Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Kick-Ass 2 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal brings the 2013 sequel film 'Kick-Ass 2,' directed by Jeff Wadlow, to the UHD format. New specifications include 2160p/HDR video and DTS:X audio. Additoonally, several extras which are new to Blu-ray/UHD are included on the UHD disc which also includes all of the legacy Blu-ray content. The original 2013 Blu-ray is also included.

Kick-Ass 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

Universal releases Kick-Ass 2 to the UHD format with a 2160p/HDR presentation. The image is very impressive, even standing against the decade old Blu-ray which still delivers a thoroughly complete and very satisfying 1080p image. The UHD does improves upon it in every way. The HDR color grading offers amplified tonal range and depth. The image is brighter, more vibrant, more stable. White titles through the open present with superior vividness and crispness, a more authentically bright white, leaving behind the very mild creaminess seen on the Blu-ray. The color spectrum -- and this is a very colorful movie -- enjoys superior technical clarity, and the vivid tones are plainly punchier and fuller with a richness of depth and accuracy that the Blu-ray cannot match. The image is certainly a little cooler than the Blu-ray, but there is no color desaturation at work. On the contrary, this is a very bold and brilliant color palette with excellent vitality and vividness. There is no significant tonal transformation here, but the improvements to the full spectrum, which includes tangibly deeper and richer blacks and pleasantly lifelike and healthy skin tones -- make this easily superior to the Blu-ray.

On the other side of the ledger, the 2160p resolution offers a good improvement to overall image clarity. The image is notably crisper and more texturally efficient. Close-ups really show off the UHD's improvements, capturing finer essential details like hairs, freckles, and pores with more tangible depth and overall clarity. The differences are not dramatic (a word that might be more appropriately used to discuss the colors, but even then...a mild stretch), but the improvements to clarity and textural refinement certainly add some extra life to the image. Importantly, there are no source flaws or encode issues to consider here. The HDR colors are definitely the obvious highlight here, but the greater clarity and modest improvements to sharpness and textural revelation make this is a healthy UHD upgrade for a fan-favorite film.

Kick-Ass 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The newly remixed DTS:X soundtrack for Kick-Ass 2 delivers a hearty wallop of a listen. The presentation excites the senses with every example of hard-hitting action, bringing about forceful, yet tasteful, low-end depth and extension in support of the maelstrom of high yield surround content that includes both discrete elements and sounds flowing all around the listening area with precision movement and sonic gusto. Balance is wonderful here, and even in those scenes that offer environmental fill rather than high end action extravagance, the sense of perfect space and clarity within the content is superb. Musical richness is evident with wonderful front-end space and healthy surround support. The overhead channels support in all areas but not often with the prominence of very plainly discrete top end detail; they are certainly used in more of a support role. Dialogue is clear and centered for the duration.

Kick-Ass 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This UHD release of Kick-Ass 2 contains all of the extras from the 2013 Blu-ray but also includes several additional extras which apepar to be new to Blu-ray/UHD. These were perhaps previously exclusive to digital platforms. See below for a breakdown of what is included where and for reviews of new-to-disc content. Please click here for coverage of the previously reviewed material from the 2013 Blu-ray.

Blu-ray:

• Alternate Opening
• Big Daddy Returns: The Unshot Scene
• Extended scenes
• The Making of Kick-Ass 2
• Hit Girl Attacks: Creating the Van Sequence
• Audio Commentary: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Grace Moretz and Writer/Director Jeff Wadlow.

• Alternate Opening
• Big Daddy Returns: The Unshot Scene
• The Making of Kick-Ass 2
• Hit Girl Attacks: Creating the Van Sequence
• NEW! The B**** Is Back: Chloe Grace Moretz Is Hit Girl (1080p, 6:28): Moretz and select cast and crew discuss her character broadly and place in the film specifically.
• NEW! Mother Russia Mayhem (1080p, 6:06): A look inside the making of one of the film's most intense action scenes.
• NEW! Making the Cut: Adventures in Post-Production (1080p, 10:06): As the title suggests, this piece explores the process of editing the film and also introduces audiences to Editor Eddie Hamilton.
• NEW! The Saga Continues...Kick-Ass in the Comics (1080p, 7:36): Looking at the transition from comics/graphic novels to the silver screen.
• Audio Commentary: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Grace Moretz and Writer/Director Jeff Wadlow.

Kick-Ass 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Universal's new UHD package for Kick-Ass 2 will satisfy fans and positions itself as a worthwhile upgrade. The new 2160p/HDR image is a treat for the added clarity and color exactness. The DTS:X soundtrack offers a big, expansive, and powerful audio experience, and to sweeten the pot further Universal has included a few extras that were not on the old Blu-ray. Recommended for fans. Note that a SteelBook packaging variant is also available.