John Wick: Chapter 4 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Lionsgate's 4K UHD Blu-ray of "John Wick: Chapter 4" is a visual marvel, encapsulating the legendary cinematography of Dan Laustsen. Captured digitally at 4.5K resolution using ARRI ALEXA LF and ALEXA Mini LF cameras, and finished at a 4K digital intermediate, the film unfolds with exquisite detail and grandeur. Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.39:1, the HEVC (H.265) encoding perfectly complements the segments shot with Arri cameras, offering razor-sharp clarity, impeccable fine details, and superior texture resolution. From the beads of sweat on John Wick’s forehead to the intricately detailed fabric of his suits, the image quality is astounding, revealing every nuance in the textures.

The UHD presentation shines with Dolby Vision and HDR10, significantly enhancing the film's color palette and contrast. The neon-soaked visual aesthetics typical of the franchise are displayed in stunning clarity. The image quality in scenes such as the Osaka Continental, bathed in rich reds and blues, is particularly noteworthy. Shadows maintain exceptional detail, avoiding any crush, and inky blacks provide profound depth, enriching the night sequences throughout the film. The amber glows of dawn and dusk deliver breathtaking visuals, precisely outlined against cool bluish interiors.

Impressive HDR implementation elevates this transfer to a demo-worthy status. Colors are incredibly vibrant and well-saturated; neon lights and fiery explosions leap off the screen, contrasting brilliantly against black backgrounds. Notably, night scene cinematography benefits greatly from HDR's enhancements, bringing out subtleties in dark environments that standard Blu-ray presentations would lose. Even scenes with complex lighting schemes—like nightclub battles bathed in bright neon lights—remain sharp and vivid. This disc sets a new benchmark for reference-quality video transfer in modern home cinema.

The Dolby Atmos track in "John Wick: Chapter 4" is a masterclass in immersive audio design. It delivers a ferociously dynamic experience that engages all channels with relentless precision. From the thunderous low-frequency extensions during opening combat sequences to the subtle ambient sounds in quieter scenes, this mix encapsulates the essence of high-quality cinematic audio. Gunfire, explosions, and vigorous hand-to-hand combat resonate with remarkable clarity and depth, making full use of the top and surround speakers. The infamous dragon-fire shotgun blasts stand out with their potent bass notes swirling around the listener.

Dialogue throughout the film is balanced and clear, maintaining clarity even amidst the chaos of intense action scenes. The musical score, crafted by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, harmoniously intertwines with the on-screen pandemonium, enriched by strong bass undertones that bolster the viewing experience. Height channels come to life with bullets whizzing past, glass shattering, and debris cascading from above, ensuring a profoundly enveloping audio environment.

In summary, "John Wick: Chapter 4" boasts an extraordinarily engaging Dolby Atmos track defined by its intricate layering and impactful dynamics. The interplay between directional effects, robust bass, and pristine dialogue makes this a standout entry in the series’ audio legacy. Surround and height channels are exploited to their fullest extent, creating a truly enveloping soundscape that elevates the action-packed narrative to new auditory heights. This track is undeniably demo-worthy and sets a high bar for home audio entertainment.

Lionsgate's 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "John Wick: Chapter 4" offers a robust collection of behind-the-scenes featurettes that cumulatively span over 77 minutes, available across both 4K and Blu-ray discs. These extras provide an in-depth look at the film's various aspects, from the intricate action sequences and character motivations to set designs and cinematography. While the individual featurettes are concise, averaging around five minutes each, they richly cover subjects like Keanu Reeves' rigorous training, Donnie Yen's blind assassin, and the elaborate one-shot sequences. Though some viewers may find the fragmented format less convenient than a consolidated documentary, there's no shortage of insightful content for aficionados of the franchise.

Extras included in this disc:

• Chad and Keanu: Through Wick and Thin: Overview of Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves' collaboration.
• Train Like a Killer: Coverage of Keanu Reeves' intense training sessions.
• Making A Killing: Exploration of set design and cinematography.
• The Psychology of a Killer: Insights into character motivations.
• The Blind Leading the Fight: Focus on Donnie Yen's portrayal of Caine.
• Suit Up / Shoot Up: Discussion on costume design.
• Packing a Punch: Behind-the-scenes look at major action set pieces.
• One Killer Shot: Analysis of a single-take action sequence.
• Killing at the Speed of Traffic: Examination of the traffic fight scene at the Arc de Triomphe.
• A Shot in the Dark: Challenges of night shooting.
• In Honor of the Dead: Homage to cinematic influences.
• Theatrical Trailer 1
• Theatrical Trailer 2
• The Continental: Sneak peek at the upcoming series.

"John Wick: Chapter 4" marks a triumphant continuation and possible conclusion to the storied action franchise. Directed by Chad Stahelski, this near three-hour spectacle extends the saga's penchant for elaborate world-building and hyper-stylized action. Picking up directly after "Parabellum," the plot centers around John Wick (Keanu Reeves) regaining strength and waging war against the High Table. With relentless enemies like the Marquis Vincent de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård) and former friend-turned-foe Caine (Donnie Yen), the film's narrative evolves into an intricately choreographed mélange of vengeance and survival.

Technically adept, "Chapter 4" showcases a stunning blend of visual and audio fidelity that complements its frenetic pacing. The film embraces a vibrant aesthetic shift toward blues and yellows, deviating from its usual purples and teals, enhancing its exotic locales from the neon-lit Osaka Continental to a chaotic German nightclub. The Dolby Vision in 4K impressively handles these color dynamics, bringing each scene to life with striking clarity. Additionally, the film's score and sound design, powered by Dolby Atmos, deliver palpable impacts in every fight sequence, emphasizing gunfire, hand-to-hand combat, and vehicular mayhem with visceral intensity.

The film's cast elevates it further, with veteran actors like Laurence Fishburne and Ian McShane reprising their roles alongside exciting additions. Donnie Yen’s depiction of the blind assassin Caine introduces a new layer of combat artistry, often stealing scenes with his kinetic performances. Meanwhile, Skarsgård’s portrayal of the Marquis provides a cold and calculated villainy that contrasts well with Wick's relentless drive. Scott Adkins also delivers a memorable performance despite being heavily disguised, contributing to the film's layered and flamboyant action sequences.

Overall, "John Wick: Chapter 4" brilliantly combines innovative martial arts choreography, vivid cinematography, and elaborate set pieces to extend its legacy as a genre-defining series. This installment not only stays true to the original's essence but also transcends genre limitations, making it a must-watch for action enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.

"John Wick: Chapter 4" presents a relentlessly engaging and visually stunning action extravaganza that truly excels in holding the audience's attention across its nearly three-hour runtime. Keanu Reeves, in his portrayal of John Wick, commands the screen with a remarkable blend of stoicism and intensity. Directed by Chad Stahelski, the film combines imaginative and innovative action sequences with a uniquely over-engineered underworld setting. The technically proficient script by Shay Hatten, Michael Finch, and Derek Kolstad ensures there's never a dull moment. Indeed, the film's kinetic pace propels it forward with considerable momentum, overcoming the traditional pitfalls of longer cinema.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation from Lionsgate is an absolute triumph, featuring native 4K resolution and Dolby Vision HDR that accentuates every rich detail and vibrant color of the film's dynamic cinematography. The Dolby Atmos audio mix further immerses viewers with its meticulously designed soundscapes, ensuring that each gunshot and explosion leaves a visceral impact. This release is top-tier reference material for home theater enthusiasts, underscoring its status as essential demo content. Additionally, the package offers an array of engaging bonus features that delve into the film's production process and the expansive lore of the John Wick universe.

In summary, "John Wick: Chapter 4" continues the franchise's tradition of delivering high-octane action with style and substance. It may not convert those previously unimpressed by the series, but it is an essential watch for fans who crave more of John Wick's ballistic artistry. This 4K UHD Blu-ray release stands as a paragon of audiovisual excellence, making it a must-own for aficionados of modern action cinema. Highly recommended for those who appreciate meticulously crafted action spectacles.