‘Narc’ 4K UHD Review (Arrow Video)
Stars: Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Chi McBride, Dan Leis, Lloyd Adams, Lina Giornofelice, A.C. Peterson, Karen Robinson | Written and Directed by Joe Carnahan
Joe Carnahan has directed some really exciting films during his career including Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane; Smokin’ Aces; The A-Team and The Grey; and he also wrote and directed several episodes for the NBC television series The Blacklist. In 2002, just after producing, writing and directing Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane, he brought audiences his third film, Narc.
Narc is a neo-noir crime thriller directed and written by Joe Carnahan and starring Ray Liotta and the grandson of ‘The Great One’ Jackie Gleason, Jason Patric. This month Arrow Video have taken this film to an ultra-level with the physical media release in 4K.
In wintry Detroit, narcotics cop Nick Tellis (Jason Patric, The Lost Boys) is recovering from an undercover operation gone wrong. In the hopes of being assigned a quiet desk job, he agrees to return to active duty and partner up with Detective Henry Oak (Ray Liotta, Goodfellas) to investigate the apparent murder of Oak’s former partner. As both men become lost in the depths of the case, boundaries become blurred, and their relationship begins to vacillate between intensely personal and unsettlingly suspicious.
Even though Narc is Joe Carnahan’s first studio-financed film, the gritty film we all knew and loved in Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane is still on full violent display here. But in addition to the gritty neo-noir feel, we get tremendous performances by Ray Liotta and Jason Patric, as well as the rest of the entire cast!
Arrow Video has transferred Narc to 4k UltraHD in 2160P 4K Ultra HD in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. There are two audio tracks. There is an English DTS-HD Master Audio and a Dolby TrueHD/Atmos. Finally, there is the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. This transfer is from a new 4K scan from the original camera negative, and Narc really benefits from this 4K scan. The film is crisp and the audio is clear. There are no signs of damage, dirt, debris or digital artefacts. Fans of Narc are going to love the way this film looks in Ultra HD. But with the deluxe set there is so much more included…
Special Features:
DISC ONE – FEATURE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
- 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Newly restored original stereo audio and Dolby Atmos surround audio
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
- Archival feature commentary with director Joe Carnahan and editor John Gilroy
- Brand new introduction from director Joe Carnahan
DISC TWO – EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)
- Shattering the Blue Line, a newly filmed interview with director Joe Carnahan
- Shooting Narc, a newly filmed interview with director of photography Alex Nepomniaschy
- If You Live Another Day, a newly filmed interview with actor Krista Bridges
- The Journey of the Costume, a newly filmed interview with costume designer Gersha Phillips
- Making the Deal, a vintage promotional featurette looking at the making of the film
- The Visual Trip, a vintage promotional featurette looking at the look of the film
- The Friedkin Connection, a vintage promotional featurette interviewing William Friedkin and discussing the connections between his body of work and Narc
- Shooting Up, a vintage promotional featurette looking at the making of the film
- Vintage EPK interviews with Joe Carnahan, Ray Liotta, Jason Patric, Diane Nabatoff, Alex Nepomniaschy and William Friedkin
- Theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
Bonus Materials:
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
- Double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh
- Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Michelle Kisner, a new interview with producer Diane Nabatoff and archival interviews and articles
Arrow Video went above and beyond with extras here, as you can see, with interviews, featurettes, commentaries and so much more. I particularly love the new artwork. It looks like something that should be in your graphic novel collection. Very cool! There is no denying that Narc is a dark adventure filled with profanity, violence, sexual content and drugs. But if you love the neo-noir genre and/or the films of Joe Carnahan, Arrow Video’s 4K release of Narc is for you.
***** 5/5
Narc is out now from Arrow Video.
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