In the Line of Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

In the Line of Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Sony has released Director Wolfgang Petersen's fan favorite 1993 character-driven Thriller 'In the Line of Fire' to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and Dolby Atmos audio. The UHD disc brings with it all of the extras from the 2008 Blu-ray. No Blu-ray copy is included.

In the Line of Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc.

It's immediately obvious from the opening shots that In the Line of Fire lives up to Sony standards in every way. The 2160p/HDR UHD presentation is terrific and may quickly be identified amongst the format's elites. Blue skies and crisp white titles dazzle in the first shot. Clarity abounds on the street where Al picks up Frank in the first moments and it never relents. This is a perfectly crystal-clear image in every scene, whether in bright daylight exteriors or on darkened and shadowy nighttime streets, whether in low light bar interiors or well-lit office space locations. Every element delights. Facial features reach a level of natural complexity rarely found even on the best the format has on offer. Frank's facial structure is a delight to absorb: the fine lines, the hair on the head and eyebrows, the hint of stubble, everything reaches fully lifelike and seems to push even this format to its limits for visual excellence. This definition extends to support location elements, whether various interior locations – Booth's run-down apartment being a great example – or the many familiar spots around D.C. where much of the story unfolds. Just as vital is the grain presentation which lends a perfectly filmic look. Grain appears untampered, not at all scrubbed away or reduced. The picture is fully cinematic, the grain very consistent and light with only mild spikes within a few lower light locations. Texturally, the picture could not look any better.

The HDR color grading only solidifies the image's excellence. The level of color punch and vividness on display – all while maintaining an accurate representation of every color – is startling. Look at a black-tie gala at the 30-minute mark for one of the best examples of the wide range of first class color gamut opportunities for this disc. The First Lady's red dress is striking for its vividness, realism, and stability. Additional colors around the room pop, but the black tuxedos are a surefire sign of full spectrum excellence, offering extreme black on the jackets and pants and impeccably crisp whites on the shirts. Various location exteriors, particularly in daytime, reveal stunning color output, particularly natural greens and blue skies but also sprinkles of color on signs and storefronts and other points of interest. Skin tones are the epitome of natural definition and health. With the complete absence of compression artifacts, digital tampering, and print wear and tear, this is UHD at its best and it renders the original Blu-ray fully obsolete.

In the Line of Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

In the Line of Fire's new Dolby Atmos soundtrack is a beautiful example of a well-engineered audio track receiving a boost from additional channel output. The presentation is sublime for its clarity and fullness and attention to even the smallest details. Ennio Morricone's score presents with great clarity and attention to detail. Listeners will experience every note at peak clarity as the score pushes fully wide along the front and gently envelops the stage through the backs as well. Light overhead support here is fully complimentary and the low end brings appropriate depth and detail to the proceedings. The track finds further pinpoint surround engagement in both fine and fuller and fluid atmospheric effects. There are some amazing little creaks and groans on the ship where the action takes place in the opening minutes, serving as one of the best examples of small sound elements making a large impact. Crowd din at a political rally at the 20-minute mark is beautifully immersive and precise. Cars honking and racing by during a daytime chase scene at the 42-minute mark present with unparalleled spacing, movement, and immersion. A few of the more intense action scenes and gunshots are rich and clear and authoritative. Dialogue maintains a front-center position. It's perfectly prioritized and lifelike in detail delivery.

In the Line of Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

With no bundled Blu-ray, the UHD disc itself houses all of the supplements. Per the 2008 Blu-ray.com review, this is the same supplemental suite, with the possible inclusion here of the film's teaser trailer; that supplement was not listed on the 2008 review page. See below for a breakdown of what's included and please click here for full review coverage. Note that this release ships with a non-embossed slipcover and a Movies Anywhere digital copy voucher which is printed on thick stock rather than glossy paper, a first encounter for this reviewer.

• The Ultimate Sacrifice
• Catching the Counterfeiters
• Behind the Scenes with the Secret Service
• Audio Commentary: Director Wolfgang Petersen.
• How'd They Do That?
• Deleted Scenes
• Teaser Trailer (1080p, 1:20).

In the Line of Fire 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Terrific film, terrific disc. This is one of Eastwood's best movies and this is also one of Sony's best UHDs. It's a stunner, visually and aurally alike. Fans are going to be beyond delighted. Very highly recommended.