Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Tenet 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

؟ƚɘγ ƚɿυʜ bɒɘʜ ɿυoγ ƨɘoᗡ

Reviewed by Randy Miller III December 11, 2020

Director Christopher Nolan continues his crusade against time with Tenet, a long-gestating sci-fi thriller that you'll likely need a spreadsheet to understand. The story follows a CIA agent known as "The Protagonist" (John David Washington) who, during an undercover operation at a Ukrainian opera house, is nearly killed during a firefight. His life is saved by a soldier who fires a backwards-travelling bullet and, after being tortured by his captors, The Protagonist -- let's call him "P" for short -- attempts to commit suicide with his government-issued cyanide tablet. It doesn't work, and when P awakens, the truth comes out: he's been unwittingly inducted into "Tenet", a top-secret group whose scientists have discovered bullets and other items that travel backwards through time via reverse entropy. This future tech (which technically hasn't been invented yet, I guess), will destroy the past if it falls into the wrong hands.

For a longer synopsis and full review of Tenet, please see my separate coverage of the Blu-ray. Please also see Brian Orndorf's theatrical review -- I was more lenient towards the film but agree with many of his sentiments. Whatever your opinion, Warner Bros.' new 4K package is indeed a stunner and the best way to watch the film at home: not only do you get a reference-quality A/V presentation, but also a bonus disc of behind-the-scenes featurettes.

Tenet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

NOTE: The screenshots on this page have been sourced from the included Blu-ray. For 25 additional 1080p images from the film (as well as my thoughts on the Blu-ray's transfer), please see my separate review of that title.

Much like previous Nolan blockbusters on 4K and Blu-ray, Tenet attempts to re-create the IMAX theatrical experience with another mixed aspect ratio presentation that frequently opens up to 1.78:1; it's not exactly 1.43:1 but, under the circumstances, achieves the same effect. No matter its shape, this 2160p transfer is indeed a stunner and one of the best overall 4K presentations I've seen to date. Image detail is absolutely phenomenal from the opera house opening onward, as shot after shot delivers incredible depth and fine detail that's further aided by deep blacks and extremely refined contrast levels. Of course the modern "orange and teal" palette is in full effect here, which also aids the push-and-pull effect that makes an immediate sensory impact and heightens the film's more stylized moments.

Of course, the disc's HDR enhancement contributes to this intended effect and, when paired with the film's 65/70mm roots*, creates an immediate and lasting visual impression. The warm interior of the opening opera house sequence -- a peaceful and inviting atmosphere that's shattered within moments -- sets the bar very high but it's easily cleared soon enough. From there, Tenet continues as a collection of visually stunning moments rather than something that can be described in broad, blanketed terms. The impossibly vivid blue of open waters, combined with sunlit scenes aboard Andrei Sator's luxury yacht. Unparalleled depth in panoramic exteriors, especially cityscapes. Deep blood-red and crimson hues of the mirrored "inversion" room. Glowing amber lights against the darkened backdrop of a plane crash. Everything pops nicely and even the most, well, normal-looking scenes are heightened by its cinematography, creating a palpable level of visual stimulation that, if I'm being perfectly honest, carries the film more capably than its overly twisting narrative. From a purely visual perspective, Tenet is just about as perfect as it gets.

Warner Bros.' 4K UHD disc -- of the triple-layer 100GB variety, in this case -- is authored extremely well and contains no obvious sharpening, excessive noise reduction, and/or any of the irregularities of some of Nolan's earlier films that earned 4K releases. Considering Tenet's somewhat stunted box-office performance this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even those who saw it in theaters* will be impressed with this home video presentation.

* - An earlier version of this review implied that 35mm stock was used for portions of the film, which was incorrect -- the entirety of Tenet was shot on 65/70mm film. I also called some people stupid, which was stupid of me.

Tenet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As this 4K's DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix is identical to the Blu-ray, please see my review of that title for a write-up. Please note that the 4K disc's audio and subtitle options, listed above, are different than the Blu-ray.

Tenet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This three-disc release is housed in a dual-hubbed keepcase (one being a "stacker") with slick cover art and a matching slipcover. The bonus features are included on a second Blu-ray and are detailed in my review of that title.

• Looking At The World In A New Way (76:13)

• 1. The Principle of Belief (04:06)
• 2. Mobilizing the Troupe (06:35)
• 3. The Approach (04:40)
• 4. The Proving Window (04:46)
• 5. The Roadmap (05:06)
• 6. Entropy in Action (10:48)
• 7. Traversing the Globe (12:28)
• 8. How Big a Plane? (04:48)
• 9. The Dress Code (03:52)
• 10. Constructing the Twilight World (05:27)
• 11. The Final Battle (04:11)
• 12. Cohesion. (05:37)
• 13. Doesn't Us Being Here Now Mean It Never Happened? (03:49)

• Theatrical Teaser (1:08)

• Theatrical Trailers (3 versions, 8:29 total)

Tenet 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's fittingly ironic that Tenet's central gimmick -- the push and pull of "inverted" time against a normal flow -- is both its most compelling and frustrating element. Everything I loved and hated about Inception is here in spades, as well as some of Dunkirk's slightly bitter aftertaste. But Tenet is so engaging from a base-level sensory standpoint that it's hard to completely dismiss... so even if you don't enjoy it the first time around, you'll probably come back for more anyway. Warner Bros.' 4K package is well-rounded considering the quick turnaround time, with extremely strong A/V merits and a solid collection of featurettes that get their own Blu-ray. Whether or not you dared to see Tenet in theaters, die-hard Nolan fans should pick this up for repeat home viewing. Everyone else should probably rent it first.