NARC 4K Ultra HD

In "NARC," when the trail goes cold on a murder investigation of a policeman, an undercover narcotics officer is lured back to the force to help solve the case. (Gary Reber)

Special features include commentary with Editor John Gilroy and Director Joe Carnahan; four featurettes: "Shattering The Blue Line: Joe Carnahan On Narc" (HD 13:42); "Shooting Narc: Alex Nepomiaschy's Vision" (HD 10:06); "If You Live Another Day: An Interview With Krista Bridges" (HD 16:20) and "The Journey Of The Costume: An Interview With Gersha Phillips" (HD 18:31); archival featurettes: "Making The Deal" (SD 13:20), "The Visual Trip" (SD 13:02), "The Friedkin Connection" (SD 9:50) and "Shooting Up" (SD 19:26); EPK Interviews: Joe Carnahan - Shoot Interview (SD 31:41), Joe Carnahan - Edit Interview (SD 1:11:09), Diane Nabatoff (SD 21:52), Alex Nepomniaschy (SD 18:03), Ray Liotta - Shoot Interview (SD 28:30), Ray Liotta - Edit Interview (SD 22:47), Jason Patric (SD 15:31) and William Friedkin (SD 36:04); trailer; image gallery and collector's booklet.

The 1.85:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on 35mm Kodak Vision film stock using the Arriflex 35 BL, Arriflex 35-IIC and Moviecam Compact camera systems and sourced from a remastered 4K Digital Intermediate using the original 35mm camera negative. An original release print sourced from Director Joe Carnahan was also scanned for reference purposes. The transfer was approved by Carnahan and Director of Photography Alex Nepomniaschy, ASC. Grain is smooth yet virtually visually non-existent for the most part. The imagery is vividly intense and captures the rough and dangerous situations narcotic police officers encounter. Color fidelity is excellent with saturated hues that project realism throughout. At times, primaries are nicely saturated. Blues are prominent. The flashbacks appear graded with sepia undertones. Flesh tones are naturally hued. HDR contrast is well balanced with natural deep black levels, revealing shadow delineation and natural white levels. Resolution is excellent with closeups, which are prominent, exhibiting superb fine detail in facial features, skin pores, beards, mustaches, beard stubble and hair. Clothing fabrics and costumes are intricately detailed. This is a rather darkly intense picture that is compelling throughout. (Gary Reber)

The film includes both DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Dolby Atmos soundtracks. The repurposed and remastered Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack is dynamic sounding with powerful gunfire enhanced at times with bass accents. Ambient environmental atmospherics are realistic and prominent throughout for sonics that deliver impressive realism. Sound effects are exciting and powerful. Surround envelopment is aggressive. Deep bass is strong. The music score occupies a wide and deep soundstage with an enveloping surround presence. Dialogue sounds nicely spatially integrated.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an extension of the music to the height layer as well as numerous atmospherics and sound effects, such gunfire, rain, screams, thrashings car alarm and more. There is also an extensive application of din underneath the quieter sequences. This is a well-crafted height layer that effectively enhances soundfield dimensionality.

This is an intensely and emotionally charged holosonic® spherical surround soundtrack that is engrossing. (Gary Reber)