American Assassin 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

American Assassin" arrives on 4K UHD Blu-ray with a solid HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer that impresses with an uptick in detail and texture clarity that admirably overcomes its technical limitations. Despite being shot digitally at 3.4K, the film was mastered with a 2K digital intermediate. This has resulted in a presentation that, while technically restricted, showcases an impressive degree of upscaling, bringing out finer details, enhancing shadow detail, and offering a richer color palette thanks to the HDR and wide color gamut implementations. The film is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1/2.40:1 widescreen, viewed on equipment including a Samsung UE55KS8000 Ultra HD TV and a Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray player.

The video quality exhibits striking improvements over its Blu-ray counterpart, especially in scenes showcasing intricate backgrounds and facial textures, where every wrinkle and blemish is rendered with stunning clarity. However, certain indoor conversation scenes reveal some softness, and minor aliasing may be observed along sharp edges. Notwithstanding these slight inconsistencies, the HDR enhancement significantly enriches black levels, providing a greater sense of depth and detail even in the darkest scenes - although, some poorly-lit interiors may still appear slightly murky. The application of Dolby Vision, over HDR10, accentuates these improvements further, offering deeper contrasts, more dynamic colors, and better-defined highlights.

Colors benefit remarkably from the wider color gamut, breathing life into natural landscapes and urban environments alike. Earth tones appear more vibrant and nuanced, contributing to a more compelling visual narrative that captures the film's varied locales from dusty Middle Eastern streets to the reflective waters of Tripoli with greater fidelity and warmth. The Dolby Vision HDR upgrade plays a crucial role in making "American Assassin" a visually arresting experience on 4K UHD, notwithstanding its narrative or technical shortcomings, presenting a compelling case for the format's capability to enhance cinematic storytelling through superior image quality.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "American Assassin" features a Dolby Atmos track that effortlessly supports its thrilling narrative and action-packed sequences with a robust Dolby TrueHD 7.1 core. This audio presentation impresses with its ability to maintain dialogue clarity and coherence, particularly across the frontal array, while also enriching the background with atmospheric details and environmental nuances. Engagements such as gunfire, explosions, and dynamic training sequences utilize the surround sound capabilities effectively, bringing an immersive quality that is both engaging and impressive. The score, despite being described as generic, complements the film's pace and adds depth to the auditory experience, ensuring a consistently rich and enveloping soundscape.

Listeners can anticipate a moderately active Dolby Atmos surround mix that intelligently employs audio objects, including atmospherics and discrete effects. The sound field springs to life during high-octane scenes, with notable precision in the placement of sound elements that enhances the closeness of close-quarters combat, the rush of vehicle pursuits, and the impact of the climactic bang. This balanced integration of atmosphere and detailed object placement complements the film's thematic tones well, providing a natural depth to the orchestrated elements of the score that enriches the overall listening experience.

However, while the Dolby Atmos soundtrack delivers largely on its promise of an outstanding auditory experience, some aspects leave room for improvement. The ceiling channels are underutilized, offering limited activity beyond occasional effects like echoing footsteps or overhead helicopter presence, missing opportunities to fully immerse the listener. Despite this, the front soundstage carries the bulk of the action with adept channel balance and off-screen effects. The mid-range is dynamic, presenting high fidelity and clarity even during the film's loudest moments. Crucially, vocals remain distinct amidst intense action, ensuring prioritization of dialogue. The low-end response is palpable and forceful, lending significant depth to gunfire and explosions, with moments where the bass extends into ultra-low frequencies for an added sense of dimensionality.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "American Assassin" stands out for its comprehensive inclusion of extras directly on the Ultra HD disc, a practice Lionsgate has commendably adopted, unlike some studios. This eliminates the need to switch discs to access the additional content. The extras, which are mostly featurette-based and approximately 10 minutes long each, delve into various aspects of the film's production. Key highlights include a making-of overview, insights into Dylan O'Brien's preparation for the lead role, and explorations of the supporting characters portrayed by Kitsch and Keaton. Additionally, there's an emphasis on the training and stunt work, as well as the exotic locations featured in the movie. The package is completed with a substantial half-hour Q&A session with the cast, enriching the viewers' understanding of the film’s creation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Target Acquired: Creating an American Assassin: A holistic overview with behind-the-scenes insights.
• Finding Mitch Rapp: Dylan O’Brien: An exploration of O'Brien's approach to embodying the lead character.
• Transfer of Power: Hurley and Ghost: A discussion on the dynamic between Kitsch's and Keaton's characters.
• Weaponized: Training and Stunts: Insight into the action choreography and actor preparation.
• In the Field: Locations: A look at the exotic filming locations and their selection process.
• Alamo Drafthouse Q&A with Dylan O’Brien and Taylor Kitsch: A post-screening interview with the actors.
• Digital HD Copy: For convenient digital access to the film.

American Assassin" embarks viewers on a gritty and brutal journey into the world of CIA counter-terrorism, introducing Mitch Rapp, portrayed with intense fervor by Dylan O'Brien, as a new addition to the spy genre's illustrious roster. Pulling elements from the familiar - a touch of Bourne's espionage, a hint of Jack Reacher's raw combat, and a dose of Jack Ryan's strategic mind – the film forges a unique path with its 18-rated violence and brutal realism that sets it apart. Based on Vince Flynn's novels, Rapp's transition from tragedy-stricken everyman to a lethal CIA recruit under the tutelage of Michael Keaton's seasoned Stan Hurley offers an engaging, if somewhat derivative, narrative that promises more substance in potential sequels.

Michael Keaton delivers a standout performance as Stan Hurley, injecting a gritty realism into the film with his portrayal of the grizzled veteran. His mentorship to O'Brien's Rapp is pivotal, providing a grounded sense of gravity amidst the often unbearably brutal action sequences. The film navigates its way through a plot thick with conspiracy, exploring themes of vengeance and duty. However, despite its earnest attempt, "American Assassin" occasionally falters under the weight of its own clichés and predictable twists, echoing familiar beats from the espionage thriller genre without always delivering the expected punch.

Technically, the movie shines in its 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation, boasting impeccable visuals that immerse viewers in its action-packed world. The cinematography and execution of action sequences are crisp, benefitting greatly from the enhanced resolution and color dynamics offered by the format. While its narrative and character development may not break new ground, "American Assassin" stands as a competent entry into the spy thriller genre, offering enough visceral thrills and robust performances to maintain viewer engagement, anchored by a strong showing from its seasoned and emerging cast.

American Assassin" emerges on the 4K UHD Blu-ray scene with a presentation that appears to intricately balance its technical achievements against its narrative shortcomings. The film itself, though subjected to criticism for its derivative nature and underwhelming plot, finds a beacon of salvaging grace in Michael Keaton's compelling performance. His portrayal injects a palpable vigor, potentially stabilizing the movie's future considerations for a franchise. Yet, the narrative is often critiqued for treading the familiar grounds of espionage thrillers without carving out a unique identity, echoed by sentiments highlighting its middling excitement and a plot that leans towards the absurd. Despite these narrative missteps and a hit-or-miss engagement with the characters apart from Keaton, the movie's execution includes commendably executed action sequences that might cater to fans of the genre seeking adrenaline-fueled entertainment.

On the technical forefront, Lionsgate's UK Ultra HD Blu-ray release of "American Assassin" is lauded for its superior video and audio quality, presenting an excellent Ultra HD video rendering including Dolby Vision HDR, alongside an immersive Dolby Atmos sound mix. Such high caliber technical presentation upholds the film's few but notably intense action scenes, underscoring the enhanced viewing experience these features provide. The inclusion of a solid selection of extras further enriches this package, rendering it a potentially satisfying acquisition for enthusiasts despite the film's narrative flaws.

Conclusively, "American Assassin" on 4K UHD Blu-ray stands as a testament to how exceptional audiovisual quality can elevate a film's reception among its audience. While the film itself navigates through a sea of genre clichés and struggles with character development beyond Keaton's standout performance, the technical merits of this release—bolstered by its video and audio prowess—are compelling reasons for genre aficionados to consider adding it to their collection. However, prospective buyers are advised to temper their expectations regarding the film's content and perhaps explore a rental prior to purchase, acknowledging the polarized views on its overall execution and narrative appeal.