The Purge: Anarchy 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.5

The Purge: Anarchy 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Universal has released all three films in the 'Purge' franchise to UHD in a single boxed set, currently the only way to own the films on the 4K format. Please click here for more on that set.

The Purge: Anarchy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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

The Purge was digitally photographed at a resolution of 2.8K and finished at 2K. Universal's upscaled 2160p 4K transfer, which has also received HDR color enhancement, offers a modest uptick in textures, clarity, and color over the Blu-ray. This is another dark film, with frequent low light shots that don't allow for regularly occurring screaming colors or the proper setting to really absorb all the detail available. Still, basic faces and clothes find a boost in complexity and raw definition. Environments are a bit sharper. Some of the Purge Night masks seen in close-up deliver impressive structural definition. Colors enjoy a mild uptick in saturation and definition. There are definitely a few opportunities for added punch against the darkness, particularly as they're offset against the transfer's (generally) impressively dense and deep blacks. Flesh tones appear fine. Noise and other artifacts are kept to a bare minimum. As with the first film's UHD release, this isn't a format standard-setter but it delivers a nice enough 2160p/HDR presentation.

The Purge: Anarchy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Purge: Anarchy features a highly satisfying DTS:X Master Audio soundtrack, replacing the well-reviewed DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack from the previous Blu-ray release. As with the track found on the previous film's UHD disc, this one is all about those big, intensive moments that drive the action forward. Music plays with seamless width and stage saturation. Blasts and explosions offer robust concussive depth. Gunshots pop with striking authority and power. And when music and action blend, the track's full-on assault really hits home. Spacing of all elements is seamless, saturation is complete, and the overhead component, while often more complimentary, is noticeable. Announcements signaling the beginning of the Purge, both verbal and aural, filter through the stage very well, again with a noticeable top end component. Light din, such as in a grocery store near film's start, light street-level atmospherics, or distant popping thuds and gunshots are seamlessly integrated. Dialogue is perfect.

The Purge: Anarchy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Universal's UHD release of The Purge: Anarchy contains no new extras, and no supplements of any kind. Previously released extras -- a featurette and deleted scenes -- can be found on the bundled Blu-ray disc. A UV/iTunes digital copy code is included with purchase.

The Purge: Anarchy 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The Purge: Anarchy looks at the yearly purge from a new perspective. While the first film explored a wealthy family holed up in their house and facing danger from the outside, this film takes audiences onto the streets for a first-hand look at the carnage and one makeshift group's attempts at survival. It's an interesting film and series that doesn't do as much with its social commentary as it probably could have, devolving into simple Action films more than anything else. Still, they're decent and different (if not a bit morbid and depressing) sorts of watches. Universal's UHD offers adequately boosted 4K video, a superb DTS:X soundtrack, and no new extras. Worth a look for first-time buyers.