Why So Blu?

V For Vendetta (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

Remember, remember the fifth of November. Warner Bros is also asking you this year to also remember, remember the third of November. That’s when they are releasing the very popular V For Vendetta onto 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray for the first time. The Natalie Portman-starring, Wachowski-produced adaptation of the popular graphic novel is getting a nice upgrade to a native 4K picture quality and dynamic Atmos sound. They’re not stopping there, as three new bonus features are being brought to home video for the first time. You get a new sit down conversation with producer Lana Wachowski and director James McTeigue, Natalie Portman’s audition tape and a vintage making of feature from around the time the film came out. There are also different editions of this release, but this review covers the standard one. V for Vendetta on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray is available now and can be ordered using the paid Amazon Associates link below.

Film 

Following world war, London is a police state occupied by a fascist government, and a vigilante known only as V (Hugo Weaving) uses terrorist tactics to fight the oppressors of the world in which he now lives. When V saves a young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) from the secret police, he discovers an ally in his fight against England’s oppressors.

There’s a reason Warner Bros chose the date to release V For Vendetta when they did. It reflects our election week in the United States and the films themes and ideals remain forever relevant. Art can be a teaching tool in our world and art can warn us of the horrors our world have had and can have. A piece like V For Vendetta isn’t just conjured up in smoke, its a well versed and well researched work that can easily play as an entry point for an audience young and old. Its can form an inspiration and help to cultivate a way of desire for a better path or way to life.

V’s mask in the film itself has become quite iconic, constantly finding its use throughout many movements and agencies in the wake of the film’s release. You know the importance and the legacy of a film when something like that sticks for a long time. My friend, John Rocha even used the mask for his character of “The Outlaw” on the Schmoedown Trivia show. No, he doesn’t hold sole ownership of it, as I mentioned groups and protests have used it as a key and recognizable symbol. The film taught history, the film gave a symbol for uprising and people took to it.

The film also provides some pretty terrific action as well as a well acted film, which from a Wachowski production and casting Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving and John Hurt is pretty obvious. And like said things, its more than just its action. Its ideals, philosophies and a pretty deep, layered experience. A very nutritious film meal when taken in. AND IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FILM, FUCK DONALD TRUMP.

Video

Disclaimer: Screen captures used in the review are taken from the standard Blu-ray disc, not the 4K UHD Blu-ray disc.

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 4K (2160p)

Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1

Layers: BD-66

Clarity/Detail:  Warner Bros delivers V For Vendetta on 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray for the first time with terrific results. The image is crisp and ripe with detail and texture. Its sharp and has a good, filmic look to it while also looking quite clean and in good shape. Every little corner is covered with information and it truly impresses with its appearance.

Depth:  Depth of field is quite strong here and takes a strong leap from the Blu-ray. Interiors feel deepened and exteriors have more scale on display. Movements are smooth and natural with no distortions occurring during any rapid action sequences.

Black Levels:  Blacks are quite natural hear with an impressive look on nights, dark shadows and more. Textures, patterns and more hold strong visually and no crushing witnessed during this viewing.

Color Reproduction:  Colors have a nice stylization to them and feature some bold looks as well as some good saturation. Reds and blues pop pretty nicely and the HDR comes in handy with explosions and some fun lighting and monitor displays.

Flesh Tones:  Skin tones are natural and consistent from start to finish of the film. Facial features and texture is pretty clear as day, showing scarring, lip texture, freckles, stubble, bruising and more.

Noise/Artifacts: Clean.

Audio

Format(s): English Dolby Atmos, English Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, German 5.1 Dolby Digital, Italian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish (Castilian) 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish (Latin America) 5.1 Dolby Digital, Czech 5.1 Dolby Digital, Polish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Thai 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles:English SDH, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Korean, Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Thai

Dynamics: As impressive as the audio is on V For Vendetta, the Atmos track on this release is the absolute star of the show. This is outstanding to sit and let punch you in the face with its loud and dynamic performance. The whole room finds itself utilized and precise volume levels in the mix make this an incredibly intricate experience that’ll wow you in almost every single scene.

Height: Plenty comes from above from debris, action swings, objects flying above and much more as well as score contributions. Its plenty loud and present so you really have no question when something is hitting you from above.

Low-Frequency Extension:  This one booms with explosions, gunfire, punches/kicks lands, doors slamming, crashing and lot more. And its deep and powerful.

Surround Sound Presentation: Every speaker speaks up, contributions and works in tandem with the others here. The rolling motion is some of the most ideal of any release I’ve seen. The individual contributions are amazing too, as I thought something was going on with the piping in my house that would up being my rear channel providing some ambiance for one of the sewer interiors.

Dialogue Reproduction: Vocals are clear, present and crisp. Diction is capture quite clearly and romantically. The voice over is beautiful and the dialogue natural and up front.

Extras

V For Vendetta comes with the standard Blu-ray edition and a redeemable digital code.

4K UHD

James McTeigue & Lana Wachowski in Conversation (HD, 13:18) – A really nice reflection of the film as the film’s producer Lana Wachowski and director James McTeigue look back at the film. Its pretty fun, and they even have candid moments kept in where some of the off camera folks interact.

Natalie Portman’s Audition (HD, 14:06) – A pretty lengthy bunch of clips showcasing her on camera line readings for her part.

V for Vendetta Unmasked (HD, 23:28) – A port over which basically has people from the film taking us from talking about the comic book to talking about the movie’s production.

Blu-ray

In-Movie Experience

Behind The Story

• Designing the Near Future (SD, 17:16) – A look at the artistic process of creating the frightening future world of V.
• Remember, Remember: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot (SD, 10:18) – The history behind the story of Guy Fawkes.
• Freedom! Forever!: Making V for Vendetta (SD, 15:58) – The cast and crew of V for Vendetta reveal the intense filmmaking process.
• England Prevails: V for Vendetta and the New Wave in Comics (SD, 14:41) – The origins of the original V story are illuminated.

Natalie Portman SNL Rap (SD, 2:34)

Cat Power Montage (SD, 2:02) – Cat Power song played under images of the film.

Theatrical Trailer (SD, 2:24)

Soundtrack Album Info

Summary

V For Vendetta stands alone as really unique experience in action and comic book films. It continues to impress and get better as time goes on. Warner Bros has really done a terrific job on upgrading it to the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray format. The picture transfer is marvelous and the Atmos track is unbelievable. They’ve also included very worthwhile extras to seal the deal. This is a release for both fans, collectors and home theater enthusiasts alike!