Atomic Blonde shares a lot of action DNA with films like the John Wick series, which should be no surprise since one of the John Wick directors created this film as well. However, where John Wick was a fantastical look at modern-day 鈥渁ssassin societies,鈥 this is a comic book adaptation of spy shenanigans during the Soviet collapse and carries a very distinctive 80s vibe.
As a 4K disc, Atomic Blonde has a lot of good stuff going for it. While the initial impression may be this will be a colorless, desaturated movie like a lot of modern cinema, the 4K HDR makes itself known both in the details and textures of people, but most notably in the neon. Charlize Theron鈥檚 character cruises through the hotels, clubs, and bars of the 80s of West Berlin, and when she does, it鈥檚 through neon, club lighting, and darkness, all of which hold up great in HDR with a vibrancy and color tone you just don鈥檛 get in SDR.
The audio is also a big surprise. You鈥檇 expect some DTS X (DTS equivalent of Dolby Atmos) craziness from the action sequences, and you do get that, but the audio really delivers on the music presentation. The 80s track moves around the soundstage in interesting ways; the bass is unrelenting, with some standouts, like Marilyn Manson鈥檚 Stigmata, making you feel like you鈥檙e in a nightclub. If you鈥檙e a fan of 80s music, this Dolby Atmos mix is a fun way to experience some iconic tunes.
For extras, this covers all the basics. There鈥檚 a commentary, and a few features, none of which are over 10 minutes. So, while it鈥檚 not comprehensive, it鈥檚 not anything either. All in all, if you鈥檙e a fan of this movie or just want to enjoy a fun film with a strong female character kicking butt in an 80s setting, with pulse-pounding music and some truly brutal fights, add this to your collection.