RED 2 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

RED 2 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Lionsgate has had a somewhat peculiar release strategy with 4K UHD product, and that tendency is continuing with a number of catalog releases, including this one, that are coming out over the next few weeks. All three Lionsgate catalog offerings receiving 4K UHD upgrades with a September 5 street date were shot on film, leading to some interesting differences in their 4K presentations, and all three have been granted Dolby Atmos upgrades in the sound department.

RED 2 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.

Red 2 is presented on 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 2.40:1. Despite being shot on film and finished at a 2K DI like RED 4K, this transfer shows none of the noisy grain that I mentioned in the RED 4K Blu-ray review. Detail levels have taken a noticeable uptick in the typical way often seen with 2K DIs, including elements like the textures on several of Mirren's outfits or things like the brickwork on the exterior of the church in an early scene. HDR has added some interesting if sometimes fairly subtle differences from the 1080p Blu- ray version. There's less of the desaturated look that I mentioned in my review of Red in 4K, though several sequences have a perhaps oddly cool (as in temperature) yellowish tint. A nice outdoor sequence that takes place during our heroes' "road trip" has a gorgeous if patently unnatural looking green-yellow combination that isn't nearly as pronounced in the Blu-ray version. Isolated elements like the deep blue housecoat Mary Louise Parker wears in a late sequence pop with really rich and impressive saturation in this new 4K UHD version.

RED 2 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release of Red 2 got top marks in audio from me for its DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, but much as with Red's 4K UHD upgrade, the Dolby Atmos track offered on this 4K UHD disc only ups the sonic ante. Even in non-effects moments like the pulsing tones that are part of the first score cue, there's a really noticeable energy in the soundfield, including sounds clearly placed not just around the soundstage, but, at several key moments, seemingly over it. There are a number of fantastic overhead pans, including a great one early when the SUV has a little incident in a Costco parking lot. But later explosions (this film is arguably even more explosive than its progenitor) also provide a wealth of forceful LFE as well as cascading effects that clearly move through the surround channels. Dialogue is always rendered cleanly and with smart prioritization. This is another standout audio experience, one with sterling fidelity and superb dynamic range.

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

This is the sole 4K UHD release Lionsgate is offering on September 5 which ports over all of the supplements from the Blu-ray, as detailed in our RED 2 Blu-ray review. A Theatrical Trailer is also included.

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

Red 2 isn't quite at the general enjoyment levels of Red, but with a cast like this film has, all of them obviously have a ton of fun, those deficits tend not to matter all that much. This 4K UHD upgrade is more pleasing to my eyes than was Red in 4K, but as with it sibling, the Dolby Atmos track is completely boisterous and beautifully detailed.