Lionsgate released John Wick: Chapter 4 to disc formats on June 9th, 2023 (a week before the expected date of June 13th). The movie arrives in several 4k Blu-ray editions including a standard edition, an Amazon Exclusive (detailed here), a Best Buy SteelBook, and a Walmart Gift Set. There are also several 2k Blu-ray editions of JW4 including an exclusive from Target. Here’s a review of the 4k Blu-ray presentation of John Wick: Chapter 4.
Movie
Lionsgate succeeds in delivering another quality John Wick film that does not disappoint in its pure action based on the slightest storyline. This time, Wick executes the Elder (the “one who sits above the Table”) which essentially signs his own death wish, but not before the Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont gets to Wick’s friends and past cohorts.
Video
The Ultra HD Blu-ray disc presents John Wick: Chapter 4 at 2160p with Dolby Vision HDR. The 4K Blu-ray played on an average of about 45 to 55Mbps with a noticed peak of 68.8Mbps. That’s not super high for a 4k Blu-ray, but still over twice the bitrates you’d get streaming it. The HEVC video is delivered in 4K at 24p (progressive frames) per second.
The color grading of JW4 tends to lean on the warm side especially when lit by interior tungsten (warm) lighting and golden hour natural light that flows through open windows. Color is rich and sharp in the dramatically-lit imagery from Cinematographer Dan Laustsen.
The shot at 15 minutes in Saint-Eustache, Paris is an impressive establishing shot and even on bigger screens like the 100” projection the movie was reviewed on. You’ll notice the number of bodyguards, including a dog, that line the sides of the large space that lead to a classic painting in the background.
We’re introduced to a nice purple/cyan blue palette when Wick hits the subway at about 55 minutes. Then, in the train, the color plays with the contrast of complimentary red & cyan colors that’s just eye candy for the viewer.
In the car chase scene at Arc de Triomphe, the dark sky is free of any degradation or pixelation in the gradients. All in all, the film is loaded with excellent 4k imagery that, in case you didn’t notice, was mostly shot at night.
Audio
John Wick: Chapter 4 is offered in Dolby Atmos audio for immersive sound effects that can travel through front, rear, side, and overhead speakers. Dialogue is mostly front and center with effects like gunshots and car screeches hitting left/right and overheads.
The opening scene when John Wick is punching a rope column is a good introduction to the amount of bass and immersive sound that’s offered in the video. The second scene with Wick on horseback delivers distinct gunshots that travel through left and right channels and overhead.
The real action starts at 29 minutes when The High Table enforcers enter the Osaka Continental looking for Wick. The scene is full of arrows and bullets flying by, as well as the “swish” of swords cutting through the air.
The combination of lightning and thunder at 57 minutes is one of the best surround moments of the film, hitting low frequencies and high dynamics simultaneously.
The car chase scene at Arc de Triomphe is another great moment for audio and video, with the sounds of car tires screeching and horns beeping in all speakers. When Wick gets to the rotary the entire scene explodes in chaos.
Bonus Features
The disc editions offer a solid amount of bonus material to learn more about John Wick: Chapter 4, its characters, history, and the making of the film. The featurette titled “Through Wick and Thin” explores the friendship of Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves (which started with the first Matrix film). Costume Designer Paco Delgado talks about the seemingly indestructible suits worn by the assassins of John Wick. And, the makers of the movie describe shooting at night to achieve the signature John Wick look. In total, there are 11 featurettes and two trailers included on the 4k Blu-ray and Blu-ray. See details below.
The Amazon Exclusive edition includes 20 minutes of exploration into the making of JW4 on its own Blu-ray disc. The cast and crew talk about how Keanu Reeves becomes the character on set and is vital for the other filmmakers. We learn how legendary J-pop star Rina Sawayama was found and trained for the role (her experience playing the role of Akira takes up a good portion of the bonus material). The characters Katia and Marquis Vincent Bisset de Gramont are also explored. And, we get a glimpse into the creative process of Director Chad Stahelski.
Summary
John Wick: Chapter 4 is a must-have for John Wick fans and anyone who enjoys this genre of films inspired by Westerns and Japanese martial arts films. High-quality imagery and sound are enhanced in home theater systems that can support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. And, if nothing else the gorgeous color palette will showcase the color depth of your TV or projection screen.
Scores
Movie
3.5/5
Video
5/5
Audio
5/5
Bonus Features
5/5
John Wick: Chapter 4 4k Blu-ray Editions
Bonus Features
- Chad and Keanu: Through Wick and Thin: Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves have a partnership that stretches all the way back to the first Matrix In this retrospective piece, we trace their remarkable friendship and decades-long collaboration.
- Train Like a Killer: Weapons Master Robert “Rock” Galotti and Keanu Reeves reveal the rigorous training that Keanu had to endure to make John Wick: Chapter 4 a reality – from gunplay, to jiu-jitsu, to some hard-hitting stunt work.
- Making A Killing: In John Wick, sets are not merely the backdrop for each scene – they are integral parts of the action, with Wick often using whatever is on hand to take the fight to his enemies. Here we explore the craft at play in designing the sets of John Wick: Chapter 4 and the ways set design and action choreography go hand in hand in this legendary series.
- The Psychology of a Killer: Chad Stahelski explores the psychology of John Wick, a character who, despite four films, is still a mystery in many ways. We unpack the complicated code of ethics that Wick lives by, and the ironic bonds he shares with the men trying to kill him.
- The Blind Leading the Fight: John Wick: Chapter 4 witnesses the arrival of Caine, a blind killer played by legendary actor and martial artist Donnie Yen. With a style not seen since The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi, Caine shows that a killer’s greatest instincts come not from his eyes, but from his mind. Here we uncover Yen’s journey on this film, exploring his prep for the role, his insight into the character, and his intense training regimen to portray this unlikely killer.
- Suit Up / Shoot Up: Costume Designer Paco Delgado uncovers the cooler-than-cool suits worn by the assassins of John Wick that feature bulletproof lining – just what every killer needs for a night out on the town. We also explore the more refined looks of the Marquis and the Old West-inspired garb of the Tracker.
- Packing a Punch: Pulling off a kill takes a village. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the way Team Wick incorporates special effects into the practical stunts and locations of the film.
- One Killer Shot: John Wick: Chapter 4 features one of the boldest single-take shots ever attempted in action filmmaking. Fight Choreographers Jeremy Marinas and Laurent Demianoff team up with Stunt Coordinator Scott Rogers to dive into the creative challenges that went into planning this one-shot sequence that sees John Wick take on Paris’s deadliest killers.
- Killing at the Speed of Traffic: Take a look at a nonstop action sequence featuring John Wick’s car-fu at the Arc de Triomphe! The driving force of this piece will be a look at the effects achieved at the iconic location, and sets the stakes of every assassin in Paris descending on Wick.
- A Shot in the Dark: The John Wick series takes audiences into a world that is both thematically and visually dark. For film crews, that meant enduring hundreds of night shoots, with crews switching to a virtually nocturnal mode of life for long stretches of production. Here we explore the tenacious work of cast and crew members who tough it out night after night in pursuit of Wick’s dark, iconic aesthetic. Along the way, we explore some of the most iconic night scenes in the film, culminating with Wick’s brutal staircase fight.
- In Honor of the Dead: In creating John Wick: Chapter 4, Chad Stahelski drew on references from some of the greatest films ever made. Uncover the cinematic homages depicted in the film, from David Lean to John Woo, to the samurai epics of post-war Japan.
- Theatrical Trailer 1
- Theatrical Trailer 2
John Wick: Chapter 4 (Amazon Exclusive) Bonus Features
Along with 4k Blu-ray and 2k copies of the film, the 3-disc edition of John Wick: Chapter 4 includes an Amazon-exclusive disc with 20 minutes of additional behind-the-scenes footage.
World of Wick (Amazon-Exclusive Content)
Over four films, the John Wick universe has expanded from a story of a man trying to avenge his dog to a massive world full of international intrigue and assassins. In this 20 minute exclusive, learn about the massive creative process that brings forth the many new locations and players that enter into the fray. Director Chad Stahelski joins Cast and Crew to guide fans through his creative process and tribulations that have culminated in this epic fourth installment. From the high rises of Osaka, to the chateaus of France, allies and enemies alike characterize this one of a kind cinematic experience. We meet Wick’s ally Akira, played by legendary J-pop star Rina Sawayama, and discover the extensive training she had to go through to bring this unique character to life. Then, the foes of Wick, like Bill Skarsgard’s Marquis, set killer obstacles and an unforgettable final duel.
