Camera technology has advanced tremendously over the last decade or two, as more and more filmmakers have stretched the limits of digital cinematography. And now, with the advent of 4K televisions and Blu-rays, we can experience that pristine image quality like never before.
But while most new releases are now coming to 4K Blu-ray, not all films are worth the increased price. One that is, however, isRed Sparrow, a dramatic spy thriller directed byFrancis Lawrence(The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) and starringJennifer Lawrence, that was released to little fanfare earlier this year. The film is now available on 4K Blu-ray, and I’ve given the disc an extensive look to see if it gives enough bang for buck to make the purchase worth it.
Based on the novel of the same name byJason Matthews,Red Sparrowtakes place in contemporary Russia and tells the story of a young woman named Dominika (Lawrence) who, after being raped and witnessing an assassination, is forced into joining the Red Sparrow program. Red Sparrow is a real program that existed in which young Russians were trained to use sexuality as a weapon in espionage. Sent on a mission of great importance to root out a mole, Dominika crosses paths with a CIA operative named Nate Nash (Joel Edgerton), and her allegiance begins to waver.
This project was sought after by a number of filmmakers, includingDavid FincherandDarren Aronofsky, and was a surprising choice of material for Francis Lawrence, who did an admirable job helming the final threeHunger Gamesfilms. He turns out to be perfect for this material, as he essentially crafts a spy thriller about sexual assault survival that takes various twists and turns that are character-motivated instead of simply driving the plot. This is the story of a woman who was raped, and who attempts to find ways to feel in control of her body and her life, all the while working in the field as a Russian sex spy.
The film contains graphic violence and nudity, but refrains from ever becoming gratuitous. It’s all in service of the story, and Jennifer Lawrence does a terrific job of bringing a complexity and dynamism to the character of Dominika that keeps the audience second-guessing her allegiance. Essentially, Francis Lawrence got away with making an intense and thoughtful sexual assault drama wrapped in the packaging of a $70 million spy thriller. It’s elegant and gorgeous and thrilling no doubt, but also deeply affecting as a sexual assault survival story. It’s one of the year’s underrated gems that hopefully finds an audience on home video.
Bonus Features
As opposed to other films that have less-than-stellar theatrical box office receipts, the Blu-ray forRed Sparrowis actually quite dense. It includes a meaty feature-length audio commentary from Francis Lawrence, as well as over an hour’s worth of behind-the-scenes featurettes that delve into the film’s development, casting, filming, and post-production. Lawrence offers some great insight here into his filmmaking process, and the post-production featurette is a must-watch for cinephiles. There’s also over 12 minutes of deleted scenes with optional commentary from Francis Lawrence.
Is It Worth the 4K Upgrade?
Absolutely.Jo Willem’s cinematography is dense with shadows and darkness, and the 4K really allows the contrast to pop onscreen. The visual flair here is very much inspired by Fincher’sThe Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but Lawrence and Willems find their own groove that’s accentuated by darkness. This film really benefits from the 4K upgrade, which also includes a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
So if you saw the film and enjoyed it, the 4K upgrade is worth it if you’re looking to own the movie. And if you missedRed Sparrowbut are intrigued about a blind buy, I’d definitely recommend the 4K version to get the best presentation possible.
Red Sparrowis now available on 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD.
