There’s nothing more special for a movie buff than rediscovering a film that you hadn’t watched in years, only to find out that it’s just as thrilling and entertaining as you remember. Movies offer a window into the past, not only for visions of Hollywood’s antiquity, but also reflections of our own history. It’s this nostalgia that often fuels our fandom and continued movie consumption.Often, the movies with the biggest and boldest action sequences are the ones that spark our sense of adventure and endure in our memories forever. No one from my generation will ever forget the speedy trench run along the Death Star’s surface or the T-100’s battle with the liquid-metal Terminator in the steel mill.
So, why not make sure that your favorite films of yesteryear are presented in the best modern format possible? 4K upgrades have taken further serve to preserve classic films in the modern age. But only some of the best 4K UHD remasters are notable for exceptional clarity, colors, and image brilliance amid the most explosive action sequences. If you’re a fan of swashbuckling action films, then you should easily consider upgrading these three movies for their stellar 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation.
Die Hard (1988)
An action Christmas classic
Yippee Ki-Yay, movie fiends. This film has left an incredible legacy not only on Bruce Willis’s career, but also on the action genre as a whole. In recent years, it’s even been front and center during the Christmas season, with many considering it a true-blue action Christmas viewing tradition. Although the film first hit theaters in 1988, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone, including younger generations, who doesn’t recognize John McClane or know exactly what Nakatomi Plaza is. The events of the film are jokingly spoken of as a real historical moment by many.
So, maybe this Christmas season, consider picking up the 4K UHD Blu-ray of this classic. You’ll undoubtedly notice greater detail, including textures and the fun throwback background appliances and furniture of the 80s. The color receives a vibrant boost as it is graded in HDR10, which becomes really effective during explosive sequences or muzzle flashes. This punch truly enhances the action. Thankfully, the 4K UHD remaster still retains the film grain, making this experience retain its classic 35mm film character. Don’t sleep on this enhanced experience.
Die Hard
- Release Date
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July 15, 1988
- Runtime
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132 minutes
- Director
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John McTiernan
Predator (1987)
The jungle does look alive
“If it bleeds, we can kill it.” Perhaps the most astute observation in action movie history. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch leads a band of commandos into the South American jungle with a clear objective in mind. However, they never once suspected that an alien hunter would begin picking them off one by one. Predator is a pop culture highlight as the 1987 film introduced one of sci-fi cinema’s gnarliest movie monsters. The Predator has continued to endure to this day, with new films expanding the lore still in development. The 4K UHD transfer has restored film grain and removed the DNR (Digital Noise Reduction) from the previous Blu-ray edition, which smoothed over the image and removed finer details. Colors are incredible and really pop, especially during sequences with the Predator’s heat vision. This is truly the best way to watch this action classic.
Predator
- Release Date
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June 12, 1987
- Runtime
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107 minutes
- Director
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John McTiernan
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Production value is a real highlight in this 4K presentation
One of the greatest action-adventure movies of the 80s is indisputably Raiders of the Lost Ark. Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones takes us on a wild adventure where he attempts to seize the coveted lost ark of biblical fame before the Nazis. The boulder chase sequence is one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history. The entire Indiana Jones saga is well-known for its incredibly striking set pieces. But Raiders of the Lost Ark did it first and, as a result, is the most memorable in the franchise. The 4K UHD Blu-ray remaster enhances the production value that went into this production, making every scene and location a glorious fantasy. The 4K edition actually sees a significant quality enhancement over the Blu-ray editions. The film is sourced directly from 4K scans of the original film, which serves to enhance the integrity of the original capture and preserve it for home audiences. It’s native 4K at its finest. This is one of my absolute favorite 4K Blu-ray transfers.
