The Amateur 4K Ultra HD

In "The Amateur," Charlie Heller (Rai Malek) is a brilliant, but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA working out of a basement office at headquarters in Langley whose life is turned upside down when his wife, Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan), is killed in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence servig as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge. (Gary Reber)

Special features include the featurettes: "The Team" (HD 09:51), "The World" (HD 06"48), "The Pool" (HD 06:13) and "The Score" (HD 06:01); five deleted scenes (HD 04:50) and a Movies Anywhere digital copy.

The 2.39:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed digitally in anamorphic ALFA Scope using the Arri Alexa Mini camera system and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Picture quality is excellent, The settings are diverse, not only in CIA offices, but world capitals, such as London, Paris, Instanbul, Madrid, Romania and on the Baltic Sea. Color fidelity exhibits rich and warm hues that are perfectly saturated within a wide color gamut. At times, during cityscapes colors pop. Flesh tones are perfectly natural. The picture's imagery is realistic throughout. HDR contrast is is excellent. Black levels are deep and natural. Shadow delineation is revealing. White levels are realistic. The imagery is sharp and clear with realistic resolution exhibited in facial features, clothing, structures and object textures. Everything appears natural and realistic, as well as sharp and detailed, This is an intriguing visual experience that intensifies the suspense. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack sounds dynamic with lots of action that is supported with sound effects. Atmospherics sound realistic throughout, Sound effects are often enhanced with bass transients and deep bass extension from .1 LFE engagement. Foley sound effects are quite active and in perfect sync with picture. Outdoor sequences provide consistent surround engagement of the side and rear channels for ambient environmental effects envelopment. Volker Bertelmann's orchestral score is dynamic and exciting with sharp rhythmic and bass foundations. The music is spread wide ann deep across the soundstage with aggressive surround envelopment. Surround energy is supportively enveloping. Dialogue throughout is intelligible and clear with generally satisfying spatial integration.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of an extension of the orchestral score to the height layer as well as a couple instances with an AI elevator voice and an announcement on an airplane, plus the sound of church bells, the glass cracking breakup of the pool, a warning siren and a helicopter. Other than that the filmmakers neglected to apply a height sound elements of which the potential is there throughout.

This is an exciting and mysterious holosonic® soundtrack with realistic atmospherics and supportive sound effects and music. (Gary Reber)