Warrior 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Warrior 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Lionsgate continues it sometimes baffling choices for 4K UHD releases of catalog titles by bringing out 2011’s Warrior in the format. I correctly predicted in our Warrior Blu-ray review that Nick Nolte would get an Academy Award nomination for his role in the film, and Nolte may still be the best reason to check out this moving but sometimes disturbing drama.

Warrior 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.

Warrior is presented on 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with a 2160p transfer in 2.40:1. Shot on film and finished at a 2K DI, Warrior would seem to be an odd choice for a 4K UHD "upgrade" since its visuals are often kind of drab and dowdy looking, and have been further tweaked at times with pretty aggressive grading and even "distressing" that tends to make grain almost overwhelming even in its 1080p presentation. As with some other Lionsgate 4K UHD presentations I've reviewed, there's simply a noisy look to some of the grainfield throughout this version, even in moments where it doesn't look like things have been artificially boosted in any meaningful way. This tendency is also not limited to the expected moments like the many dark sequences where grain tends to swarm even in the 1080p version. Here, though, it attains a really unnatural look at times, like hordes of small insects are crawling over the frame. That's the biggest downside to this version, which otherwise offers the same upticks in detail and (especially) fine detail levels seen in other 4K UHD versions sourced from 2K DIs. The film's often interesting palette has received some new nuances courtesy of HDR, with some of the yellow tinged sequences that take place both inside and outside now having a slightly more burnished, amber quality. Some of the flashbacks which are slightly desaturated still have more suffused hues in the 4K UHD version than the 1080p Blu-ray offers. In more normal lighting conditions, or at least when things are graded aggressively, fine detail pops quite winningly, at least when noisy grain is masking levels.

Warrior 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Warrior's original Blu-ray release had some interesting audio options which I detailed in our Warrior Blu-ray review. Perhaps surprisingly (at least it surprised me), there isn't a huge difference between this disc's Dolby Atmos track and the DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 version found on the 1080p Blu-ray. There are certainly new nuances to some of the fight scenes, with a better midair presence of elements like the roar of crowds, but perhaps because so much of this film is centered more on "kitchen sink drama" theatrics, there are fewer "wow" moments in this new audio offering than might be expected. That said, this is still an incredibly winning track, one that boasts impeccable fidelity and generally excellent surround dynamics.

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

Aside from the PiP supplement included on the Blu-ray, which is missing on the 4K UHD disc, the 4K UHD includes all of the bonus material detailed in our Warrior Blu-ray review.

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

Warrior is an impressive dramatic achievement, and it's bolstered by some impeccable performances, but I have to wonder how much a release like this "demands" a 4K UHD upgrade. The film's inherent graininess just doesn't translate well to this format, at least to my eyes, though there are noticeable upticks in detail levels and the film's already interestingly skewed palette attains some new nuance here as well. While the Dolby Atmos track is effective, it's perhaps not the quantum leap over the previously available DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track that some audiophiles may expect. As such, those who already own this release on 1080p Blu-ray may not find this a suitable candidate for double dipping.