4K Ultra HD – US Edition – Lionsgate Films – 119 min – 24 September 2019
Video format
• Intermediate Master: 2K
• Standard HDR: Dolby Vision
• Ratio: 2.39
Soundtrack
• English Dolby Atmos
Subtitles
• English
It is brought to the attention of our dear readers as well as the viewing equipment specified and used by each tester of the MaG team, the rendering may differ from one installation to another, whether or not it is calibrated, as well as personal preferences and expectations may influence the rating. Moreover, the images in the article are not representative of the edition tested.
WORK – Russian doll killer
The Matriochka are Russian dolls that fit together. Every doll hides another doll. Anna is a pretty 24-year-old woman, but who is she really and how many women hide in her? Is she a simple doll saleswoman on the Moscow market? A top model in Paris? A killer who's bloody Milan? A corrupt cop? A double agent? Or simply a formidable chess player? We'll have to wait until the end of the game to find out who Anna really is and who is « failure and mat ».
Self-citing Nikita and his competitors (Red Sparrow and Atomic Blonde), this thriller of espionage very rhythmic and energetic staging conforms to the Besson specifications. Despite the clichés the show is there, with a « strong woman » perfect physics (the Russian model Sasha Luss) trained in a kyriella of muscular action scenes and multiple twists (the matriochka effect). Effective even if (involuntarily?) pastist.
IMAGE – Play with masks
A solid UHD Dolby Vision presentation that takes advantage of an improvement in general clarity (the depth of field gains there), an increase in details (very visible on clothing), a greater precision of colours (the natural shades of Thierry Arbogast's photograph are more nuanced), an increase in contrasts (the shadows are deeper) and an increase in light sources (inner lighting, daylight and reflections).
SON – Balalaika, my matriochka ♪
Immersive even if not so worn on the high channels (small atmospheres and music), this track Dolby Atmos with important dynamics, clear voices and score (signed Eric Serra) wide, abounds with pyrotechnic effects (many shots) and multichannel atmospheric sounds (outdoor agitation).
CONCLUSION – The Nikita Woman Shoot blank?
While it is true that one woman can hide another, it is even easier to thwart the false pretences and other manipulations of this dangerous spy in 4K Ultra HD!. Because the technique used here is up to the spiral of violence implemented by this relentless killer.
Artistic note
7
Video quality
9.5
Audio quality
9
0
[...] bring a minimum rest to her heroine « Bessonian » (The Fifth Element, Anna), the first of a long list... Sometimes for the best, often for the worst [...]