Anna 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Anna's 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation boasts an upscale from its original 2K digital intermediate to a 3840 x 2160p resolution, making the most of the Arri Alexa cameras' 2.8 to 3.4K shooting resolution. Despite not being native 4K, the image benefits remarkably from this upscale, showcasing remarkable detail clarity and texture rendition, particularly in skin textures and the intricate weaves of clothing. The video is presented in a widescreen 2.39:1 aspect ratio, utilizing 10-bit video depth along with a wide color gamut (WCG) and HDR, notably Dolby Vision, thereby enhancing the visual aesthetic significantly. This meticulous encoding, using the HEVC (H.265) codec, supports a pristine source free from digital compression issues, which is quite evident in the clean, detailed imagery displayed across a Panasonic 65DX902B Ultra HD 4K TV setup.

The HDR and WCG collaboratively enrich Anna's color palette—contrary to its not-so-vivid raw footage—bringing life to various scenes with enhanced primaries that splendidly set tones and moods throughout the cinematic piece. While the overall color scheme does not always scream vibrancy, Dolby Vision's handling of highlights contributes to an engaging viewing experience, especially in model shoots and panoramic views of cities like New York and Paris. Black levels are commendably deep, and although the image can appear flat at moments, the shadow details and the strong ends of the contrast spectrum add significant depth and a sense of realism to the presentation.

Moreover, the 4K transfer excels in delivering nuanced details, from mundane objects to grand city landscapes, bolstered by natural lighting that amplifies scene depth and detail clarity. While some may argue that the presentation doesn't fully meet the expectancies for a film shot with such a specific visual ambition, it indeed offers upticks in fine detail and color fidelity. The Dolby Vision grading, together with consistent and lifelike flesh tones and deep blacks, ensures that despite its few shortcomings—like occasionally subdued color saturation—the transfer does notable justice to Besson's aesthetic vision and Thierry Arbogast's cinematography, making Anna's Ultra HD Blu-ray release a solid addition to one's collection, particularly for aficionados of visually inspired filmmaking.

The Dolby Atmos track for the 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Anna" delivers an effectively immersive audio experience, especially noteworthy during its action-packed sequences. The utilization of surround and overhead channels excels in creating a compelling atmosphere, from bustling street sounds and office environments to the dynamic ambiance of fashion shoots. The action scenes, particularly highlighted by an intensive restaurant standoff featuring a blend of punches, kicks, gunshots, and shattering crockery, demonstrate the surround field’s capabilities impressively. Such sequences are further enhanced by well-employed bass, adding substantial impact without overwhelming, and a depth that complements Eric Serra's engaging score, immersing the viewer fully in the film's sonic environment.

The mix makes judicious use of the Dolby Atmos platform, with a special note on its active engagement through both atmospheric and discrete effects. This approach ensures that each sound object placed above or at ear level enriches the onscreen events, creating a layered and broadened soundstage that is both involving and precisely balanced. The blend of music, weapon fire, and smaller ambient sounds not only underscores the film's action but also adds texture to quieter moments, ensuring clarity and directionality of dialogue.

Overall, the audio presentation of "Anna" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands out for its dynamic range and detailed sound design. While it may not be the most extravagant Atmos track reviewed in terms of sheer auditory spectacle, its strength lies in consistent discrete channelization and an almost subliminal enhancement of the film's suspenseful moments. The soundtrack contributes effectively to the momentum of key scenes, ensuring that dialogue remains crisp and clearly anchored within the rich tapestry of ambient and action-driven sounds. This Dolby Atmos track adeptly compliments the source material, drawing viewers deeper into the narrative when it matters most.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray extras for "Anna" provide a concise, yet comprehensive glimpse into the making of the film through its four main featurettes. Each segment meticulously delves into different facets of the filmmaking process, offering insights and behind-the-scenes looks that are engaging for both cinephiles and casual viewers alike. "Dressing a Doll: The Costumes of Anna" and "Anatomy of a Scene: The Restaurant Fight" offer detailed explorations into the costume design by Olivier Bériot and the choreography of one of the film's most memorable scenes, respectively. Meanwhile, "Unnesting a Russian Doll: Making Anna" compiles interviews and film clips for a broader making-of perspective, and "Constructing the Car Chase" showcases the meticulous planning behind one of the movie's high-octane sequences. The digital and physical distribution ensures accessibility for all types of collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• Dressing a Doll: The Costumes of Anna: A deep dive into the wardrobe's creation by Olivier Bériot.
• Anatomy of a Scene: The Restaurant Fight: Breaks down the choreography and execution of a key fight scene.
• Unnesting a Russian Doll: Making Anna: A compilation of interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and movie clips offering an overall look at the film’s production.
• Constructing the Car Chase: An exploration into the planning and execution of the car chase scene with stunt coordinator David Julienne.

In "Anna," directed by Luc Besson, viewers are presented with a narrative that is both familiar and yet disjointed due to its intricate timeline shifts and an air of déjà vu that permeates the film. Drawing heavily from the cinematic DNA of “La Femme Nikita” and sprinkled with elements of “Atomic Blonde” and “Léon: The Professional,” Besson's latest venture walks through well-trodden ground, offering an action-packed thriller centered around a strong female lead. Despite competent production and a storyline that includes clever timeline shifts to unveil key plot points, the movie struggles to escape the shadow of its predecessors, feeling like a rehash rather than a fresh take on the femme-fatale-spy genre. The casting of Sasha Luss as Anna offers a visually appealing lead, yet her lack of chemistry with co-stars and an underdeveloped character arc do little to elevate the material beyond its surface-level engagement.

The use of overlapping timelines and frequent flashbacks aims to enrich the narrative but instead confuses, leaving the audience to untangle the web of Anna’s complex life as a KGB assassin turned double agent. The film’s attempt to delve into Anna’s psychological trauma and her quest for freedom amidst her entanglements with Russian and American spy agencies ends up muddled, overshadowed by the film's stylistic choices and a focus on aesthetic over substance. Helen Mirren’s portrayal of Olga, Anna's Russian handler, stands out, providing some much-needed gravitas and complexity to the otherwise formulaic plot. However, even Mirren’s performance is not enough to salvage a story that feels like an artificial echo of Besson’s earlier, more vibrant works.

"Anna" operates within a grey zone of cinematic familiarity, employing high-stakes action and espionage yet failing to fully engage due to its lack of originality and depth. While Besson's visual flair is evident, and the film showcases moments of intrigue through its narrative structure, the overall impact is lessened by tepid performances and an over-reliance on genre tropes. Consequently, the movie feels like a missed opportunity to explore its titular character's psyche and circumstances in a meaningful way, leaving a sense of apathy rather than anticipation. For audiences new to Besson's oeuvre, "Anna" might offer some entertainment, but for those acquainted with his work, it serves as a reminder of the dynamic storytelling that once was.

Anna," directed by Luc Besson, emerges as a commendably executed action thriller that nonetheless struggles to stand out amidst a well-trodden narrative path. The film is critiqued for being a derivative of its predecessors, failing to offer anything new or captivating enough to warrant its existence alongside previous, more original works by Besson himself. While the movie delivers on technical aspects, boasting flashy sequences and visually pleasing cinematography, these attributes alone are insufficient to counterbalance the general sense of viewer disengagement due to its predictable plot and underdeveloped characters. This sense of déjà vu permeates the film, leaving audiences craving more substance over style.

In terms of the 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation, "Anna" presents an impressive upgrade that might appeal to the home theater enthusiast. The up-scaled image quality shines with vivid details, deep blacks, and well-balanced colors, lending the film a visual appeal that mirrors its high production values. The inclusion of a Dolby Atmos soundtrack enhances the viewing experience with its immersive sound field and robust bass, ensuring that action sequences resonate well in the home environment. However, the package falls short in offering substantial extras, providing a limited selection of featurettes that do little to add value or delve deeper into the filmmaking process.

Conclusively, while "Anna" benefits from a technically proficient 4K UHD Blu-ray release that visually and sonically complements its action-centric narrative, it ultimately fails to transcend its formulaic roots. The film’s lack of originality and character depth, matched with a sparse collection of supplemental materials, suggests that only those new to the genre or die-hard fans of Besson's aesthetics may find it a worthwhile addition to their collection. For others, particularly those familiar with the genre’s better examples, "Anna" may not present a compelling case to justify its upgrade or acquisition in this format.