectacle, this sequel struggles to recapture the original's fresh charm. As we are catapulted into another world-threatening adventure, the film simultaneously broadens its geographical and thematic horizons by introducing the Statesman, an American counterpart to the Kingsman agency. This cross-Atlantic alliance, formed in the wake of the Kingsman headquarters' destruction, aims to thwart a cheerful yet malevolent antagonist portrayed by Julianne Moore. Moore's performance as Poppy Adams, a villain with a twisted sense of nostalgia and a deadly agenda, is among the sequel's highlights, infusing vivacity into her role with devilish charisma.

The sequel's narrative sprawls, at times feeling bloated, as it attempts to juxtapose its central mission with numerous subplots, including character resurrections and introductions that feel more like fan service than essential storytelling. Despite its missteps in pacing and plot coherence, "The Golden Circle" manages to dazzle visually. The film's 4K UHD presentation is noteworthy for its crisp imagery and dynamic sound design, which will undoubtedly appeal to home theater enthusiasts. Action sequences, notably the opening car chase through London and a stylized shoot-out featuring Elton John in a surprising cameo, exploit the format's strengths, offering a feast of visual and auditory detail that underscores the film's commitment to heightened reality.

However, beneath its glossy exterior and high-octane set pieces lies a critique of the war on drugs, albeit delivered with a heavy hand and interspersed with eccentric humor that includes aggressive robotic dogs and barroom brawls. While "The Golden Circle" expands the Kingsman universe with an array of new characters and settings, the sequel has difficulty maintaining narrative momentum, occasionally getting lost in its efforts to outdo its predecessor. Despite these challenges, Taron Egerton solidifies his role as Eggsy, embodying the suave yet streetwise protagonist with an earnestness that anchors the film amidst its swirling spectacle. In sum, "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" offers a muddled yet entertaining continuation of the franchise that, while not without its flaws, delivers enough style and action to satisfy fans awaiting another dose of Vaughn's audacious vision.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" stands as a supreme example of technical excellence in home entertainment, despite the film's divisive reception. The package offers a significant improvement in picture quality over its HD SDR counterpart, though not leaps and bounds ahead, it provides discernible enhancements that enthusiasts will appreciate. Coupled with an exceptional Dolby Atmos audio track, the aural and visual experience is undeniably impressive, adding depth and vibrancy to the film's over-the-top action sequences and richly detailed environments. Additionally, the release is complemented by a comprehensive collection of supplements that delve deeper into the making and concept of this high-octane sequel.

Critiques of the film's content, noting its tendency towards excess and a lack of the original's fresh appeal, juxtapose its technical achievements. The sequel, described as both "weirdly over padded and underdeveloped," struggles to recapture the magic of its predecessor despite moments that echo its charm and wit. However, for fans of the franchise and newcomers intrigued by its blend of humor, action, and style, this 4K UHD release provides a stellar home viewing experience. The inclusion of well-crafted extra features offers further insight into the franchise's evolving universe, inviting viewers to explore beyond the surface level.

In conclusion, while "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" may polarize opinions regarding its narrative and execution, its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation is unequivocally top-notch. Boasting superior video and audio quality alongside engaging bonus content, this release represents a worthwhile investment for fans and collectors alike. Whether revisiting the world of Kingsman or experiencing its peculiar brand of espionage for the first time, viewers are assured of a technically outstanding home cinema experience that showcases the film's dynamic action and vibrant visuals to their fullest extent.