Hitman: Agent 47 4K Ultra HD

In "Hitman: Agent 47," a genetically engineered assassin with superior intelligence and supernatural abilities, 47 (Friend) turns the table on a sinister organization that's out to create an army of unstoppable killers with his DNA. Teaming up with a mysterious young woman (Ware), 47 uncovers secrets about his origins and faces an epic battle with his deadliest foe. (Gary Reber)

Special features include three deleted scenes (HD 04:03); five featurettes: "The Hit Counter" (HD 01:36:16), "Re-Imagining Hitman" (HD 06:02), "Ultimate Action: Staging The Fights" (HD 06:54), "Hitman: Agent 47 Comic" (Still Images) and "Making Of The Comic" (HD 01:49); promotional featurettes; a gallery; a poster gallery; theatrical trailers; upfront previews and a digital code.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD HDR10/Dolby Vision picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, was photographed digitally using an Arri Alexa XT Plus camera system at 2.8K and sourced from a 2K (not 4K) master Digital Intermediate format. As the 2K Digital Intermediate has been upconverted to 2160p, there is no real gain in native resolution. This is a stupendous picture with extraordinary visual locations and stylization. The color palette exhibits a wide color gamut comprised of nuanced shadings of blues, grays and whites, punctuated with strong primaries, such as the prominent bright red Audi. The on-location segment in German and Singapore depict realism throughout with magnificent architectural depictions. This, along with the captivating production design, delivers a very appealing visual experience. HDR contrast is superb. Black levels are perfectly natural, shadow delineation is revealing and white levels are well balanced and never exaggerated. Spatial depth is realistic as well. Resolution exhibits an intimacy of detail throughout, both in the presentations of environments and settings, and in object texture, facial features and clothing. Close-ups are perfectly natural with excellent fleshtone renderings. Facial features are revealing and sharp such as complexions, skin pores, hair, beards and stubble. Detail and sharpness throughout is simply lifelike and visually engaging.

This is a tremendously vivid visual experience with excellent color fidelity and sharpness throughout. The picture is reference quality. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 7.1-channel soundtrack is an exciting affair with superb fidelity throughout. The spectacular and high-energy sound effects engulf the soundfield with punch and directionality. Atmospherics are perfectly realistic and nuanced. Deep bass is very strong and dynamically punctuates the sound effects, at times with energy that extends to sub-25 Hz frequencies, especially in the .1 LFE channel. Surround envelopment is strong and enveloping throughout and delivers a stirring sense of creatively formed and lifelike dimensionality. Marco Beltrami's score is dynamic and enveloping with the soundstage and the soundfield, effectively extending to the four surrounds. Dialogue is wonderfully integrated spatially and is intelligible throughout. While theatrically, the soundtrack was presented in Dolby Atmos, this was not the case here. Engaging the height layer using Auro-Matic transforms this soundtrack into an even more unbelievably exciting and immersive holosonic® spherical surround adrenaline-induced experience. Definitely reference quality. (Gary Reber)