As 4K TVs reach more affordable prices, 4K Blu-rays are becoming the norm. With many classics being re-released with 4K transfers, there's an ever-growing choice of great movies to re-watch -- or to experience for the first time -- in the best possible quality. If you're in the mood for an action movie and looking for something to test your home theater setup, here are five great 4K action movies to check out.
John Wick's Neon Lights Really Pop With 4K HDR
Being the most recent movie on this list, the John Wick franchise looks incredibly sharp in 4K, with John Wick's detailed face and suit creases being noticeable right away. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, especially, is full of neon lights against a dark sky, making the colors really pop. Since much of the John Wick movies are dark, the blacks are perfectly enhanced and deepened with the use of 4K HDR.
The John Wick movies are among the best modern action movies, and now's the best time to check them out in stunning 4K as numerous John Wick movies and spin-offs are planned for the future.
Mad Max: Fury Road Is Explosive in 4K
Mad Max: Fury Road is definitely a unique movie, with almost the entire film featuring one long car chase. As the entirety of the movie takes place in a desert, the sand really gives the 4K sharpness a chance to shine. And despite the movie not featuring a huge range of colors, the yellow desert really looks stunning against the clear blue sky, making for some very stand-out visuals. The deep-blue nights and bright explosions also benefit from the 4K transfer, as the HDR really makes the colors contrast.
The 4K Blu-ray for Mad Max: Fury Road also features a black and white version of the movie. Though not recommended for a first time watch, it definitely adds a new viewing experience worth checking out.
The Dark Knight Rises Is the Best of the Trilogy in 4K
Director Christopher Nolan has always been sure to make his movies a visual spectacle, often favoring the use of IMAX cameras for wide shots that encompass the entire screen. While each movie of the Dark Knight Trilogy looks great, The Dark Knight Rises stands out as the best looking of them all. As expected from a Batman movie, deep blacks are common throughout, making Batman feel as intimidating as ever. But The Dark Knight Rises also has a lot of snow in the second half, which again really pops in 4K.
While The Dark Knight Rises is the best looking, all three movies of Nolan's epic trilogy can be purchased together in a 4K bundle, which is highly recommended.
The Matrix's 4K Transfer Looks Better Than Ever
With the upcoming The Matrix Resurrections, now's as good a time as any to watch The Matrix in 4K. With so many dark scenes, the HDR really shines throughout this movie, especially highlighting the iconic green hue. As the 4K Blu-ray has been directly transferred from the original 35mm film, The Matrix looks so clear that you could assume it was filmed today. The CGI also looks as good as ever, despite the CGI in older movies often looking more noticeable in 4K.
While the first movie is the most popular, all three Matrix films are worth watching in preparation of the newest sequel, so it's worth purchasing the 4K bundle.
Saving Private Ryan Is More Detailed Than Ever in 4K
Renowned as one of the best war movies ever made, Saving Private Ryan excels in showing the gritty realism of war. This realism is enhanced even more with the 4K Blu-ray, with the picture looking sharper than ever. The opening beach scene alone is enough for 4K to flex off what it's capable off, with every soldier being enhanced and close-ups looking incredibly detailed. A layer of film grain is layered overtop, which some people tend to dislike; however, Saving Private Ryan uses it just enough to give the gritty WWII feeling without losing any detail.
If you've never experienced this classic World War II spectacle, this is absolutely the best way to do so.