Hitman: Agent 47 Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "Hitman: Agent 47" on Blu-ray is meticulously polished, benefiting from an AVC-encoded 1080p transfer in the original 2.40:1 widescreen aspect ratio. Digitally captured with the Arri Alexa XT Plus, the film showcases a pristine transfer with impeccable clarity and sharpness that highlights every minute detail, from skin blemishes to the texture of clothing and environments. The color scheme is refreshingly natural, diverging from the exaggerated grading typical of action-packed films, yet distinctive locations provide vibrant primary color flares—most notably the reds of Agent 47's iconic tie and the Audi escape vehicle, as well as the lush botanical gardens.

The overall presentation is marked by deep, consistent black levels devoid of distracting crush or banding, ensuring a visually compelling experience even in darker, nighttime sequences. Close-ups are particularly impressive, offering an abundance of fine detail that enhances the realism of characters and settings. While generally devoid of digital defects or anomalies, a notable glitch occurs around the 33:30 mark during a hotel room scene, where odd flashes of light against the wall can be observed. This appears to be an isolated incident likely caused by a technical malfunction of the camera rather than an intentional effect. Nonetheless, "Hitman: Agent 47" delivers a commendable and visually satisfying high-definition experience.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for "Hitman: Agent 47" is a powerfully immersive and dominating aural experience, particularly notable during the film's elaborate action setpieces. This audio presentation envelops the listener with roaring car and motorbike engines, screeching tires, whirring industrial machinery, whipping helicopter blades, and explosive detonations. Additionally, unique sound effects like a jet engine testing unit add depth, tearing through your living room with punch and precision. The overall soundstage brings the film to life in an engaging manner, successfully immersing the viewer in the chaos of the action scenes.

Dialogue is rendered relatively cleanly within this intense soundscape, although 47's distinctive but restrained intonation occasionally gets lost amidst the more dynamic elements of the track. Marco Beltrami's score, though nothing extraordinary, complements the on-screen events well, contributing to the overall bombastic atmosphere. Panning effects are particularly effective, enhancing immersion as vehicles zip through city streets and characters engage in visceral combat. The placement of these sounds throughout the soundfield creates a rich, amped-up environment that adds significantly to the viewing experience.

The Blu-ray extras for "Hitman: Agent 47" present a solid, although not revolutionary, addition to the main feature, offering an assortment of content that will appeal primarily to avid fans. The standout feature is "The Hit Counter," which offers a fun, albeit somewhat gimmicky, running tally of kills complemented by Picture-in-Picture (PiP) storyboards and effects breakdowns. Other notable extras include short yet informative featurettes on staging fight sequences, a prequel comic with an associated making-of featurette, and various promotional materials. These elements combine to enhance the viewing experience by delving deeper into both the film's production and its backstory.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Provides additional footage not included in the final cut.
• The Hit Counter: Tracks kills with PiP storyboards and effects breakdowns.
• Re-Imagining Hitman: EPK segment viewed through Agent 47's character prism.
• Ultimate Action: Staging the Fights: Insightful look at key action set pieces.
• Hitman: Agent 47 Comic: Digital comic prequel with manual and auto advance options.
• Making of the Comic Book: Brief promo on creating the prequel comic.
• Promotional Featurettes: Collection of EPK segments.
• Gallery: Various still images from the movie.
• Poster Gallery: Collection of movie posters.
• Theatrical Trailers: Original trailers for "Hitman: Agent 47."

"Hitman: Agent 47" attempts to translate the popular video game series to the big screen once again, but it delivers little more than a collection of flashy, CGI-laden action sequences. The movie leans heavily on style over substance, much like the Resident Evil sequels by Paul W.S. Anderson. It features an unnecessarily convoluted storyline involving cloning, super-soldier assassins, and secretive organizations, which may alienate casual viewers while adding little value for die-hard fans of the games. Rather than focusing on tense and cleverly executed assassination missions—a hallmark of the video game—the film opts for overly complex and gratuitous kills. Zachary Quinto and Rupert Friend's performances come across as lackluster, and debut director Aleksander Bach struggles to differentiate his work from previous failures in the franchise.

Narratively, "Hitman: Agent 47" is sparse, quickly setting up its universe through a few lines of exposition. A geneticist named Dr. Piotr Litvenko (Ciarán Hinds) creates an army of assassins before disappearing, leaving his daughter Katia (Hannah Ware) to recall suppressed memories and search for him. Zachary Quinto's character John Smith initially seems to be Katia's ally but predictably turns out to have ulterior motives. The subplot concerning Katia's search for her father is poorly handled, with glaring inconsistencies in her knowledge about him. This results in a disjointed narrative that skips from one action setpiece to another without offering substantive character development or plot cohesion.

Despite its narrative shortcomings, the film does excel in delivering high-octane action sequences. Fans of adrenaline-pumping action might find temporary satisfaction in its expertly staged set pieces. However, by focusing almost entirely on relentless chase scenes and hand-to-hand combat, the movie risks becoming repetitive. Any attempt at character depth or story arc tends to bog down the pace and highlight the film's thematic shallowness. Without any significant ambitions, "Hitman: Agent 47" offers a fleeting form of entertainment that lacks lasting impact or depth.

"Hitman: Agent 47" falls short of its potential, failing to even match the mediocrity of its predecessor. The narrative within this reboot is uninspiring, more noisy and chaotic than the silent, calculated approach one might hope for from a film about a legendary assassin. While it attempts to bring a fast-paced, action-oriented thrill ride to the screen, it primarily succeeds as a baseline living comic book, heavy on action but light on substance. The reveal of the true significance behind Katia Van Dees' name stands out as the sole genuine surprise in a plot that otherwise feels predictable and uninspired.

From a technical perspective, however, "Hitman: Agent 47" delivers commendable quality. The Blu-Ray presentation excels in both video and audio quality, ensuring an immersive viewing experience despite the film's narrative shortcomings. Visuals are crisp and detailed, enhancing the film's abundant action sequences. The sound design is equally robust, providing dynamic audio that accentuates the high-energy atmosphere. Additionally, the Blu-ray release includes several bonus features that may provide some consolation for dedicated fans looking for additional content.

In conclusion, "Hitman: Agent 47" may not achieve cinematic greatness or even meet the standard set by its predecessor, but the Blu-ray release compensates with excellent technical execution. While the film's story may disappoint, its visual and audio presentation on Blu-ray is top-notch, making it a worthwhile addition for collectors and enthusiasts seeking high-quality home entertainment.