Mission: Impossible – Rouge Nation – 4K UHD Review

Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise once again join forces in Mission: Impossible – Rouge Nation. This action-packed, espionage thriller delivers a fresh dose of engaging intelligence and heart-pounding excitement that fans have come to expect from the series. Now available in 4K UHD, the film takes the adventure to new heights, offering viewers a visually stunning experience with its remarkable Dolby Vision presentation and captivating Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Accompanied by an impressive set of supplementary materials, this release proves that the IMF agents are far from relics of the past, showcasing their skills in the covert world of Ultra HD through a breathtaking HEVC H.265 encoding.

One of the most significant improvements over its HD SDR predecessor is the enhanced contrast and brightness levels, resulting in exceptional clarity and balance throughout every scene. The imagery is enhanced with crisp, brilliant whites, giving certain vehicles and clothing a vibrant pop, while the fluffy clouds stand out against a picturesque blue sky. Spectacular highlights grace the edges of buildings and metallic surfaces, providing a realistic sparkle and showcasing intricate details. Whether capturing the cloudy skies of London or the brightest spots, the visuals impress with their rich blacks, preserving excellent visibility within the darkest shadows and adding depth to the 2.40:1 image. The torture chamber scene where Ethan meets Ilsa and the high-speed chase through Morocco showcase this superb balance, immersing audiences in the film’s cinematic quality.

The 4K UHD presentation takes the definition and resolution to a new level, delighting even the most dedicated 1080p enthusiasts. While not a drastic leap from the already impressive Blu-ray counterpart, the difference is noticeable. Revealing sharper lines, cleaner details, and improved clarity in various elements such as building walls, signs, screens, and intricately decorated rooms. The film is shot using a combination of traditional 35mm and high-resolution digital cameras, the picture remains highly detailed even during fast-paced action sequences like the motorcycle race in Morocco. Although there may be occasional minor dips in resolution and slight aliasing, the overall 2160p transfer shines with a natural layer of grain, exuding a film-like appeal that enhances the viewing experience.

The Dolby Vision HDR presentation brings a comprehensive and vibrant array of colors to life, particularly emphasizing the primaries, which appear fuller and more radiant. Despite the stylized teal-orange cinematography by Robert Elswit, the scenes in Vienna and Morocco burst with a sumptuous display of deep rose reds, vibrant oranges, and earthy browns, accentuating the buildings, opera stage, costumes, and local surroundings. The distinct color differences between Ilsa’s canary yellow dress, the golden butter drapes on the opera stage, and the warm dandelion lighting in interior scenes are particularly striking. The CIA offices are bathed in cold, steely cerulean blues, while Morocco emanates sultry, amber earth tones. Additionally, facial complexions exhibit a lifelike rosy-peach texture, contributing to a healthy and accurate appearance.

Visuals Review: 4.5/5

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack accompanies the stunning visuals and engulfs viewers in a captivating audio experience. While the atmospheric effects primarily occupy the surroundings, breathing life into quieter, dialogue-driven scenes, they also expand the sound field during exhilarating action sequences. There are times when the audio elements move into the overhead speakers, showcasing excellent directionality and fluid panning, but these moments are relatively infrequent. Mission: Impossible – Rouge Nation’s track strength lies in its extensive and detailed mid-range, accompanied by well-prioritized vocals throughout. The track delivers a gratifying low-end, impressing with impactful explosions and rumbling sensations during intense scenes like the airplane in Minsk and the underwater chamber in Morocco.

Audio Review: 4.5/5

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Christopher McQuarrie seamlessly continues Ethan Hunt’s journey against formidable terrorist organizations, picking up shortly after the events of Ghost Protocol. Tom Cruise delivers a compelling performance as the emotionally-driven super-secret agent, blending classic spy thriller elements with modern, technology-focused action. This fusion results in a highly satisfying cinematic experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. With its stunning Dolby Vision presentation, the film elevates the franchise to new visual heights on 4K UHD Blu-ray, surpassing its HD SDR predecessor and enticing even the most dedicated Blu-ray enthusiasts. Accompanied by the same outstanding Dolby Atmos soundtrack and a collection of bonus features, this package is a must-have for fans of the franchise and UHD enthusiasts craving more HDR excellence.

9.0/10

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