V for Vendetta 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

V for Vendetta 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

I'm out of Fawkes to give.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III October 29, 2020

Like The Shining, Beetlejuice, and several other WB catalogue titles, James McTeigue's V for Vendetta is the latest 4K offering to pole-vault over a Blu-ray released in the format's earliest years and look great doing it. That earlier disc, reviewed all the way back in 2008 (some two years after the film's theatrical release), was the rare early WB Blu-ray with lossless audio but otherwise showed room for improvement in every category by today's standards. Coincidentally timed for a US Election Day 2020 release (because, after all, new releases don't come out on Thursdays), WB's 4K UHD provides a very welcome and long-overdue upgrade for this polarizing, politically charged production.

For a more in-depth synopsis of this film, please refer to the Blu-ray review linked above. The real draws to this UHD release are several improvements that make it a more definitive version of that older disc: a new 4K master sourced from the original negative, a new Dolby Atmos audio track, and even a few new extras. (The only disappointment is that the 2008 Blu-ray is included, rather than a newlty-minted disc.) Otherwise, this all adds up to one of the most surprisingly polished and well-rounded 4K editions this year and an absolute no-brainer for die-hard fans.

V for Vendetta 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

V for Vendetta is not exactly a slick and visually stylish production, at least not the type usually associated with a typical HDR-enhanced UHD transfer. So it's not surprising that the end result of this new 4K master -- reportedly culled from the film's original camera negative -- is simply a much tighter and more refined presentation of what we saw on Warner Bros.' respectable 2008 Blu-ray, and one that features more striking fine detail, more natural color saturation, and deeper black levels that showcase countless scenes bathed in shadow. Contrast levels are also better resolved in comparison to the Blu-ray, as evidenced by a much more pronounced mid-range of shadow details and less blown-out highlights. Afforded an extremely high bit rate thanks to the decision to use a full 100GB disc, V for Vendetta's 4K presentation features absolutely no glaring compression issues nor any traces of excess noise reduction, allowing its filmic roots to shine through with a subtle but noticeable layer of natural grain. Colors are, of course, cleanly saturated, with most of that trademark HDR "pop" reserved for computer displays, fiery explosions, Valerie's golden flashback, the closing fireworks display, and other more vivid portions of the production and costume design.

Overall, V for Vendetta's largely natural appearance looks somewhat atypical when standing alongside the likes of WB's more recent UHD releases like 300 and Beetlejuice, but this only reinforces that fact that even "normal" looking films can benefit strongly from the advantages of both 4K resolution and HDR grading. Simply put, this UHD presentation looks like the absolute best-case scenario for those who appreciate pure, film-like transfers with no heavy-handed changes or other signs of manipulation, cementing an already-great year for catalogue 4K releases.

V for Vendetta 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Although as mentioned earlier, the 2008 Blu-ray featured a rare lossless audio track (for WB, at least), this 4K disc nonetheless ups the ante with a powerhouse Dolby Atmos presentation that automatically unfolds to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 if your audio receiver does not support the newer format. Any way you slice it, this is an incredibly nuanced and at times very strong effort that makes itself immediately known, frequently dipping deep into LFE territory and utilizing strong channel separation to creative a typically wide and immersive soundstage that's even impressive during the quieter moments. Dialogue is often placed right up front and varies in both placement and presence depending on the setting, with frequent music cues -- both Dario Marianelli's original score and diegetic pieces, especially those blaring through loudspeakers -- spilling far into the rears. It's here that Atmos' height channels get put to their best use, as well as other "sounds of the city" and booming conversations in larger rooms, including those ominous broadcasts by "The Voice of London" and foreboding big-screen meetings with High Chancellor Adam Sutler.

As such, this newly-mixed Atmos presentation -- much like the film's new 4K transfer -- seeks to tastefully overhaul the Blu-ray without changing the film's original intent or atmosphere, aiming for refinement rather than all-out change. In many ways it's as effective as the terrific new mix for 300, even though both comic-inspired films couldn't be more differently executed. Optional subtitles and dubs are provided during the main feature and/or select extras.

V for Vendetta 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This two-disc release arrives in a dual-hubbed keepcase with attractive cover artwork and an equally attractive (and non-matching) slipcover with several inserts tucked inside. Three new-to-disc extras detailed below can be found on the 4K disc only, while the recycled 2008 Blu-ray obviously includes the remaining bonus material.

• New Extras (4K disc only)
  • James McTeigue & Lana Wachowski in Conversation (13:18) - The director and co-writer share a brief but enjoyable chat that touches upon the film's inception, source material, casting, production, and reception, along with a few ideas and themes that held personal importance to them.
• Natalie Portman's Audition (14:06) - A trio of scenes from the actor's 2005 audition tape including "Shadow Gallery", "V's Kitchen", and "Deitrich's Town Home"; these are presented in 1.33:1 VHS-grade quality, and the first two are also paired with their corresponding final scenes from the film.
• V for Vendetta Unmasked (23:28) - This 2006 TV short, although never released on domestic home video as a bonus feature (at least to my knowledge), would have fit right in as an all-purpose behind-the-scene DVD featurette. It covers the source material's adaptation, main and supporting characters, impact, political themes and much more with lots of first-hand participants including director James McTeigue , producer Joel Silver, actors Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, John Hurt, Sinéad Cusack, and Stephen Fry, art director Kevin Phipps, original comic illustrator David Lloyd, and several others.

• Returning Extras (Blu-ray disc only)
  • In Movie Experience Director's Notebook - Additional featuretttes that play during the film
• Designing the Near Future (17:15)
• Remember, Remember: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot (10:17)
• Freedom! Forever!: Making V for Vendetta (15:57)
• England Prevails: V for Vendetta and the New Wave in Comics (14:40)
• Natalie Portman Rap (2:34) - SNL skit
• Cat Power: Montage (2:02) - Music video
• Theatrical Trailer (2:24)
• Soundtrack Album Info

V for Vendetta 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

James McTeigue's V for Vendetta is a solid comic book adaptation that was mostly well-received upon its 2006 release. (The original comic's writer Alan More, famously had his name removed from it, but he doesn't like much of anything.) Nonetheless, most genre fans are already familiar with the film so this UHD release's main draws are its brand-new 4K transfer, a powerful Dolby Atmos mix, and even a few additional bonus features. Those limited to Blu-ray will bemoan the lack of a newly-minted disc, but everything about this release makes it a definitive package.