John Wick 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

John Wick 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

John Wick: Chapter 2 is due to hit cineplexes in just a few more weeks, but fans of this nascent franchise can get their appetites whetted in the meantime with this new 4K UHD version of the first film.

John Wick 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: The included screenshots are sourced from a 1080p Blu-ray disc. Watch for 4K screenshots at a later date.

John Wick is presented on 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 2.40:1. This new presentation offers noticeable upticks in detail, but the bulk of what changes here is probably due more to HDR than to increased resolution. As I stated in the original John Wick Blu-ray review, this digitally shot feature (reportedly finished at a 4K DI) has been aggressively color graded to a number of different hues throughout its running time, and there's a really fascinating new amount of interstitial tones that are quite apparent. The greenish cast of some of the opening scenes has a just slightly more teal look now, but detail levels are uniformly high in a way that the 1080p Blu-ray presentation can't quite muster. There are certainly still times when dark scenes feature a relative lack of shadow definition, but the uptick in visible detail throughout the many dimly lit or outright nighttime sequences in the film is quite remarkable. There are a couple of slightly odd anomalies—pay attention, for example, during the yellow graded scene where John goes a little gonzo with his Mustang, and there's a gritty, noisy look that's apparent, especially in the sky, something that wasn't as apparent in the 1080p Blu-ray version. Overall, though, this is a great looking upgrade that should delight the film's fans.

John Wick 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

This release contains the same blistering Dolby Atmos track I assessed in our original John Wick Blu-ray review.

John Wick 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Several labels releasing 4K UHD product have finally figured out home theater aficionados are couch bound (that's a joke, don't throw a remote at me), and want to be able to watch supplements without changing to the 1080p Blu-ray discs typically included in these packages. The 4K UHD disc of John Wick commendably includes all of the supplements detailed in our original John Wick Blu-ray review.

John Wick 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Some of this film's fans wanted to go all John Wick on me when I didn't post an out and out rave for the film when the original Blu-ray was released, and I have to say I at least marginally increased my appreciation for it this time through, at least partially due to the excellent new detail and color space of the 4K UHD video presentation. The Atmos track is a wonder unto itself and certainly qualifies as reference quality audio. Recommended.